Celebrating 23 years as a program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST 2009 features international competitions of new films from emerging filmmakers, global showcases of the latest work from the great film masters and nightly red-carpet gala premieres. AFI FEST is the only film festival in the United States to hold the prestigious FIAPF accreditation assuring a high standard of quality and reliability for the international film community, and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards.

The programming committee of AFI FEST includes Aritistic Director Rose Kuo, Director of Programming Robert Koehler, Programmers Lane Kneedler and Jacqueline Lyanga, and Project: 20/20 Director Stacey Marbrey.