American Film Institute Honors 2026 Film and TV Winners in Beverly Hills
The American Film Institute hosted its annual AFI Awards luncheon in Beverly Hills, bringing together an all-star lineup of filmmakers and actors to celebrate the institute’s 2026 honorees in film and television.[4] The invitation-only event focused on creative teams both in front of and behind the camera, emphasizing collaboration rather than competition.[4]
Unlike traditional awards shows, the AFI gathering did not feature suspenseful envelope openings or lengthy acceptance speeches.[4] Instead, the ceremony unfolded through carefully written tributes to each selected film and TV program, followed by clips that highlighted how the year’s work fits into a broader cultural and artistic context.[4]
On the film side, AFI honored titles including “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” “Bugonia,” “Frankenstein,” “Hamnet,” “Jay Kelly,” “Marty Supreme,” “One Battle After Another,” “Sinners,” “Train Dreams” and “Wicked: For Good.”[4] For television, the institute recognized series such as “Adolescence,” “Andor,” “Death by Lightning,” “The Diplomat,” “The Lowdown,” “The Pitt,” “Severance,” “The Studio” and “Task.”[4]
The red carpet underscored the event’s star power. Leonardo DiCaprio appeared alongside Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, with actors Benicio del Toro and Edward James Olmos also in attendance.[4] Inside the ballroom, actors from “One Battle After Another,” including Chase Infiniti, gathered with collaborators before the program began, reflecting the camaraderie AFI aims to highlight.[4]
On the carpet, George Clooney shared jokes with photographers while standing next to “Death by Lightning” actor Nick Offerman, signaling the relaxed tone of the afternoon.[4] After the formal program, Clooney, cast members, and other honorees mingled, with quiet moments such as a hug and brief catch-up between Chase Infiniti and co-star Jordan underlining the personal connections behind the projects.[4]
The event also featured AFI’s traditional March of Time video montage, which showcased milestones from decades of film and television history.[4] By placing the 2026 honorees in this historical reel, the institute reinforced how current projects build on and reshape the legacy of earlier work.[4]
Bruno Mars Announces ‘The Romantic’ Album and U.S. Tour Dates
In music news, Bruno Mars is expanding his 2026 plans with a new solo project and tour targeting major U.S. venues.[2] Local TV entertainment coverage reported that Mars is releasing his fourth solo album, titled “The Romantic”, and pairing it with a tour of the same name.[2]
The Romantic Tour will feature special guest collaborators including Anderson .Paak, Leon Thomas, and others on select dates, bringing a mix of R&B and pop acts to large arenas.[2] According to the report, the tour is scheduled to kick off in Las Vegas on April 10, with additional stops across the country.[2]
One of the highlighted dates includes a performance at Ford Field in Detroit on May 9, marking a major stadium stop for the tour.[2] Ticket sales are expected to open to the public in mid-January, positioning Mars’s run as one of the early headline pop tours on the U.S. calendar.[2]
The new album “The Romantic” will anchor the shows, and the tour branding suggests a focus on love-themed material and ballad-driven performances.[2] While detailed setlists have not yet been released, the combination of a fresh album and Mars’s established hits is likely to draw significant attention from U.S. pop audiences.
‘Stranger Things’ Animated Spinoff Moves Forward at Netflix
On the television side, the “Stranger Things” franchise is expanding into animation as Netflix moves ahead with its first animated series set in Hawkins.[2] Recent entertainment reporting confirmed that the streamer has officially greenlit the project, which will reimagine the world of the original series in animated form.[2]
The new series will return viewers to Hawkins and to younger versions of core characters like Eleven and Mike, but it will do so with a different cast and visual style.[2] Because the original young cast members have grown up, Netflix has hired sound‑alike voice actors to portray the kids in the new show.[2]
Producers are aiming for a “Saturday morning cartoon” vibe, signaling a tonal shift from the darker live-action series while still drawing on its familiar setting and characters.[2] The project is expected to premiere on Netflix later in the year, adding a new entry to the growing “Stranger Things” universe.[2]
For Netflix, the animated spinoff offers a way to keep the franchise active with U.S. audiences even as the main cast ages and flagship seasons take longer to produce. By tapping a nostalgic cartoon style, the streamer is targeting both longtime fans and younger viewers who may discover the franchise through animation.
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