American Film Institute Announces AFI Awards 2017 Official Selections

The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the Official Selections of AFI AWARDS 2017, celebrating the year's most outstanding achievements in the art of the moving image — with 10 films and 10 television programs deemed culturally and artistically significant.

In addition to the 20 honorees, AFI also recognizes THE VIETNAM WAR with an AFI Special Award.

AFI AWARDS is a coveted honor for its noncompetitive celebration of collaboration. Honorees are selected based on works that advance the art of the moving image, enhance the rich cultural heritage of America's art form, inspire audiences and artists alike and make a mark on American society.

"At a time when the world seems defined by division, storytellers bring us together as one," said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. "AFI AWARDS is honored to celebrate this community of artists who challenge and inspire us, entertain and enlighten us — ultimately reminding us of our common heartbeat."


Call Me By Your Name Review – Beautiful; Well Crafted Story of Discovery

AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR
THE BIG SICK
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME
DUNKIRK
THE FLORIDA PROJECT
GET OUT
LADY BIRD
THE POST
THE SHAPE OF WATER
THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
WONDER WOMAN

AFI TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR
BIG LITTLE LIES
THE CROWN
FEUD: BETTE AND JOAN
GAME OF THRONES
THE GOOD PLACE
THE HANDMAID'S TALE
INSECURE
MASTER OF NONE
STRANGER THINGS 2
THIS IS US

AFI SPECIAL AWARD
THE VIETNAM WAR

Marking the 18th chapter in the American Film Institute's ongoing almanac of the moving image, the 2017 entries join a notable pantheon of previous AFI honorees — works of significance that contribute to the rich cultural legacy and define the state of the art form. View the complete almanac here.

AFI AWARDS selections are made through a jury process where AFI Trustees, scholars, artists and critics determine the year's most outstanding achievements and provide contextual rationales for each selection.


Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Review – Impressive, Powerful Character Driven Performances

This year's juries — one for film and one for television — 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. The juries featured acclaimed artists such as Judd Apatow*, Paris Barclay, Halle Berry, Jay Cassidy (AFI Class of 1976), Jamie Lee Curtis and Jennifer Getzinger (AFI Directing Workshop for Women, Class of 2005); 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 NPR, Rolling Stone, TV Guide, Variety and The Washington Post.

*Apatow recused himself from voting on THE BIG SICK, of which he is a producer.

In a noncompetitive atmosphere, honorees will gather on January 5, 2018, for recognition at the annual AFI AWARDS private luncheon in Los Angeles, CA — an event favored by the entertainment community for its informal intimacy and its inclusive acknowledgement of excellence. At the luncheon, AFI will present jury rationales providing artistic and cultural context for the selection of each honoree.

The AFI AWARDS luncheon will be sponsored by Audi, a supporter of AFI and its programs for the past 14 years. Earlier in 2017, as part of its pioneering commitment to AFI and to drive progress, Audi created the Audi Fellowship for Women to support one female director for her entire two-year AFI Conservatory enrollment. Also this year, Audi confirmed its renewed support of AFI through 2020.

The AFI AWARDS luncheon is also sponsored by American Airlines, the official airline of AFI.

About the American Film Institute
Celebrating its golden milestone, the American Film Institute began its mission on June 5, 1967 — to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. Established by Lyndon B. Johnson's presidential mandate in the White House Rose Garden, AFI is America's promise to educate today's audiences and tomorrow's artists. The Institute was anchored by a foundation of luminaries from the film community including Gregory Peck as Chair, Sidney Poitier as Vice Chair, George Stevens, Jr., as Director and CEO with board members Francis Ford Coppola, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., and Jack Valenti.

In 1969, AFI opened the Center for Advanced Film Studies, now called the AFI Conservatory, an elite MFA program whose inaugural class included Terrence Malick, Caleb Deschanel and Paul Schrader. The program's acclaimed film and television alumni include Andrea Arnold, Darren Aronofsky, Julie Dash, Patty Jenkins, Janusz Kamiński, David Lynch and Robert Richardson, among others.

In addition to the AFI Conservatory, AFI programs include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive, which preserve film heritage for future generations; the AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor for a career in film; AFI AWARDS, honoring the most outstanding movies and TV series of the year; AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies television events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI FEST presented by Audi, AFI DOCS and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center. For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm, facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute,

 instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.

About Audi
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi Group is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. In 2016, AUDI AG delivered about 1.871 million Audi automobiles and broke all-time company sales records for the seventh straight year in the U.S. Visit www.audiusa.comor media.audiusa.com for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.

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