Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney Mingle With Stars At AFI Awards Honouring 2026 Hits

Hollywood awards don’t usually come without tension, envelopes or nervous smiles — but the American Film Institute Awards does things differently. On Friday afternoon in Beverly Hills, the mood was relaxed, celebratory and refreshingly pressure-free as some of the industry’s biggest names came together for an event where no one leaves empty-handed.

The AFI Awards hosted its invitation-only luncheon to honour the standout films and television shows of 2026, spotlighting creative teams rather than individuals. From actors and directors to producers and executives, everyone in the room was recognised as part of a larger collaborative effort, reinforcing AFI’s long-standing belief that storytelling is never a solo act.

Instead of traditional acceptance

speeches, the ceremony unfolded through carefully crafted tributes. Each honoured film and series was introduced with a short citation explaining its cultural and artistic impact, followed by clips that placed the work within the broader landscape of cinema and television. There were no envelopes, no suspense — just appreciation.

AFI president Bob Gazzale addressed the packed ballroom, setting the tone for an afternoon built entirely around shared recognition. The atmosphere reflected that message, with stars freely mingling across tables and generations.

Steven Spielberg was seen in conversation with filmmaker Ryan Coogler, alongside Coogler’s wife and Sinners producer Zinzi Coogler. Michael B. Jordan moved easily through the room, greeting fellow honourees including Bugonia actor Jesse Plemons and Task star Mark Ruffalo. James Cameron and Guillermo del Toro shared a warm exchange, while Leonardo DiCaprio stood chatting with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Benicio del Toro and Edward James Olmos.

Elsewhere, Chase Infiniti looked on from her table, watching her One Battle After Another co-stars before the programme began. On the red carpet, George Clooney, accompanied by Death by Lightning actor Nick Offerman, laughed with photographers, reinforcing the laid-back energy that defined the event. After the ceremony, Infiniti and Jordan shared a hug and a brief conversation — a small moment that captured the spirit of camaraderie throughout the afternoon.

Among the films honoured were Avatar: Fire and Ash, Bugonia, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Jay Kelly, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sinners, Train Dreams and Wicked: For Good. The television slate included Adolescence, Andor, Death by Lightning, The Diplomat, The Lowdown, The Pitt, Severance, The Studio and Task.

Bringing the ceremony to a close was Carol Burnett, who delivered AFI’s annual benediction. Reflecting on her own lifelong relationship with film and television, she reminded the room why gatherings like this matter.

“I’ve never lost the deep respect and love that I have for all the stories we tell through cinema and television and by all of those behind and in front of the camera,” Burnett said. “Creative collaboration has always remained at the heart of our work, and AFI brings us all together. The world is a better place for having heard your voices.”

The luncheon also featured AFI’s signature March of Time montage, a sweeping visual journey through landmark moments in film and television history, placing this year’s honourees within the evolving story of the medium. At an event designed to celebrate collective effort, the message was clear: here, everyone wins.