The American Film Institute has singled out its top 10 selections for the year’s best, honouring TV and film projects that, in the organization’s estimation, stood head and shoulders above the rest.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the criteria in selecting the movies and series was to focus on those that “advance the art of the moving image, enhance the cultural heritage of America’s art form, inspire audiences and artists and make a mark on American society.”
Along with the 20 honourees, AFI will also present a special award to acclaimed documentary “O.J.: Made in America”, which aired on television but is garnering critical praise at film festivals.
RELATED: TIFF Reveals Top 10 Best Canadian Films Of 2016
“Year after year, we are reminded of the power of artists to bring us together as one,” AFI president and CEO Bob Gazzale said in a statement. “AFI Awards is proud to recognize the achievements of the storytelling teams who have enlightened and informed us, guided and inspired us, and ultimately invited us to empathize with others in a reminder of our common humanity.”
This year’s juries, notes THR, were chaired by producers and AFI board of trustees vice chairs Tom Pollock (who oversaw the film voting) and Richard Frank (TV), while jury members included Elizabeth Banks, Jon Hamm, “The Good Wife” exec producer Michelle King, film critic Leonard Maltin and more.
The honourees will be recognized at a luncheon set to be held on Jan. 6, 2017. Here (in alphabetical order) are the AFI’s top 10:
AFI Movies of the Year
“Arrival”
“Fences”
“Hacksaw Ridge”
“Hell or High Water”
“La La Land”
“Manchester by the Sea”
“Moonlight”
“Silence”
“Sully”
“Zootopia”
AFI TV Programs of the Year
“The Americans”
“Atlanta”
“Better Call Saul”
“The Crown”
“Game of Thrones”
“The Night Of”
“The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”
“Stranger Things”
“This is Us”
“Veep”
AFI Special Award
“O.J.: Made in America”
