Danielle Solzman
The American Film Institute marked their 20th year of honoring excellence by announcing top AFI honorees in both film and television.
AFI AWARDS honorees include 10 outstanding films and 10 outstanding TV programs deemed culturally and artistically representative of this year’s most significant achievements in the art of the moving image. In addition to the 20 honorees, AFI also recognizes PARASITE and FLEABAG with an AFI Special Award, designated for a work of excellence outside the Institute’s criteria for American film and television.
All of the honored works advance the art of the moving image, inspire audiences and artists alike, enhance the rich cultural heritage of America’s art form and make a mark on American society. When placed in an historical context, these stories provide a complex and rich visual record of our modern world.
AFI MOTION PICTURES OF THE YEAR
1917
THE FAREWELL
THE IRISHMAN
JOJO RABBIT
JOKER
KNIVES OUT
LITTLE WOMEN
MARRIAGE STORY
ONCE UPON A TIME IN…HOLLYWOOD
RICHARD JEWELL
SPECIAL AWARD
PARASITE
AFI TELEVISION PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR
CHERNOBYL
THE CROWN
FOSSE/VERDON
GAME OF THRONES
POSE
SUCCESSION
UNBELIEVABLE
VEEP
WATCHMEN
WHEN THEY SEE US
SPECIAL AWARD
FLEABAG
The award selections are decided through a jury process. This jury is made up of AFI Trustees, scholars, artists and critics as they determine the year’s most outstanding achievements.
This year’s juries — one for film and one for television — featured acclaimed artists including Emmy-nominated actor John Amos, Emmy-nominated director Lesli Linka Glatter, Oscar-winning writer Callie Khouri, Tony-nominated actor Delroy Lindo and Emmy-nominated director Betty Thomas; renowned authors and scholars representing prestigious universities with recognized motion picture arts and television programs; film historian Leonard Maltin; the AFI Board of Trustees; and film and television critics from media outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, NPR, Rolling Stone, TV Guide and Variety. The juries were chaired by AFI Board of Trustees Vice Chairs Tom Pollock (former Vice Chairman of MCA, Chairman of Universal Pictures) for film and Richard Frank (former Chairman of Walt Disney Television, President of Walt Disney Studios, President of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) for television.
