Mel Brooks to receive Life Achievement Award

Martin Scorsese to make presentation on behalf of American Film Institute

by Amber Wilkinson

Mel Brooks is to receive an American Film Institute Life Achievement Award on June 6.

He will receive the award from Michael Scorsese at a black tie dinner at the Dolby Theatre in recognition of his work as a director producer, writer, actor and composer on films including The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.

It is the 41st time the Life Achievement Award has been bestowed since its creation in 1973 - when it was presented to director John Ford. Other past recipients include, Meryl Streep, Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford and Mike Nichols.

"For over 50 years, Mel Brooks has given the world its greatest gift - laughter," said Sir Howard Stringer, Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees. "At the American Film Institute, we also want to shine a proper light on his contributions to the art form as writer, producer, director and actor - and who better to bestow this honour than one of the masters of American film, Martin Scorsese."

Proceeds from the AFI Life Achievement Award gala event directly support the Institute's national education programmes and the preservation of American film history.

Share this with others on...
News

Inviting curiosity Ildikó Enyedi on the value of science, perception, discovery and Silent Friend

Streaming Spotlight: the rites of Spring We shine our Beltane spotlight on films in which the old ways linger

Fighting fit for a debut feature Valéry Carnoy talks toxic masculinity, memory, confidence and Belgian 'soft-power'

Collective power We look ahead at the programme of this year's Folk Film Gathering

Writing hidden messages Arnaud Desplechin on guilt, melodrama, feeling haunted, and Two Pianos

Clever crafting with Idiots Chris Barfoot on his six-camera set up and three-day shoot of his debut feature

More news and features

We're bringing you news and reviews from the San Francisco Independent Film Festival and Queer East.



We're looking forward to Cannes.



We've recently brought you coverage of Visions du Réel, Fantaspoa, Overlook, BFI Flare and SXSW, the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival, the NY Rendezvous with French Cinema, the Glasgow Film Festival, the Berlinale, Sundance and Palm Springs.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest from the spring events:


Cannes 16 titles added to line-up


Cannes Announces full jury


Cannes Directors' Fortnight selection


Cannes Payal Kapadia heads Critics' Week jury