This coming spring, one of the highest-esteemed awards in film will be presented to actress Nicole Kidman. The American Film Institute’s Life Achievement award is considered the highest honor in the industry, and it has been an honor bestowed upon some of film’s greatest influences for 49 years now.
While Kidman was announced as the award recipient in early 2022 and the gala in which she would receive the award was scheduled for the summer, the nationwide Writer’s Guild of America strike ensued. This led to the postponement of the award ceremony, and it wasn’t until two weeks ago that a new date was announced.
On November 13th, the American Film Institute announced their new ceremony date on April 27th, 2024. At the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, the Gala Tribute will take place where film influences and AFI donors will gather to recognize her achievements in the industry.
The AFI Life Achievement Award was established in 1973 to “celebrate an individual whose career in motion pictures has greatly contributed to the enrichment of American culture,” according to the AFI’s website.
The first Life Achievement Award was bestowed to John Ford, who is considered to be one of the most influential film directors of his generation. Ford was well-known for his book adaptations, directing films like “The Grapes of Wrath” (1940), based on John Steinbeck’s classic novel.
Some more well-known AFI Life Achievement Honorees include Tom Hanks (2002), Meryl Streep (2004), Jane Fonda (2014), and George Clooney (2018).
The tribute gala will be shared as a special on a handful of streaming services, though more information regarding its availability to nationwide viewers will be shared closer to the event. Past tribute specials can be found online as well. More information regarding the award and the mission of the American Film Institute can be found at www.afi.com.
Ava Stockstad is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].
