The American Film Institute (AFI) announced that Academy Award-winning filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller will serve as the Guest Artistic Directors for AFI FEST 2026 presented by Canva.
This year’s Guest Artistic Directors Program will include “An Evening with Lord and Miller” which will include a Q&A with the directors followed by a screening of ‘2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY’ at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Saturday, October 24. Additionally, they have curated a selection of films that inspired their work on their most recent hit ‘PROJECT HAIL MARY.’ Their selections include ‘HAROLD AND MAUDE’ (1971), ‘THE MUPPET MOVIE’ (1979) and ‘RIFIFI’ (1955).
“‘PROJECT HAIL MARY’ answered the prayers of movie lovers this year,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President & CEO. “And it is AFI’s honor to welcome two of the most inventive, entertaining and impactful storytellers in the world to AFI FEST 2026 as our Guest Artistic Directors.”
“We feel so lucky to be the Guest Artistic Directors for AFI FEST 2026,” the filmmakers said. “After years of dragging our friends and families to screenings of films we love, we are delighted to get to do it for hundreds of strangers. We chose four films that inspired us not only while making ‘PROJECT HAIL MARY’ but also as filmmakers and people. We stand on the shoulders of giants like Hal Ashby and Fozzie Bear.”
Previous Guest Artistic Directors for AFI FEST include Pedro Almodóvar, Bernardo Bertolucci, Guillermo del Toro, Ava DuVernay, Greta Gerwig, David Lynch and Agnès Varda.
As previously announced, the 40th edition of the Institute’s annual film festival will take place October 21–25 at the TCL Chinese Theatres in the heart of Hollywood. The festival will open with the U.S. premiere of ‘WILDWOOD,’ feature the World Premiere of ‘THE MOSQUITO BOWL’ as a Red Carpet Premiere and close with ‘BEING HEUMANN.’ The festival will feature a curated selection of Red Carpet Premieres, Special Screenings, World Cinema, Documentaries and Short Films.
Passes to AFI FEST 2026 are now available for purchase online at FEST.AFI.com.
Festivalgoers can choose from the Star Pass, Patron Pass and the new Marquee Pass. The AFI FEST Star Pass features access to all screenings (excluding Red Carpet Premieres), early screening selection and theater access, access to the AFI FEST Festival Lounge, AFI FEST merch and free rush access. The Patron Pass features all the benefits of the Star Pass, plus access to Red Carpet Premieres and priority screening selection and theater access.
The full festival lineup will be unveiled on September 29. Individual tickets will be available for purchase on October 3.
AFI FEST is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival for the Live Action, Animated and Documentary Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards. AFI FEST is also a qualifying festival for consideration for the British Short Film categories of both the BAFTA Film Awards and the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).
AFI is a nonprofit, donor-powered organization. Join AFI’s Premiere Circle to support the American Film Institute and enjoy access to exclusive one-of-a-kind opportunities at AFI events, including AFI FEST.
Canva, the all-in-one visual communication and collaboration platform, returns as the exclusive Presenting Sponsor of AFI FEST 2026. Built to empower everyone across the entertainment industry, from screenwriters and directors to producers, production teams and studios, Canva helps bring ideas from early concept to screen. Entertainment professionals use Canva to pitch projects and secure buy-in, develop storyboards and mood boards, plan productions, collaborate with cast and crew, create marketing campaigns and promotional assets, and build presentations that bring creative visions to life.
Canva will be integrated throughout AFI FEST including hosting industry networking events and hands-on training workshops for filmmakers, while powering the festival’s digital and printed materials. Entertainment professionals can explore resources to pitch projects, plan shoots and bring creative visions to life at canva.com/entertainment.