Editor

The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced the appointment of Michael Lumpkin as Director of AFI Festivals. AFI FEST presented by Audi, which takes place each fall in Hollywood, CA, and AFI DOCS, which takes place each June in the Washington, DC, area, will continue to operate as separate festivals, but year-round programming and operations will be combined to streamline efforts with studios, distributors, sponsors and cultural partners.

"AFI has celebrated films at festivals since its founding more than 50 years ago," said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. "As the art form continues to evolve in exciting ways — so has the art of finding an audience, and this new structure will strengthen AFI's voice on both coasts and across the nation."

In his new position, Lumpkin will lead both AFI FEST and AFI DOCS, the Institute's documentary festival. Lumpkin has served as Director of AFI DOCS since 2015. Prior to AFI, Lumpkin was Executive Director of the International Documentary Association for six years, and headed Frameline and its San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival for 25 years. He also produced HBO's groundbreaking 1995 documentary THE CELLULOID CLOSET.

"I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to lead AFI's portfolio of outstanding film festivals spanning the country and all film genres, from AFI FEST, now in its 32nd year, to AFI DOCS in its 16th year, as well as other AFI film festival events," said Lumpkin. "I look forward to working with all of AFI's talented and dedicated exhibition staff on what will be stellar events in DC this month and in Hollywood in November."

Lumpkin is currently unveiling AFI DOCS 2018, which will take place June 13–17 in Washington, DC, and Silver Spring, MD. The festival brings together our nation's leaders and our nation's leading filmmakers to screen and discuss the best in documentary filmmaking with the movie-going public. This year's festival will open with the World Premiere of PERSONAL STATEMENT, with screenings to follow throughout landmark venues in DC and at the historic AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring.

Jacqueline Lyanga, who began serving as Director of AFI FEST in 2010 and is a graduate of the AFI Conservatory, is departing her role to pursue new opportunities, and will consult with AFI through June to ensure a smooth transition.

"It has been an amazing and extremely rewarding experience to be part of the festival's growth in scope and influence as the Director of AFI FEST for the past eight years," said Lyanga. "My time at AFI goes back to 2005 during which I've seen this incredible organization continue to evolve and I have been able to work closely with a tremendous and passionate group of movie-lovers. I'm so proud of where we've taken the festival, and now I’m ready for new challenges and opportunities."

About the American Film Institute
The American Film Institute was established by presidential proclamation in the White House Rose Garden, and launched its national mandate on June 5, 1967 — to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI's founding Trustees included Chairman Gregory Peck, Vice Chairman Sidney Poitier, Francis Ford Coppola, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., Jack Valenti and George Stevens, Jr., as Director.

About AFI DOCS
AFI DOCS is the American Film Institute's annual documentary festival in Washington, DC. Presenting the year's best documentaries, AFI DOCS is the only festival in the U.S. dedicated to screenings and events that connect audiences, filmmakers and policy leaders in the heart of our nation's government. The AFI DOCS advisory board includes Ken Burns, Davis Guggenheim, Chris Hegedus, Werner Herzog, Rory Kennedy, Barbara Kopple, Spike Lee, Errol Morris, Stanley Nelson, D A Pennebaker, Agnès Varda and Frederick Wiseman. Now in its 16th year, the festival will be held June 13–17, 2018, at distinguished Washington, DC, venues, the Landmark E Street Cinema and the historic AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, MD. Visit AFI.com/AFIDOCS and connect on twitter.com/AFIDOCS, facebook.com/AFIDOCS, youtube.com/AFI and instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute.

About AFI FEST presented by Audi
A program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST presented by Audi is a celebration of global cinema and today's Hollywood — a showcase for the best festival films of the year and an opportunity for master filmmakers and emerging artists to come together with audiences in the movie capital of the world. AFI FEST is the only festival of its stature that is free to the public. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Live Action and Animated Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards^®. This year's edition will take place November 8–15, 2018. Additional information about AFI FEST is available at AFI.com/AFIFEST. Connect with AFI FEST at facebook.com/AFIFEST, twitter.com/AFIFEST and youtube.com/AFI.