American Film Institute Names Todd Hitchcock To Lead AFI Fest Programming; Brings In Ethan Caldwell From Academy Museum

EXCLUSIVE: Alfred Hitchcock won the AFI’s Life Achievement Award in 1979, but now there is another Hitchcock moving up in the organization.

The American Film Institute on Wednesday named Todd Hitchcock to oversee the national programming team tasked with programming the 37th annual AFI Fest in Los Angeles. Hitchcock also was recently named to the position of Director of the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center. The AFI says this move unites all of the institute’s exhibition and programming activities under his leadership.

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Hitchcock began his career at AFI in 2003 working on the inaugural edition of Silverdocs before joining AFI Silver’s year-round programming team. As Director of Programming at AFI Silver and the Associate Theatre Director, he oversaw numerous international film festivals, retrospectives, first-run engagements and special events including planning, programming and producing the Silent Cinema Showcase, the AFI Latin American Film Festival, the AFI European Union Film Showcase and the New African Film Festival.

Additionally, AFI said Ethan Caldwell has been named to the newly created position of Director of Operations, AFI Productions. A veteran of cinema exhibition and operations, Caldwell most recently served as the Director, Theater Operations at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. In his new position, he will be responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of AFI’s exhibition activities including AFI Fest.

“Todd’s expert knowledge in programming – combined with Ethan’s deep appreciation for the art of exhibition – makes them a dynamic duo to forge the future for AFI Fest,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “This fall, we look forward to launching the 37th Annual AFI Fest – and, once again, shining a light upon stories that uplift and inspire us all.”

This year’s AFI Fest will take place in person from October 25-29 at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The five-day festival will again include a curated selection of red carpet galas, special screenings, world cinema, documentaries and short films.

“It is an incredible honor to be programming AFI Fest,” said Hitchcock. “Throughout my time at AFI, it has been a joy to be able to connect audiences with the best in world cinema, both past and present, through our programs at AFI Silver. I’m thrilled to now lead the team that will create that experience for the AFI Fest audience.”

Hitchcock will oversee a national programming team including Director of AFI Programming Abbie Algar, Senior Programmer Malin Kan, and programmers Josh Gardner and Javier Chavez.

“The history and impact of AFI and AFI Fest is unparalleled. I am excited to join this storied institution and to work alongside people who are just as passionate about creating unique and powerful events as I am,” said Caldwell.

As previously announced, entries for the AFI Fest 2023 Short Film Competition program open today and filmmakers are invited to submit fiction, documentary, experimental and animated short films. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI Fest as a qualifying festival for the Live Action, Animated and Documentary Short Film categories at the Oscars.

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