/ The Reel Index™ · Q2 2026 Profile

AFI Fest

B+
/ Festival · 78/100 · Strong

Los Angeles–based festival, November timing. American Film Institute–run. Awards-season Hollywood-industry showcase.

/ 01 / Subscore Breakdown

How the grade decomposes.

Filmmaker Treatment/ 25% weight
80
Theatrical Reach/ 22% weight
72
Curatorial Reputation/ 20% weight
80
Library Stewardship/ 18% weight
80
Rights Posture/ 15% weight
78
/ 02 / Filmmaker Notes

Best for / Watch out for.

/ Best for

Awards-season features seeking L.A. industry/guild access in early-November screening window.

/ Watch out for

Limited critical/curatorial prestige compared to Telluride/NYFF. Programming overlaps heavily with peer awards-launch venues.

/ 03 / Public-Record Timeline

What's on the record.

2024
Awards-season Hollywood industry program
1987
Festival format established