The American Film Institute (AFI) has entered into a partnership with the Telluride Film Festival and its FilmLAB program. As part of the educational experience, a cohort of AFI Conservatory Fellows will attend the four-day festival in Telluride, Colo., beginning with this year’s 49th edition which will include over three dozen filmmakers presenting their newest works, special Guest Director programs, major Tributes to guest artists, special events and noteworthy films from the past. In addition to the screenings, AFI Fellows participating in the FilmLAB program will learn from world-class filmmakers in a masterclass setting and enjoy a special “filmmaker” experience of the festival.
“AFI is an organization that has earned an incredible amount of trust and respect within the film community and beyond,” said Julie Huntsinger, executive director of the Telluride Film Festival. “It is an absolute honor to partner with them on our exceptional FilmLAB program. We look forward to providing opportunities together for the best and brightest students to help keep cinema alive for generations to come.”
Founded in 1974, Telluride Film Festival has a long-standing commitment to join filmmakers and film connoisseurs together to experience great cinema. The 49th annual festival will take place September 2-5, 2022.
“AFI’s partnership with Telluride Film Festival is another step forward in creating a robust, immersive educational experience for AFI storytellers,” said Susan Ruskin, dean of the AFI Conservatory and EVP of the American Film Institute. “We look forward to this unique opportunity to fulfill both of our shared missions to bring together artists and audiences in honor of great storytelling.”
The AFI Conservatory opened its doors in 1969 to an inaugural class that included Terrence Malick, Caleb Deschanel and Paul Schrader. Today, the Conservatory offers a two-year MFA degree in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. In a collaborative production environment, AFI Fellows learn to master the art of storytelling, collectively creating up to 175 films a year.
