That spirit was on full display Friday as the AFI7 Awards hosted its 2026 honorees at an invitation-only luncheon in Beverly Hills.
If the American Film Institute Awards stand for anything, it’s that everyone in the room from Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Coogler to Timothée Chalamet and Ariana Grande leaves feeling like a winner.
That spirit was on full display Friday as the AFI7 Awards hosted its 2026 honorees at an invitation-only luncheon in Beverly Hills.
The institute celebrated the collaborative nature of film and television, honoring the creative teams both in front of and behind the camera.
Inside the ballroom, there were no traditional acceptance speeches or suspenseful envelope reveals.
Instead, the ceremony unfolded through thoughtfully written tributes: eloquent explanations for each honored film and television program, paired with brief clips designed to situate the year’s work within a broader cultural and artistic context.
AFI President Bob Gazzale addressed the star-studded room, emphasizing shared recognition over competition ensuring that no one left feeling like a loser.
The atmosphere reflected that ethos. Filmmaker Steven Spielberg was seen conversing with Coogler, whose wife and “Sinners” producer Zinzi Coogler stood nearby. Michael B. Jordan moved through the room, exchanging hugs and handshakes with fellow honorees and guests, including
“Bugonia” star Jesse Plemons and “Task” actor Mark Ruffalo. Filmmakers James Cameron and Guillermo del Toro greeted one another warmly.
Nearby, DiCaprio stood alongside Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and actors Benicio del Toro and Edward James Olmos, while Chase Infiniti watched her “One Battle After Another” co-stars from her table before the program began.
On the red carpet, George Clooney shared laughs with a photographer, flanked by “Death by Lightning” actor Nick Offerman, setting a relaxed, convivial tone for the afternoon.
After the event, Infiniti and Jordan shared a hug and a brief catch-up, a quiet moment highlighting the camaraderie in the room.
Films honored included Avatar: Fire and Ash, Bugonia, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Jay Kelly, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sinners, Train Dreams, and Wicked: For Good.
Television shows recognized were Adolescence, Andor, Death by Lightning, The Diplomat, The Lowdown, The Pitt, Severance, The Studio, and Task.
The ceremony closed with Carol Burnett delivering AFI’s annual benediction, celebrating the honorees’ achievements while reflecting on her lifelong love of cinema and television.
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