Hollywood stars gather for an all-winners celebration at the AFI Awards

The American Film Institute held an invitation-only luncheon in Beverly Hills on Jan. 9, 2026, honoring films and television programs as collaborative teams with tributes and clips; Carol Burnett delivered AFI’s annual benediction.

The American Film Institute hosted an invitation-only luncheon in Beverly Hills on Jan. 9, 2026, bringing together the year’s honorees and many well-known figures from film and television. The AFI Awards again emphasized teamwork by recognizing creative teams both in front of and behind the camera. The program avoided traditional acceptance speeches and used written tributes and short clips to frame the honored work. AFI President Bob Gazzale spoke to the gathered guests, and Carol Burnett closed the event with the institute’s annual benediction. Event details: - The luncheon took place at the Four Seasons in Los Angeles and was invitation-only on Jan. 9, 2026. - The ceremony presented written tributes and brief clips instead of conventional acceptance speeches, highlighting collaboration in the work. - Films honored include "Avatar: Fire and Ash," "Bugonia," "Frankenstein," "Hamnet," "Jay Kelly," "Marty Supreme," "One Battle After Another," "Sinners," "Train Dreams" and "Wicked: For Good." - Television programs recognized included "Adolescence," "Andor," "Death by Lightning," "The Diplomat," "The Lowdown," "The Pitt," "Severance," "The Studio" and "Task." - The program featured AFI’s March of Time montage and closed with Carol Burnett’s benediction; attendees included a wide range of industry figures such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, George Clooney and others. Summary: The luncheon reinforced AFI’s focus on celebrating creative collaboration across film and television and placed this year’s honorees within a broader history of the medium through tributes and a montage. Undetermined at this time.