AFI Awards 2026 Unites Stars and Creative Talent in Beverly Hills

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

The 2026 AFI Awards, hosted by the American Film Institute, brought together a gathering of filmmakers and stars for an exclusive luncheon in Beverly Hills this past Friday.

Different from conventional awards, the AFI event honors entire creative teams, spotlighting contributions from both in front of and behind the camera. The ceremony did away with competitive categories, acceptance speeches, and envelopes, creating an atmosphere where everyone felt celebrated.

Bob Gazzale, the AFI President, addressed attendees, highlighting the importance of recognizing shared storytelling across both film and television. The event featured heartfelt tributes honoring the projects, accompanied by brief clips that contextualized the nominated works within a larger cultural narrative.

Hollywood luminaries were in attendance, with Steven Spielberg engaging in conversation with filmmaker Ryan Coogler and producer Zinzi Coogler. Michael B. Jordan exchanged greetings with fellow honorees such as Jesse Plemons and Mark Ruffalo. James Cameron and Guillermo del Toro were also seen catching up.

Leonardo DiCaprio was spotted alongside Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, sharing the moment with actors Benicio del Toro and Edward James Olmos. George Clooney enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere, sharing laughs with photographers alongside Nick Offerman from “Death by Lightning.” The spirit of the afternoon was warm and joyful.

Films Recognized at AFI Awards 2026

• Avatar: Fire and Ash

• Bugonia

• Frankenstein

• Hamnet

• Jay Kelly

• Marty Supreme

• One Battle After Another

• Sinners

• Train Dreams

• Wicked: For Good

Television Shows Celebrated

• Adolescence

• Andor

• Death by Lightning

• The Diplomat

• The Lowdown

• The Pitt

• Severance

• The Studio

• Task

The conclusion of the event featured a benediction from the legendary Carol Burnett, who celebrated the honorees and reminisced about her enduring passion for film and television, emphasizing teamwork in storytelling.

Attendees also enjoyed AFI’s signature March of Time video montage, highlighting iconic moments from cinematic history and positioning this year's honorees in the ongoing legacy of the artform.