A column chronicling conversations and events on the awards circuit. One of my very favorite events, if not the favorite of all of Oscar season, is the AFI Awards, which started a wild holiday weekend of awards ceremonies and parties.
All that will culminate in the Primetime Emmys Monday night, and then the end of Oscar nomination voting on Tuesday at 5 PM PT.
In other words, this is crunch time. But for a brief three hours or so (including mingling time), AFI CEO and President Bob Gazzale reminded everyone in a room you want to be in at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel, that everyone there was a winner, no “losers” in sight, unlike other awards shows which also charge you to buy a table for the honor of being recognized.
No, the AFI Awards are as pure as it gets- no speeches except for Gazzale, the chairs of the movie and television juries selecting the 10 best films and shows of 2023, and a final benediction by a distinguished guest, this year 91-year-old Ellen Burstyn, who began by announcing the problem with being 91. “I wrote my remarks down on this piece of paper but I forgot to bring my glasses,” she lamented, but then charmingly got on with it flawlessly anyway, as she described her joy in being a part of the same “tribe” as everyone else in this ballroom that was filled with tables, each representing the best of the best this awards season.
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