David Lynch honoured at AFI Awards

Ceremony began with tribute to late director

Originally slated for January 10 but delayed due to the Los Angeles wildfires, the American Film Institute's 2024 AFI Awards took place on Thursday afternoon at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, bringing together the biggest names in film and television for a star-studded event.

As per Variety, among the notable guests were actors Ariana Grande, Harrison Ford, Michelle Yeoh, Colin Farrell, Jodie Foster, and more, with directors such as Denis Villeneuve, Sean Baker, and James Mangold also in attendance. The ceremony kicked off with a heartfelt tribute to the late David Lynch, whose words about his admiration for the AFI were featured in a touching video that ended with, "We love you too, David. And always will."

The event, however, was not without controversy. The ongoing Karla Sofía Gascón situation remained a hot topic throughout the day. The actor was notably absent, but Emilia Pérez, the film that sparked the conversation, was well-represented by stars Zoe Saldaña, Édgar Ramírez, and Adriana Paz, alongside director Jacques Audiard and other key creatives. While Netflix distanced itself from Gascón, the actor was still acknowledged in the ceremony's introductory remarks, described as a "genuine triple threat of today's top talent."

The AFI Awards also celebrated the top films and TV shows of 2024, with Anora, The Brutalist, and Dune: Part Two making the cut. On the television side, hits like Abbott Elementary, The Bear, and Shrinking were included in the top 10 list. Baby Reindeer received a special award for its exceptional contribution to the arts.

The ceremony concluded with a poignant moment from AFI founder George Stevens Jr, who delivered a benediction remembering his collaboration with President Lyndon B Johnson to establish the AFI in 1965.