BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — If the American Film Institute Awards meant anything, it’s that everyone in the room — from Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Coogler to Timothée Chalamet and Ariana Grande — felt like a winner.
That sentiment was on full display Friday when the AFI Awards gathered its 2026 honorees for an invitational luncheon in Beverly Hills, where the institute once again celebrated the collaborative nature of film and television by honoring creative teams in front of and behind the camera.
Inside the ballroom, there were no acceptance speeches in the traditional sense and no secrets on envelopes. Instead, AFI’s ceremony unfolded as a series of thoughtfully written tributes: brilliant arguments for each honored film and television program, followed by brief clips designed to place the year’s work in a broader cultural and artistic context.
AFI President Bob Ghazale spoke in front of a room full of stars, making sure no one lost out with just a shared recognition.
The room reflects that mood. Filmmaker Steven Spielberg was seen chatting with Coogler, whose wife and “Sinners” producer, Zinzi Coogler stood beside him. Meanwhile, Michael B. Jordan worked the room, hugging and shaking hands with fellow honorees and guests, including “Bugonia” star Jesse Plemons and “Task” actor Mark Ruffalo. Filmmakers James Cameron and Guillermo del Toro congratulated each other.
Nearby, DiCaprio stood shoulder to shoulder with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and actors Benicio del Toro and Edward James Olmos. Chase Infinity looked over at his “One Battle After Another” co-stars from his table before the show started.
On the red carpet, accompanied by “Death by Lightning” actor Nick Offerman, George Clooney joked with a photographer, adding to the easygoing tone that prevailed throughout the afternoon. After the show, Infinity and Jordan reunited for a hug and a brief meeting, a quiet moment that underlined the camaraderie in the room.
Honored films include “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” “Bugonia,” “Frankenstein,” “Hamnet,” “Jay Kelly,” “Marty Supreme,” “One Battle After Another,” “Sinners,” “Train Dreams” and “Wicked: For Good.”
The television shows recognized were “Adolescence,” “Endors,” “Death by Lightning,” “The Diplomat,” “The Lowdown,” “The Pit,” “Severance,” “The Studio” and “Task.”
The ceremony concluded with Carol Burnett, who delivered AFI’s annual blessing, celebrating the honorees’ achievements while reflecting on her lifelong love of cinema and television.
Burnett said, “I have never lost the deep respect and love I have for all the stories told through cinema and television and by the people behind and in front of the camera.” “Creative collaboration has always been at the heart of our work, and AFI brings us all together. The world is a better place for having your voices heard.”
The luncheon also featured AFI’s signature March of Time video montage, which takes a sweeping look at the cinematic and television milestones of past decades, situating this year’s honorees within the evolving history of the medium.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without any modifications to the text.