Los Angeles, CA, November 2, 2023 — AFI FEST 2023, presented by the American Film Institute (AFI), recently concluded its five-day celebration of world cinema, leaving audiences captivated and filmmakers celebrated. Milan Weekly Magazine had the honor of attending this prestigious event, and here's a comprehensive exploration of the festival's highlights and the cinematic gems that unfolded.

The festival, running from October 25 to October 29, 2023, kicked off with the world premiere of "Leave the World Behind," directed by Sam Esmail (AFI Class of 2004) and starring Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, and Mahershala Ali. The closing film, "Maestro," directed by Bradley Cooper, chronicled the lifelong relationship between Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.

Under the artistic curation of Greta Gerwig, the festival showcased a unique selection of films, including "All of Us Strangers," "American Fiction," "The Bikeriders," "Fingernails," "Memory," and the timeless classic "Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure." These selections, introduced by Gerwig herself, added a unique flavor to the festival, demonstrating the diversity and depth of cinematic storytelling.

The AFI FEST 2023 Grand Jury Awards, announced on October 30, were a testament to outstanding achievements in the industry. The winning films — "Closing Dynasty" by Lloyd Lee Choi, "NǍI NAI & WÀI PÓ (Grandma & Grandma)" by Sean Wang, and "Chutes" by Kenzie Sutton — not only earned well-deserved recognition but also qualified for consideration at the 2023 Academy Awards.

Greta Gerwig, the Guest Artistic Director, played a significant role in introducing films like "All of Us Strangers," "American Fiction," "The Bikeriders," "Fingernails," "Memory," and the timeless classic "Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure." These selections added a unique flavor to the festival, demonstrating the diversity and depth of cinematic storytelling.

AFI FEST 2023 featured an extensive program, presenting over 140 titles across various categories. From Red Carpet Premieres to AFI Conservatory Showcase, the festival provided a platform for emerging talents and seasoned filmmakers alike. Notably, 43% of the selections were directed by women, showcasing a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The Hollywood Reporter hosted a panel celebrating the greatest film books of all time, featuring esteemed panelists/authors such as A. Scott Berg, Cameron Crowe, and Leonard Maltin. This intellectual engagement added a layer of depth to the festival experience.

Returning filmmakers and AFI Conservatory Alumni further enriched the festival's tapestry, emphasizing the role of AFI in nurturing and celebrating talent over the years.

AFI FEST 2023 marked its 37th year with a spectacular showcase, reinforcing the power of cinema to unite and inspire. As Milan Weekly Magazine, we extend our gratitude to AFI for curating such an exceptional cinematic experience, and we look forward to witnessing more cinematic brilliance in the years to come.

And the winners are…

Grand Jury Prize – Live Action Short

CLOSING DYNASTY (DIR Lloyd Lee Choi)

Jury Statement: “Absorbed us completely in a very different New York City – told through the perspective of an enterprising little girl. The expert blend of humor and pain in the writing paired with stunning cinematography blew us away.”

Grand Jury Prize – Documentary Short

NǍI NAI & WÀI PÓ (GRANDMA & GRANDMA) (奶奶跟外婆) (DIR Sean Wang)

Jury Statement: “A tender, comedic portrait of an unconventional family dynamic told with a pronounced sensitivity to quotidian rhythms and the wry perspectives of elders.”

Grand Jury Prize – Animated Short

CHUTES (DIR Kenzie Sutton)

Jury Statement: “A delightful, bizarre rollercoaster of clever visual metaphors that deftly captures the interplay between social relationships and wanton materialism.”

Special Mentions

Special Jury Mention for Editing – Live Action Short

SÈT LAM (DIR Vincent Fontana)

Jury Statement: “A lyrical, deeply affecting edit that transported us into a trancelike state with its rhythmic evocations of dance and community.”

Special Jury Mention for Experimentation – Documentary Short

QUIET AS IT’S KEPT (DIR Ja’Tovia M. Gary)

Jury Statement: “Continually expands its exploration of Black femininity via the works of Toni Morrison and TikTok, burrowing into myriad historical and cultural associations with hypnotic manipulations of sound and image.”

Special Jury Mention for Social Commentary – Documentary Short

ALPHA KINGS (DIR Enrique Pedráza Botero, Faye Tsakas)

Jury Statement: “A striking, observational character portrait of a fascinating, typically invisible world captured with a refreshingly nonjudgmental yet incisive eye.”

Special Jury Mention for Stop Motion – Animated Short

THE MIRACLE (DIR Nienke Deutz)

Jury Statement: “Vivid construction of a unique, hilarious and unsettling world – this animation felt unlike anything we’d seen before and stuck with us.”

Special Jury Mention for 2D Animation – Animated Short

MIISUFY (DIR Liisi Grünberg)

Jury Statement: “It comes out of the gate swinging with its unique and distinct illustrations – it took us through a journey in its world.”

Special Jury Mention for Cinematography – Live Action Short

BASRI & SALMA IN A NEVER-ENDING COMEDY (DIR Khozy Rizal)

Jury Statement: “The unforgettable cinematography added a layer of humor and vibrancy to heavy emotional material, making the most of wide-open landscapes and bright carnivalesque lights and colors.”

Special Jury Mention for Lead Acting – Live Action Short

MADDEN (DIR Malin Ingrid Johansson)

Jury Statement: “A beautifully tender and subtle performance from the lead actor that had us entirely invested in her world.”

Special Jury Mention for Hybrid Storytelling – Documentary Short

DILDOTECTONICS (DILDOTECTÓNICA) (DIR Tomás Paula Marques)

Jury Statement: “Blending two separate sexual explorations (one documentary, one quasi-fanciful reenactment) across the years, this delves into physical and political alternatives to heteronormativity with an offhand, fluid brilliance.”

All photos by Alptekin Top