Francis Ford Coppola to receive AFI Life Achievement Award at 50th Ceremony in 2025
Director Francis Ford Coppola places his handprints in cement during a ceremony in the forecourt of the TCL Chinese theatre in Hollywood. PHOTO: REUTERS
Francis Ford Coppola, known for masterpieces like The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now, has been named the 50th recipient of the prestigious AFI Life Achievement Award. The American Film Institute (AFI) announced the honor, which will be presented to Coppola at a gala tribute at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 26, 2025. This accolade is AFI’s highest honor, awarded to film figures whose contributions have fundamentally advanced the art of cinema.
“Francis Ford Coppola is a peerless artist...inspiring generations of filmmakers with his independent spirit,” remarked Kathleen Kennedy, AFI Board of Trustees chair. Coppola, a six-time Academy Award-winning director, writer, and producer, has an acclaimed portfolio, including The Conversation, The Outsiders, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. His latest work, Megalopolis, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and has had a global theatrical release this fall.
Coppola’s impact extends beyond his filmography, as the co-founder of American Zoetrope with George Lucas. He mentored filmmakers and helped launch the careers of actors like Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Diane Keaton. Notably, three of his films rank among AFI’s “100 Years… 100 Movies” list.
Since 1973, the AFI Life Achievement Award has honored individuals whose careers have significantly influenced the film industry. Past honorees include Nicole Kidman, Denzel Washington, and George Clooney. This year’s event will be televised on TNT, with encore broadcasts on Turner Classic Movies (TCM).