The National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics Circle have had their say. Now, the American Film Institute’s jury of industry professionals and media members (who decides this group is always quizzical) has made their top 10 selections for 2021 for both film and television. The latter saw recent newcomers “West Side Story,” “Nightmare Alley” and, shockingly (considering the reviews), “Don’t Look Up” make the list.
READ MORE: “Licorice Pizza” named Best Film of 2021 by National Board of Review
In a statement, the always longwinded and “give me a spotlight” AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale noted, “AFI is honored to shine a proper light upon the most outstanding screen stories of 2021 and those who worked collaboratively to bring them to screens large and small. From soaring in spirit to dark and dangerous – from heartbreaking to hilarious – these are the stories that have united us in uncertain times and continue to drive culture forward.”
Here’s a complete rundown of this year’s film winners.
AFI Films of the Year
“CODA”
“Don’t Look Up”
“Dune”
“King Richard”
“Licorice Pizza”
“Nightmare Alley”
“The Power of the Dog”
“Tick, Tick… Boom!”
“The Tragedy of Macbeth”
“West Side Story”
Critically acclaimed films that might have been expected to make AFI’s top 10 list but didn’t include “The Lost Daughter,” “Passing,” “C’Mon C’Mon” and “The French Dispatch.” Three notable awards season players, “Belfast,” “Drive My Car” and “A Hero,” were ineligible due to an American production requirement. That being said, “Belfast,” along with the documentary “Summer of Soul,” earned a “special award” from the committee. Korean production “Squid Game” received a similar honor on the television side.
In 2020, just six of the 10 awarded films were nominated for Best Picture with eventual nominees “Promising Young Woman” and “The Father,” which was ineligible, not making the cut.
On the television side, the committee saw HBO/HBO Max taking four of the slots while Netflix and Apple TV+ tied for two. Newcomers to the list from this past Emmy season included “Maid,” “Reservation Dogs,” “Schmigadoon!,” and “The White Lotus.” The surprising omissions included “What We Do In The Shadows” and “Only Murders in the Building.”
AFI Television Programs of the Year
“Hacks”
“Maid”
“Mare of Easttown”
“Reservation Dogs”
“Schmigadoon!”
“Succession”
“Ted Lasso”
“The Underground Railroad”
“WandaVision”
“The White Lotus”
AFI Special Award
“Squid Game”
“Summer of Soul (…or, when the revolution could not be televised)
“Belfast”
The honorees will be celebrated on January 7 at an in-person ceremony at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills.
