AFI FEST 2023 proved to be a cinematic extravaganza, announcing its Grand Jury Award winners and Special Mentions in categories like Live Action Short, Documentary Short, and Animated Short. The festival, held in Los Angeles, showcased over 140 titles, offering a diverse array of films over five days. Notable highlights included screenings of 20 Best International Oscar® Submissions and films introduced by Guest Artistic Director Greta Gerwig, such as "ALL OF US STRANGERS," "AMERICAN FICTION," "THE BIKERIDERS," "FINGERNAILS," "MEMORY," and "PEE-WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE." With a lineup featuring 43% of films directed by women, 36% by BIPOC filmmakers, and 17% by LGBTQIA+ filmmakers, AFI FEST celebrated inclusivity and diversity. The festival's success, marked by record-breaking attendance, underscored the enduring power of cinema to unite audiences.