The American Film Institute (AFI) has revealed its list of the best film and television projects of 2023. This announcement highlights notable productions that have conquered audiences and enhanced the cultural heritage of American art. Featured films include Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, both praised for their innovation and excellence in cinematic storytelling.
The list of films also includes Martin Scorsese’s Moon Killers, starring Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, selected as the best film of the year by the National Board of Film Critics. Another notable inclusion is American Fiction, a comedy-drama by Cord Jefferson, which follows a professor whose satirical play unexpectedly becomes a hit. Bradley Cooper has also received recognition for the biopic of Him Master, in which he plays the legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein.
In addition, the AFI applauds less popular but equally powerful films such as Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Creatures, starring Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo, Todd Haynes’ drama Secrets of a Scandal, with Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, and Celine’s Past Lives Song, a nostalgic film about the reunion of two friends. The list is completed with the animated film Spiderman: Across the Spider-verse and the Christmas film Those Who Stay.
In the television section, the AFI has awarded several outstanding series such as Succession, the most nominated for the next Emmy Awards; The Bear, a comedy-drama about a chef who wants to continue the family business; and The Last of Us, an apocalyptic series with Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. Netflix’s Beef; ABC’s Abbott Elementary; and Hulu’s Just Murders in the Building have also received recognition for their exceptional quality.
The AFI Awards, organized by the American Film Institute, are an annual honor for the most outstanding films and television series of the year. These awards have a unique approach in the entertainment industry: instead of focusing on individual categories such as best actor or director, the AFI Awards recognize creative teams as a whole. This includes both those who work in front of and behind the camera, thus highlighting the collective effort involved in bringing a film or television project to fruition.
One of the hallmarks of the AFI Awards is its impartial criteria and its emphasis on celebrating creativity and inspiration. They select films and television series that are not only excellent in terms of storytelling and production, but also reflect the diversity and richness of contemporary film and television. Thus, these awards are a way to recognize and applaud works that have had a significant impact on society and culture.
