Francis Ford Coppola will be the 50th recipient of the American Film Institute (AFI) Life Achievement Award, America’s highest honor for a career in film. The award will be presented to Coppola at a Gala Tribute at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 26, 2025.
“Francis Ford Coppola is a peerless artist–one who has created seminal works in the canon of American film, and has also inspired generations of filmmakers who now embody his artistry and his independent spirit,” said Kathleen Kennedy, chair of the AFI Board of Trustees. “AFI is honored to present him with the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award.”
Coppola’s The Godfather, The Godfather Part II and Apocalypse Now are ranked among history’s greatest films in AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies list. He is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of our time; a six-time Academy Award®-winning (including the Board of Governors’ Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award) director, writer and producer of such films as Patton, The Godfather Trilogy, American Grffiti, The Conversation, Apocalypse Now, The Outsiders, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and his latest epic, Megalopolis.
As the co-founder of American Zoetrope with George Lucas, Coppola initiated and nourished the careers of talents such as Carroll Ballard, John Milius, Sofia Coppola, and actors Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, James Caan, Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfus, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Matt Dillon and Diane Lane. As a writer, director, producer and technological pioneer, he created a body of work that has helped shape contemporary American cinema. Coppola’s latest film Megalopolis is a Roman epic set in modern times with an all-star cast including Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne and Aubrey Plaza. This year, the film made its world premiere to a 10-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, and was released theatrically and in IMAX globally earlier this fall.
The AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute special will return for its 10th year with Turner Broadcasting to air on TNT, followed by encore presentations on Turner Classic Movies (TCM).
AFI Life Achievement Award Recipients
The 50th AFI Life Achievement Award honoree joins an esteemed group of individuals who have been chosen for this distinguished honor since its inception.
1973 John Ford
1974 James Cagney
1975 Orson Welles
1976 William Wyler
1977 Bette Davis
1978 Henry Fonda
1979 Alfred Hitchcock
1980 James Stewart
1981 Fred Astaire
1982 Frank Capra
1983 John Huston
1984 Lillian Gish
1985 Gene Kelly
1986 Billy Wilder
1987 Barbara Stanwyck
1988 Jack Lemmon
1989 Gregory Peck
1990 David Lean
1991 Kirk Douglas
1992 Sidney Poitier
1993 Elizabeth Taylor
1994 Jack Nicholson
1995 Steven Spielberg
1996 Clint Eastwood
1997 Martin Scorsese
1998 Robert Wise
1999 Dustin Hoffman
2000 Harrison Ford
2001 Barbra Streisand
2002 Tom Hanks
2003 Robert De Niro
2004 Meryl Streep
2005 George Lucas
2006 Sean Connery
2007 Al Pacino
2008 Warren Beatty
2009 Michael Douglas
2010 Mike Nichols
2011 Morgan Freeman
2012 Shirley MacLaine
2013 Mel Brooks
2014 Jane Fonda
2015 Steve Martin
2016 John Williams
2017 Diane Keaton
2018 George Clooney
2019 Denzel Washington
2022 Julie Andrews
2024 Nicole Kidman
Directors Melissa Bolton-Klinger and Sasie Sealy Join Honor Society For Spots, Branded Content
Production company Honor Society has added directors Melissa Bolton-Klinger and Sasie Sealy to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. Bolton-Klinger, a director and creative director, brings a diverse portfolio of commercial, TV and film work to her new roost. Her background in improv at L.A.’s The Groundlings informs her fast-paced, sharp, and humorous directing style. She also has a finely honed expertise with celebrity talent and complex shoots. Bolton-Klinger, who was awarded a Grand Clio for her work with Reno 911, kicked off her collaborative efforts at Honor Society with projects for Coffee Mate and Future Forward. She said, “I’m so excited to be joining the Honor Society crew. They’re all about supporting women and taking creative risks, which is exactly where I thrive. With [Honor Society founder and EP] Megan Kelly leading the charge, it’s the ideal spot for me to use my comedic and celebrity-infused powers for good. I’m looking forward to crafting more work that not only gets laughs but leaves a lasting impact.” Prior to joining Honor Society, Bolton-Klinger was repped by production studio Slim. Meanwhile Sealy, who had earlier been repped by production house Bullitt, is an award-winning writer/director celebrated for her striking visuals and witty, original scripts. Her debut feature film Lucky Grandma premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival to critical acclaim and was included in multiple “Best of 2020” lists, such as Indiewire and New York Magazine. Named one of “9 Filmmakers Who Should Be on Your Radar” by The New York Times, Sealy has had her work recognized for its bold, humorous take on the female experience. Her commercial work spans... Read More