AFI Awards Honor David Lynch, Los Angeles Firefighters and the Top 10 Films and Television Programs of 2024

Originally slated for Jan. 10 but postponed due to the Los Angeles wildfires, the American Film Institute’s AFI Awards took place nearly a month later Thursday afternoon at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills.

As always, the event was a starry affair with a guest list that included actors Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Harrison Ford, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Boyd Holbrook, Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Quinta Brunson, Jesse Eisenberg, Michelle Yeoh, Colin Farrell, Mark Indelicato, Meg Stalter, Ralph Fiennes and Jodie Foster.

Directors included Sean Baker, Denis Villeneuve, James Mangold, RaMell Ross and Edward Berger.

The ceremony opened with footage of the late David Lynch talking about how much he loved AFI. The video ended with a title card that read, “We love you too, David. And always will.”

No surprise, but the Karla Sofía Gascón controversy was a hot topic of conversation. “Emilia Perez” was represented at the luncheon by stars Zoe Saldaña, Édgar Ramírez and Adriana Paz, director Jacques Audiard, composer Clément Ducol and songwriter Camille. Sitting at their table were Netflix’s COO Bela Bajaria and vice president of talent relations and awards Lisa Taback.

While Netflix has distanced itself from Gascón, she was recognized in the intro read from the podium with Gascón, Saldaña and Gomez described as a “genuine triple threat of today’s top talent.”

The streamer’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos sat at the neighboring “Nobody Wants This” table alongside Tim Larson, a Los Angeles firefighter stationed in Pacific Palisades who received a standing ovation during the afternoon’s program.

The event celebrated AFI’s list of the best 10 films and television programs of 2024.

The movies include “Anora,” “The Brutalist,” “A Complete Unknown,” “Dune: Part Two,” “Conclave,” “Wicked,” “Emilia Pérez,” “Nickel Boys,” “Sing Sing” and “A Real Pain.” Making the cut on the TV side were “Abbott Elementary,” “The Bear,” “Hacks,” “A Man on the Inside,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “Nobody Wants This,” “The Penguin,” “Shōgun,” “Shrinking” and “True Detective: Night Country.” “Baby Reindeer” received a special award.

George Stevens delivered the benediction, recalling his father and legendary director George Stevens’ work with President Lyndon B. Johnson in establishing the AFI in 1965.

Check out the best photos from the AFI Awards below.