activities · 7
what they do
direct service · 3
- Maintain and preserve the AFI Archive Film and Cinematic Arts PreservationPreserves over 1.5 million cinematic artifacts, including more than 24,000 audiovisual elements, and digitizes thousands of films and seminars to ensure long-term access and cultural preservation.
- Present AFI Life Achievement Award Film Industry Awards & HonorsHonors individuals with the AFI Life Achievement Award, a longstanding tradition celebrating contributions to film. The 50th award was presented to Francis Ford Coppola.
- Produce and present international film festivals and screenings Film Screenings & Festivals for Underrepresented ArtistsOrganizes large-scale public film exhibitions, including screening over 160 films from 56 countries and presenting more than 775 films to over 95,000 audience members annually.
research · 1
- Advance film scholarship and historical research Film and Cinematic Arts PreservationConducts and publishes scholarly research through initiatives like “Behind the Veil,” which added over 45,000 early film records to the AFI Catalog to highlight underrepresented contributors such as women and filmmakers of color.
capacity building · 3
- Deliver professional development through master seminars and pitch forumsHosts educational programs including over 36 Harold Lloyd Master Seminars with industry professionals and thesis pitch presentations by 10 AFI Conservatory teams to secure funding for new projects.
- Provide fellowships and scholarships for emerging filmmakers Performing Arts Training ScholarshipsOffers financial support to AFI Conservatory Fellows through scholarships and fellowships, including $1.7 million in distributed funding, the Richard Frank Scholarship (20 scholarships annually), and the Canva Fellowship ($240,000).
- Secure endowments and funding for education initiativesRaises and manages dedicated funds to support arts education, including $2.6 million for education and arts programs, a $400,000 endowment fund, and targeted scholarship campaigns.
strategies · 3
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Collaborative, full-cycle production training model collaborative production trainingTrains filmmakers through immersive, hands-on experience in all stages of filmmaking—from development to exhibition—by involving Fellows in collaborative, real-world production cycles to build comprehensive skills and industry readiness.
- Gender equity advancement in cinematic arts gender impact programAdvances equity in the film industry through a sustained initiative focused on increasing representation and opportunities for women and gender-diverse individuals in cinematic storytelling and leadership roles.
- Intergenerational mentorship in filmmaking intergenerational mentorshipStrengthens the filmmaking ecosystem by connecting established industry professionals with emerging talent through structured mentorship and seminars, fostering skill development, continuity, and diverse storytelling.
named programs · 13
what they call their work
AFI AWARDS
Celebrates the year's most outstanding achievements in film and television, and supports the Richard Frank Scholarship.
AFI Archive
Collects and preserves the heritage of the American Film Institute, filmmakers, and the art of motion pictures, including photographs, videos, and oral histories.
AFI Conservatory
One of the most prestigious film schools in the U.S., where over 175 films are made annually by AFI Fellows in a collaborative production environment; ranked among the top film schools in 2025
AFI DWW+
Directing Women’s Workshop+, a gender impact program supporting women and gender-diverse filmmakers; part of AFI’s long-standing commitment to inclusive storytelling
AFI Directing Workshop for Women (DWW+)
A long-running film and television workshop, now in its 51st year, supporting women directors.
AFI Festivals and Screenings
Includes events like Spanish Cinema Now!, Art Deco on Screen, Noir City DC, AFI Latin American Film Festival, AFI European Union Film Showcase, and AFI Silver After Dark.
AFI Life Achievement Award
Honors legendary figures in cinema, such as Francis Ford Coppola, for their contributions to the art form.
AFI Silver
State-of-the-art exhibition venue in the nation’s capital showcasing world cinema and classic films; hosts programs like AFI Latin American Film Festival and Noir City DC
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
A state-of-the-art film and digital media exhibition venue in Silver Spring, MD, showcasing new and classic films.
Behind the Veil
Three-year initiative to digitize and catalog over 45,000 short film records from the silent and early sound eras, highlighting contributions of women and filmmakers of color
Harold Lloyd Master Seminars
Year-round seminar series connecting emerging filmmakers with industry leaders; over three dozen held in 2025 featuring filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro and Chloé Zhao
Richard Frank Scholarship
Scholarship program funding 20 AFI Conservatory scholarships annually in honor of each AFI AWARDS honoree; has raised $200,000 to date
Thesis Pitch
An event where AFI Fellows present their thesis film pitches to filmmakers, alumni, and supporters, raising funds for their projects.
relationships · 3
who they work with
- AMC Networks Partner — Presented the AFI Conservatory Showcase.
- Canva Partner — Funded the Canva Fellowship for AFI Fellows.
- Richard Frank Partner — Benefactor and AFI Vice Chair who established the Richard Frank Scholarship.