Phil Lord and Chris Miller have been named guest artistic directors for AFI Fest 2026, where they will curate films that influenced their work, including Project Hail Mary. The appointment will also feature a Q&A with the filmmaking duo following a screening of 2001: A Space Odyssey, highlighting their influence and longstanding contribution to contemporary cinema.

The festival’s 40th edition will run at Hollywood’s TCL Chinese Theatres from 21–25 October, opening with the US premiere of Wildwood. Other scheduled films include The Mosquito Bowl and Being Heumann, while the full programme will be announced on 29 September. Lord and Miller’s selected influences include Harold and Maude, The Muppet Movie and Rififi; Project Hail Mary has earned more than $684 million worldwide.