American Film Institute launches AFI Movie Club: “Movies To Watch Together While We’re Apart”

Steven Spielberg Inaugurates New AFI Program

As group viewing parties happen across the world in this era of pandemic-induced isolation, the American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the launch of AFI Movie Club – a daily virtual gathering to leverage our collective love of film on behalf of optimism in this time of global uncertainty. AFI Trustee Steven Spielberg introduced the inaugural film, THE WIZARD OF OZ, in a video (see below) that reminds in a timely manner, “There’s no place like home.”

AFI will continue to select an iconic movie each day for the world to watch together, creating a communal viewing experience during these unprecedented times of social distancing. Other special guests will announce select AFI Movies of the Day in short videos posted on AFI.com and social media platforms. Audiences can “gather” at AFI.com/MovieClub to view the featured movie of the day with the use of their preexisting streaming services. The daily film selections will be supported by fun facts, family discussion points and exclusive material from the AFI Archive to enrich the viewing experience. Audiences can continue the conversation online using the hashtag #AFIMovieClub.

“AFI’s goal is to live in a world of art above anxiety,” said Bob Gazzale, President and CEO. “We’re honored to have Steven Spielberg, the greatest storyteller of our day, lead the way.”

Seven of Spielberg’s films appear across AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 MOVIES lists – Schindler’s List, E.T.: the Extraterrestrial, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Saving Private Ryan, The Color Purple and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. And in 1995, AFI awarded Spielberg with the AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor for a career in film.

Established in 1967, the American Film Institute is the nation’s non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring artists and audiences through initiatives that champion the past, present and future of the moving image. AFI’s pioneering programs include filmmaker training at the AFI Conservatory; year-round exhibition at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center and at AFI Festivals across the nation; workshops aimed at increasing diversity in the storytelling community; honoring today’s masters through the AFI Life Achievement Award and AFI AWARDS; and scholarly efforts such as the AFI Catalog of Feature Films that uphold film history for future generations.