In a refreshing departure from typical awards season tension, the American Film Institute (AFI) hosted its annual celebratory luncheon for 2026's honourees in Beverly Hills. The exclusive, invitation-only event on Friday, 9 January 2026, brought together the creative forces behind the year's most acclaimed films and television programmes for a day of shared recognition.
A Ceremony Without Losers
The AFI Awards are unique in Hollywood's crowded calendar, as they deliberately honour entire creative teams without pitting nominees against each other. There were no acceptance speeches and no sealed envelopes to create suspense. Instead, the ceremony featured eloquently written tributes for each honoured project, followed by curated clips that placed the work within a wider cultural and artistic framework. AFI President Bob Gazzale addressed the star-studded room, reinforcing the institute's core philosophy of collaborative achievement where everyone leaves a winner.
A Star-Studded Gathering of Honourees
The ballroom buzzed with relaxed camaraderie as industry giants mingled freely. Filmmaking legend Steven Spielberg was seen deep in conversation with director Ryan Coogler, who was accompanied by his wife and producer, Zinzi Coogler. Michael B. Jordan worked the room, exchanging warm greetings with fellow honourees like "Bugonia" star Jesse Plemons and "Task" actor Mark Ruffalo. A notable reunion occurred between visionary directors James Cameron and Guillermo del Toro.
Elsewhere, Leonardo DiCaprio stood alongside Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and actors Benicio del Toro and Edward James Olmos. Actress Chase Infiniti watched from her table, looking towards her "One Battle After Another" co-stars. The convivial atmosphere extended to the red carpet, where George Clooney, with "Death by Lightning" actor Nick Offerman, shared a laugh with a photographer, setting a lighthearted tone for the afternoon.
The Honoured Films and Television Programmes
The AFI Awards recognised a diverse slate of cinematic and television excellence for 2026. The films celebrated were:
- "Avatar: Fire and Ash"
- "Bugonia"
- "Frankenstein"
- "Hamnet"
- "Jay Kelly"
- "Marty Supreme"
- "One Battle After Another"
- "Sinners"
- "Train Dreams"
- "Wicked: For Good"
The television shows honoured included "Adolescence", "Andor", "Death by Lightning", "The Diplomat", "The Lowdown", "The Pitt", "Severance", "The Studio", and "Task".
A Fitting Finale from a Comedy Icon
The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt benediction from the legendary Carol Burnett. Reflecting on her lifelong passion for the industry, she praised the collective effort of storytelling. "I've never lost the deep respect and love that I have for all the stories we tell through cinema and television and by all of those behind and in front of the camera," Burnett stated. "Creative collaboration has always remained at the heart of our work, and AFI brings us all together. The world is a better place for having heard your voices."
The event also featured AFI's traditional March of Time video montage, a sweeping retrospective of cinematic and television history that connected the year's honourees to the enduring legacy of the medium.
