The American Film Institute has tapped Academy Award–winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro as Guest Artistic Director for AFI FEST 2025, presented by Canva. The festival runs October 22–26 at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood.
“Guillermo del Toro is one of the great champions of the art form — a visionary filmmaker, a passionate cinephile, and a tireless advocate for bold, original storytelling,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “As Guest Artistic Director of AFI FEST, he brings a singular perspective that will inspire audiences of all generations.”
Del Toro joins a distinguished list of past Artistic Directors, including Pedro Almodóvar, Ava DuVernay, Greta Gerwig, David Lynch, and Agnès Varda. The announcement comes just weeks before the release of his highly anticipated Frankenstein, hitting select theaters on October 17 and streaming on Netflix beginning November 7.
Now in its 39th year, AFI FEST will showcase red carpet premieres, world cinema, documentaries, shorts, and special screenings. The festival opens with Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, starring Jeremy Allen White and directed by Scott Cooper. The full lineup will be announced September 30, with individual tickets available October 6. Passes are currently on sale at FEST.AFI.com.
AFI FEST is recognized as an Academy-qualifying festival for shorts and is also recognized by BAFTA, ensuring global visibility for emerging filmmakers. With del Toro at the helm as Guest Artistic Director, this year’s edition promises to blend prestige, bold storytelling, and a little of the magic only he can bring.
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