In a celebration of artistry, courage, and cinematic legacy, the American Film Institute (AFI) awarded honorary Doctorates of Fine Arts to Academy Award®-winning actress and producer Viola Davis and legendary film editor and sound designer Walter Murch during the AFI Conservatory’s Class of 2025 commencement at Hollywood’s iconic TCL Chinese Theatre.
The event marked the graduation of 143 Fellows who completed AFI’s two-year Master of Fine Arts program in one of six disciplines—Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design, or Screenwriting. Together, they produced the equivalent of 10 feature films over the course of their studies. The graduating class also stood out for its diversity, with more than half of the filmmakers being women and over half coming from international backgrounds.
Gina Prince-Bythewood, acclaimed filmmaker, introduced Viola Davis, while Caleb Deschanel, an AFI alumnus and celebrated cinematographer, introduced Walter Murch. Both honorees delivered speeches that blended inspiration with practical advice for the next generation of storytellers. Davis urged graduates to reconnect with the spark that brought them to filmmaking, while Murch encouraged “unreasonable boldness” in pursuing the future.
AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale opened the ceremony, praising the creativity and commitment of the Class of 2025. Susan Ruskin, Dean of the AFI Conservatory, reminded graduates that they now join a global community of alumni shaping the future of cinema. Class representative Kirby Saxton closed the ceremony by emphasizing the responsibility to tell meaningful stories with courage and authenticity.
Beyond the commencement, AFI announced a series of Industry Spotlights as part of its Bridge to the Future program, designed to connect graduates to the professional world. These events, including Cinematography, Directing, and Production Design showcases, highlight the work of the new alumni and create opportunities for industry exposure.
Key Highlights from AFI’s 2025 Commencement
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Viola Davis and Walter Murch honored with AFI’s Doctorate of Fine Arts for exceptional contributions to cinema.
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143 Fellows graduated, producing the equivalent of 10 feature films during their MFA studies.
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The Class of 2025 featured 52% female filmmakers and 52% international students, reflecting AFI’s commitment to diversity.
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Industry Spotlights to showcase graduates’ work, starting with the Cinematography Spotlight on August 9.
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Davis and Murch join a prestigious list of past recipients, including Maya Angelou, Kathryn Bigelow, Spike Lee, and Michelle Yeoh.
With applications for the next class opening September 5, 2025, the AFI Conservatory continues its mission to train bold, innovative storytellers. The ceremony not only honored two cinematic giants but also marked the beginning of a new chapter for a fresh wave of filmmakers ready to leave their mark on the industry.
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