AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE

Advancing and Preserving the Art of the Moving Image

Founded in 1967, the American Film Institute (AFI) is the pre-eminent US organization dedicated to advancing and preserving film, television and other forms of the moving image. AFI's programs promote innovation and excellence through teaching and training, presenting, preserving and redefining this art form.

At its prestigious Conservatory, AFI trains many of the world's most prominent filmmakers with alumni including directors Jon Avnet, Carl Franklin, Amy Heckerling and Ed Zwick. The AFI Conservatory is formally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Senior Colleges, universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges as well as the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

AFI has an extensive non-profit exhibition program in the US with over 3,000 film events throughout the year. The AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is a state-of-the-art complex, offering a year-round program of the best of American and international cinema, both classic and contemporary. Since 1987, AFI has been presenting the best new movies and moviemakers at its annual film festival (AFI FEST) in Los Angeles. AFI also holds other film programs throughout the year in a number of locations.

AFI is perhaps most recognizable to the public through its awards such as AFI's "Life Achievement Award", which recognizes a distinguished career in film and television. In 1998, it began its 100 Years series, an ongoing celebration of the first centennial of American movies, which raises worldwide interest in film history. AFI Almanac, established in 2000, records the current century in film arts and is the Institute's annual recognition of outstanding motion pictures and television programs along with the year's moments of significance.

AFI co-ordinates the preservation of America's film heritage through its AFI Film Collection (at the Library of Congress and other American archives), the American Film Institute Catalog of Feature Films (the definitive reference book on American film) and the AFI Silent Film Database, which features complete information about American silent feature films that are available for viewing on film, video and DVD. The AFI Catalog provides authenticated online information on every feature-length film produced in America or financed by American production companies.

AFI New Media Ventures (NMV) manages AFI's online and digital production, distribution and training activities. NMV has developed K-12 digital film-making coursework, student mentoring and teacher-training programs in the AFI Screen Education Center as well as online film studies. NMV conducts the AFI Enhanced Television Workshop, a prototype production program for professional television producers.

AFI is guided by a prestigious Board of Trustees chaired by Sir Howard Stringer and a Board of Directors chaired by Jon Avnet and John F. Cooke. It is comprised of key figures from the entertainment, business and academic communities and lead by long-time Director and CEO Jean Picker Firstenberg and Co-Director and COO James Hindman.

Further information about the AFI is available on its website at http://www.afi.com.