The Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills was the epicentre of Hollywood glamour on Friday as the American Film Institute (AFI) hosted its annual awards ceremony. The event, a key fixture in the awards season calendar, saw a constellation of stars from film and television gather to celebrate the year's most outstanding creative works.
A Symphony of Style on the Red Carpet
The red carpet was transformed into a showcase of sartorial elegance. Ariana Grande, 32, captured attention in a romantic blush pink strapless lace gown, which she accessorised with pearl earrings and an elegant updo. Grande, who plays Glinda in the honoured film Wicked: For Good, was a vision in the delicate ensemble.
Meanwhile, Gwyneth Paltrow, 53, epitomised sleek, minimalist chic in a black and white tank-style dress, wearing her signature straight blonde hair. Emma Stone, 37, star of the acclaimed Bugonia, wowed in an effortlessly chic strapless ivory dress from Calvin Klein Collection, completing the look with a dark belt.
The fashion statements were diverse and bold. Teyana Taylor, 35, made a striking impression in a fitted black suit worn with just a high-neck white collar, while Chase Infiniti, 25, commanded the spotlight in a baroque-inspired gold mini dress with a keyhole neckline. Laura Dern, 58, looked spectacular in a sequin burgundy dress paired with a brown trench coat, arriving alongside her Jay Kelly co-star George Clooney.
Leading Men and Inside Moments
The gentlemen offered their own takes on red carpet style. Jacob Elordi, 28, set a dapper tone in a cream suit, while Ethan Hawke, 55, broke from tradition in a peach-toned suit with crocodile boots. Veterans like Jeff Goldblum, 73, and Benicio del Toro, 58, cut sharp figures in classic black.
Inside the luncheon, the networking was as vibrant as the fashion. Gwyneth Paltrow was pictured sharing laughs and a warm hug with Leonardo DiCaprio, 51. Timothée Chalamet, 30, who skipped the red carpet, made a notable appearance inside, accessorising with a lavish Cartier panther necklace. The event buzzed with conversations between industry heavyweights, from Clooney and DiCaprio to Adam Sandler and Carol Burnett.
Honouring the Year's Best in Film and TV
The AFI Awards are prestigious annual honours recognising the most outstanding motion pictures and television programmes of the year. The 2025 list of honoured motion pictures is a who's who of cinematic achievement:
- Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century Studios)
- Bugonia (Focus Features)
- Frankenstein (Netflix)
- Hamnet (Focus Features)
- Jay Kelly (Netflix)
- Marty Supreme (A24)
- One Battle After Another (Warner Bros)
- Sinners (Warner Bros)
- Train Dreams (Netflix)
- Wicked: For Good (Universal)
Television honours were awarded to programmes including Adolescence, Andor, Severance, and The Diplomat. A special award was presented to Iranian director Jafar Panahi for his film It Was Just an Accident.
The event solidifies the AFI Awards as a crucial bellwether in the awards season, offering a glamorous and influential gathering for Oscar hopefuls and television luminaries alike. With the red carpet now rolled away, all eyes turn towards the next ceremonies in Hollywood's busy winter schedule.
