IndieWire and AT&T spent the month of October demonstrating our shared commitment to championing filmmakers and bringing untold stories to life.
First up was the IndieWire Future of Filmmaking Summit in Los Angeles, presented by AT&T, which assembled artists, executives, and thought leaders from every corner of the entertainment industry for a day of programming about where Hollywood is heading. Then a week later, we partnered to present the Filmmaker Party at AFI Fest, which celebrated the next generation of filmmakers who are bringing their visions to life.
Held at Ovation Hollywood on Saturday, October 25, the Filmmaker Party brought directors and festival attendees together for an evening of networking and movie discussions. The party even featured a complimentary headshot booth for anyone who wanted to take their career to the next level.
The event was attended by “Honeyjoon” director Lilian Mehrel, who made her debut feature with the $1 million prize she won from the 2024 AT&T Untold Stories competition. She explained how the competition, which awards the biggest prize of its kind in the world, empowered her to tell a story that might not have otherwise found a home in the industry.
“Thank you to AT&T, to AFI Fest, and to everyone who champions filmmakers,” she said. “Because of you, more untold stories become told.”
Her comments echoed those of “Color Book” director David Fortune, who attended the Future of Filmmaking Summit to share his own experience from the life-changing competition.
Keep reading to see all the photos from the 2026 AFI Filmmaker Party, presented by AT&T and IndieWire.
IndieWire Future of Filmmaking 2026 Summit is presented by AT&T Untold Stories, an impactful multi-year collaboration between AT&T and Tribeca Festival that awards $1.2 million dollars, mentorship, and comprehensive support to the next generation of filmmakers looking to bring their films to the big screen. For more information, visit here.
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