The entertainment industry hit a momentary “pause” on the competitive fervor of awards season today as the American Film Institute (AFI) hosted its annual AFI Awards private luncheon. On Friday, January 9, 2026, the ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills hosted the year’s most influential creators, who gathered not to compete but to be recognized as peers.
Unlike the traditional “winner-takes-all” ceremonies, the AFI Awards are unique for honoring the entire creative team. Guests at the event included Ethan Hawke, George Clooney, Gwyneth Paltrow, Timothée Chalamet, Odessa A’zion, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mia Goth, Guillermo del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Ariana Grande, Chloé Zhao, Jessie Buckley, Joel Edgerton, Benicio del Toro, and many more.
The 10 films selected for the 2026 AFI Motion Pictures of the Year represent a wide spectrum of cinematic ambition. The list includes Avatar: Fire and Ash, Wicked: For Good, alongside critically acclaimed dramas like Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, and Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet. Other recognized films include the Yorgos Lanthimos-helmed Bugonia, the reimagined Frankenstein, Jay Kelly, Marty Supreme, and Train Dreams.
In the world of television, the AFI 10 Programs of the Year reflected a strong year for both returning favorites and new series. The honors were shared by dramas and character-driven stories, including Andor, Severance, The Diplomat, and The Pitt. The jury also recognized the creative teams behind Adolescence, Death by Lightning, The Lowdown, Pluribus, The Studio, and Task. Additionally, the jury granted a Special Award to the film It Was Just an Accident, noting its unique contribution to the art form.
Scroll down to see photos from inside the event.
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2026 AFI Awards – Inside
Image Credit: Penske Media
Ethan Hawke, George Clooney and Gwyneth Paltrow
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AFI Awards
Image Credit: Getty Images
(L-R) Timothée Chalamet and Odessa A’zion
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AFI Awards
Image Credit: Getty Images
(L-R) Leonardo DiCaprio and Gwyneth Paltrow
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AFI Awards
Image Credit: Getty Images
(L-R) Leonardo DiCaprio, Joel Edgerton and Edward Zwick
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AFI Awards
Image Credit: Getty Images
(L-R) Mia Goth, Guillermo del Toro, Scott Stuber and Jacob Elordi
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AFI Awards
Image Credit: Getty Images
(L-R) Ariana Grande, Chloé Zhao, and Jessie Buckley
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AFI Awards
Image Credit: Getty Images
(L-R) Tim Cook and Steven Spielberg
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2026 AFI Awards – Inside
Image Credit: Penske Media
Ted Sarandos and George Clooney
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2026 AFI Awards – Inside
Image Credit: Penske Media
Mia Goth and Guillermo del Toro
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2026 AFI Awards – Inside
Image Credit: Penske Media
Joel Edgerton, Benicio del Toro and Edward James Olmos
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AFI Awards
Image Credit: Getty Images
(L-R) Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, and Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer, Netflix
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2026 AFI Awards – Inside
Image Credit: Penske Media
Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler, Wunmi Mosaku, Zinzi Coogler and Delroy Lindo
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AFI Awards
Image Credit: Getty Images
(L-R) Seth Rogen and Kathryn Hahn
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AFI Awards
Image Credit: Getty Imagse
(L-R) Steven Spielberg and Chloé Zhao
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AFI Awards
Image Credit: Getty Images
(L-R) Adam Scott and Ike Barinholtz
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TimCookRheaSeehorn
(L-R): Rhea Seehorn, Tim Cook
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AFI Awards
Image Credit: Getty Images
(L-R) Wunmi Mosaku and Britt Lower
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AFI Awards
Image Credit: Getty Images
(L-R) Emma Stone, Yorgos Lanthimos, George Clooney, Laura Dern, and Jesse Plemons
