LOS ANGELES -- (SPW) --

AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES
AFI AWARDS 2016 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

The Year's Most Outstanding Achievements
in Motion Pictures and Television

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, December 8, 2016, LOS ANGELES, CA — The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the Official Selections of AFI AWARDS 2016, 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 O.J.: MADE IN AMERICA with an AFI Special Award.

An almanac documenting works of excellence, AFI AWARDS is the only national honor for the entertainment community's creative teams as a whole, recognizing the collaborative nature of the art form. 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. 

"Year after year, we are reminded of the power of artists to bring us together as one," said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. "AFI AWARDS is proud to recognize the achievements of the storytelling teams who have enlightened and informed us, guided and inspired us, and ultimately invited us to empathize with others in a reminder of our common humanity."

AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR

ARRIVAL
FENCES
HACKSAW RIDGE
HELL OR HIGH WATER
LA LA LAND
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
MOONLIGHT
SILENCE
SULLY
ZOOTOPIA

AFI TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR

THE AMERICANS
ATLANTA
BETTER CALL SAUL
THE CROWN
GAME OF THRONES
THE NIGHT OF
THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
STRANGER THINGS
THIS IS US
VEEP

AFI SPECIAL AWARD

O.J.: MADE IN AMERICA

Marking the 17th chapter in the American Film Institute's ongoing chronicle of the moving image in the 21st century, the 2016 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 in which AFI Trustees, scholars, artists and critics determine the most outstanding achievements of the year and provide a contextual rationale for each selection.

This year's juries — one for film and one for television — were chaired by producers and 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 award-winning artists such as Elizabeth Banks, Robert Benton, Diane English, Jon Hamm, Michelle King, Lori McCreary, Rachel Morrison (AFI Class of 2006) and Patricia Riggen; renowned authors and scholars representing prestigious universities with recognized motion picture arts and television programs; film historians Mark Harris and Leonard Maltin; the AFI Board of Trustees; and film and television critics from media outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, MTV News, Rolling Stone, TV Guide, Variety and more.

In a noncompetitive atmosphere, honorees will gather on January 6, 2017, 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. The AFI AWARDS luncheon will be sponsored by Audi, a supporter of AFI and its programs for the past 13 years. The event's Patron of the Arts is Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, Vice President and Director of the Annenberg Foundation and founder of GRoW @ Annenberg. The event is also sponsored by American Airlines, the official airline of AFI. At the luncheon, AFI will present jury rationales providing artistic and cultural context for the selection of each honoree. Press coverage of the AFI AWARDS luncheon is strictly by invitation only. Photos will be available online through AFI immediately following the event.

About the American Film Institute
AFI is America's promise to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers.  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 motion pictures and television programs 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; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world-renowned AFI Conservatory. 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. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. The Audi Group delivered over 1,800,000 vehicles to customers globally in 2015, and broke all-time company sales records for the 6th straight year in the U.S. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusa.com/newsroom for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.

About GRoW @ Annenberg
GRoW @ Annenberg is the philanthropic initiative led by Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, Vice President and Director of the Annenberg Foundation. GRoW is dedicated to supporting humanitarian efforts across the globe as well as innovative projects in health, education, the arts and civic & cultural life.
 

Contact:

Media:

Liza deVilla Ameen
AFI
323.856.7885
Contact Liza via email

Stephanie Sweeney
AFI
323.856.7871
Contact Stephanie via email