Francis Ford Coppola has a date with the American Film Institute next year.
The filmmaker has been selected to receive the organization’s 50th highest honor, the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, at a ceremony scheduled for April 26, 2025, at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. The tribute will air on TNT and will be supplemented by Turner Classic Movies. All proceeds from the gala will be used to support AFI’s educational and artistic activities.
The AFI Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a winner “whose talent has fundamentally advanced the art of film, whose achievements have been recognized by scholars, critics, professional peers and the public, and whose work has withstood the test of time.”
“Francis Ford Coppola was an unparalleled artist who created seminal works in the American cinema canon and inspired generations of filmmakers who now embody His artistic talent and independent spirit.
News of the honor comes on the heels of Coppola’s latest film, Polarized . MegacityThe film struggled to find an audience upon its release, eventually grossing $12.5 million worldwide on a $120 million budget.
There is no doubt that he can win this award thanks to a long and impressive list of iconic films, such as The Godfather, The Godfather Part 2 and apocalypse now and contributions to American cinema beyond his own resume. The American Peep Show founder mentored other directors and inspired the careers of countless creatives, including some of his own family members like Sofia, Gia, and Roman Coppola, among others. The six-time Oscar winner’s resume also includes General Patton, American Graffiti, The Conversation, The Outsider, From the Heart, Rumble Fish, Peggy Sue Got Married, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Jack, and rainmakerwait.
The list of previous winners reads like a who’s who of Hollywood. Recent winners include Nicole Kidman, Julie Andrews, Denzel Washington, George Clooney and Diane Keaton.
