America's Film Institute: Art, Archives and Achievements Around the Calendar.
By RaeAnne Marsh At AFI's anniversary this year, it was 42 years since President Lyndon Johnson stood in the White House Rose Garden and declared the American Film Institute (AFI) would be formed - and why it was important: "Art is a nation's most precious heritage. For it is in our works of art that we reveal to ourselves, and to others, the inner vision which guides us as a nation. And where there is no vision, the people perish." Two years later, in 1967, AFI was created by the same legislation that created the National Endowment for the Arts, focused on preserving America's film heritage and training the next generation of filmmakers. Gregory Peck was its first Chairman; George Stevens Jr., its first director. Read more.
A Vanguard's Journey with Festivals Director Christian Gaines
By Elliot V. Kotek
Following five years as the American Film Institute's Festivals Director, Christian Gaines admits, "When I first arrived at AFI, I found it odd that the AFI, a gatekeeper of all things to do with American film, should host an international film festival. I get it now. As representatives to America's film community, we have the opportunity to host and celebrate the international film community right here in the center of the film world." While Gaines notes the importance of festivals, for now, being "communal celebration of films," he feels a need to address the ability of new distribution platforms for delivering festival-type content. "I applaud the essential accessibility that new distribution platforms provide," Gaines proceeds, "but all of those conveniences invite a compromised experience in some way or another. One of the things that's great about movie-going is that you're creating a safe place for a film to be seen in the best possible circumstances without interruption - and that's a true compliment to the filmmaker." For more from Christian Gaines on the occassion of AFI Fest's 20th Anniversary in 2006, click HERE. |
