American Film Institute
The
American Film Institute (
AFI) is an independent
non-profit organization created by the
National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 when President
Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act.
George Stevens, Jr., was the first CEO and Director. In 1980
Jean Picker Firstenberg became Director and CEO, a position she still holds.
The American Film Institute focuses on training through hands-on experience with established figures in the
AFI Conservatory, as well as on preserving old film, which is subject to degradation of its
film stock. In spite of its name, AFI does not focus exclusively on
film, but also on
television and
video.
In 1973, the AFI established a
Life Achievement Award.
In 1998, the 100th anniversary of American film, AFI began its
100 Years... series, celebrating and promoting interest in film history.
They recently opened the
AFI Silver theatre in
Silver Spring, Maryland near
Washington, D.C.*
AFI 100 Years... series*
AFI Awards 2005*
AFI Awards 2004*
AFI Awards 2003*
AFI Awards 2002*
AFI Awards 2001*
Finnish Film Foundation*
American Film Institute's 50 Greatest Screen Legends*
AFI Website*
History of AFI*
AFI Fest (AFI Los Angeles Film Festival) Official Website*
AFI Los Angeles Film Festival - History and Information
