Francis Ford Coppola to Receive AFI Life Achievement Award – Film News in Brief

“The Godfather” trilogy and “Apocalypse Now” filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola will be the 50th recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award.

The American Film Institute (AFI) Board of Trustees announced that Coppola will presented the award — the institution’s highest honor for a career in film — during a gala tribute ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 26, 2025.

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“Francis Ford Coppola is a peerless artist — one who has created seminal works in the canon of American film, and has also inspired generations of filmmakers who now embody his artistry and his independent spirit,” stated Kathleen Kennedy, chair of the AFI board of trustees.

Coppola is a six-time Academy Award-winning writer, director and producer (including the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award from the AMPAS board of governors), with an acclaimed filmography that also includes “The Conversation,” “The Outsiders” and “Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” Coppola’s latest film “Megalopolis,” launched earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival and was released theatrically and in Imax globally this fall. Three of his films, “The Godfather,” “The Godfather Part II” and “Apocalypse Now” rank among AFI’s “100 Years… 100 Movies” list, as well as Variety’s 100 best films list.

As the co-founder of American Zoetrope with George Lucas, Coppola’s impact can also be measured by the careers of the filmmakers he’s supported (including Carroll Ballard, John Milius and Sofia Coppola, his daughter) as well as actors such as Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, James Caan, Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfus, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Matt Dillon, Diane Lane and Laurence Fishburne.

Established in 1973, the AFI Life Achievement Award is presented to a single honoree “whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time.” Recent recipients include Nicole Kidman (2024), Julie Andrews (2022), Denzel Washington (2019), George Clooney (2018) and Diane Keaton (2017).

The AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute special will air on TNT, with encore presentations on Turner Classic Movies (TCM).

Monday Oct. 28

Syrinthia Studer to Succeed Amy Baer as WIF Board President in 2025

Women in Film, Los Angeles has announced that industry veteran Syrinthia Studer will take the helm in 2025 as the new WIF Board President. Studer succeeds Amy Baer, who served a full nine-year term.

“Syrinthia’s exceptional leadership record places her at the forefront of our field,” WIF CEO Kirsten Schaffer said in statement announcing Studer’s new role. “As Syrinthia prepares to step into the role, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Amy Baer for her stellar guidance during one of the most turbulent times in our industry. I look forward to working closely with Syrinthia to bring innovation, excellence, and the fresh perspective necessary to advance equity.”

Studer is a 25-year industry veteran with a career spanning from marketing to development, who most recently served as executive vice president of international production at Paramount Global. She is currently the executive vice president of the WIF board.

“I am grateful for Amy’s leadership and honored to be entrusted to take the baton at a time when the entertainment industry is experiencing such rapid and transformative change,” Studer said of Baer, who made the announcement during the WIF Honors ceremony last week. “WIF’s mission of advancing and supporting women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals across all facets of the screen industries is critical, now more than ever. As the industry recalibrates in response to these new challenges, I look forward to working with Kirsten and the board to meet the moment.”

Jon M. Chu to be Honored with the ACE Golden Eddie Filmmaker of The Year Award

The American Cinema Editors (ACE) announced it would honor Jon M. Chu with its Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award. The organization states this recognition is given to an “artist who exemplifies distinguished achievement in the art and business of film.” The 75th annual ACE Eddie Awards will take place on Jan. 18, at UCLA’s Royce Hall.

The ceremony will also honor film editors Maysie Hoy and Paul Hirsch with career achievement awards. There will be a total of 13 categories to be awarded for editing achievements in both television and film. Nominations will be announced on Dec. 11.

Other Golden Eddie award recipients include John Waters, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino and Guillermo del Toro. “Jon M. Chu is a visionary filmmaker who has captivated audiences worldwide with his dynamic storytelling and innovative visual style,” stated ACE president Sabrina Plisco.

“Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy” Documentary to Launch Nov. 20 on Netflix

Directed by Emmy-winning writer and filmmaker Nic Stacey, “Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy” examines the world’s richest and most powerful brands, including Apple, Amazon and Adidas, and the tactics companies employ to keep consumers locked in a “endless cycle of buying.”

The documentary from Academy Award-winning UK production house Grain Media, features insights from industry insiders and whistleblowers as they reveal the tricks of the trade for major global brands. “Through a playful, eye-catching, and unique approach inspired by pop culture classics like ‘They Live’ and ‘The Truman Show,’ ‘Buy Now!’ explores the destructive consequences of the lies we’ve been sold to fuel an endless drive to spend,” a press release explains. “Using epic CGI to give the film a cinematic feel and imagery borrowed from advertising clichés, the film uncovers the hidden toolbox of brand manipulation and reveals the madness of a world profiting from waste at every level. It exposes how many large companies have mastered the art of concealing the damage they cause to our lives and the world around us.”

In a statement, Stacey explained why now was the perfect time to make the film. “I started out thinking of myself as a ‘well-informed consumer,’ but was repeatedly shocked by the interviews with people in high-ranking positions at major companies,” Stacey said. “We found that the system is far more troubling than most people realize. The truth is, there’s a highly sophisticated machine at work, making it incredibly hard for us to make conscious and responsible choices. My hope is that when people watch the film, they realize that we can take back control.”

Watch the trailer below:

AFI Fest 2024 Announces Its Grand Jury Winners

AFI Fest presented by Canva has announced its Grand Jury Winners. Those honored for best live action short, documentary short and animated short qualify to be considered for the Academy Awards.

This year’s jury consisted of filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison, film programmer Nora Bernard and comedian, actor and author Paul Scheer.

The winners of the Grand Jury Prize were the following :

Live Action Short: “Two people Exchanging Saliva” directed by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh.
Documentary Short:“Land of Lost Boys” directed by Nicholas Stachurski.
Animated Short: “Humantis” directed by Paris Baillie.

Additionally to the winners the following features were distinguished as Jury Mentions:

Special Jury Mention for Freedom and Expression – Live Action Short: “A Short Film About Kids” directed by Ibrahim Handal.
Special Jury Mention for New Voice – Documentary Short: “You’re Too Sensitive” directed by Dan Chen.
Special Jury Mention for Craft – Animated Short: “Silent Panorama” directed by Nicolas Piret.

Charlotte Kirk Begins Production of New Drug Thriller ‘Myra’

“Duchesse” actress Charlotte Kirk stars in the new Badhouse Studios Mexico thriller “Myra.” The film is executive produced by Marci Lee from Altitude Productions, produced by Jorge Ariel Gardea and R. Ellis Frazier, and written by Benjamin Budd.

The film is set and filmed in Tijuana. It follows ex-gang member Myra, played by Kirk, who escapes to Tijuana after a botched robbery in Los Angeles with a bearer bond loot of $2 million. Tony, played by Gary Daniels is Myra’s gang leader and lover who goes after her once he realizes she has stolen the bond. She has 36 hours to cash the $2 million and disappear, but she must also evade another local gang leader played by Roberto Sanchez and a corrupt cop played by Corin Nemec.

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