This week, the American Film Institute announced its picks for the top films of 2009.  These selections are based on the achievements of the collaborative ensemble effort of those in front of and behind the camera in both film and TV.  AFI Awards are decided upon by a thirteen-person jury of film scholars, artists, critics, and trustees that discuss and debate on the selections.

AFI President and CEO, Bob Gazzale, talks about the award program:

“AFI AWARDS 2009 is the tenth chapter in a century-long program to honor the artists and their work.  This program celebrates the creative community – not competition – and it is in this spirit that the institute brings America’s storytellers together to acknowledge their contributions to our nation’s rich cultural heritage.”

Here are AFI’s official selections for 2009:

AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR—OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
CORALINE
THE HANGOVER
THE HURT LOCKER
THE MESSENGER
PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY SAPPHIRE
A SERIOUS MAN
A SINGLE MAN
SUGAR
UP
UP IN THE AIR

AFI TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR—OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
THE BIG BANG THEORY
BIG LOVE
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
GLEE
MAD MEN
MODERN FAMILY
THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY
NURSE JACKIE
PARTY DOWN
TRUE BLOOD

Does this list jive with yours for 2009?

[Commentary]

Noticeably absent is James Cameron’s “Avatar” that has made other award lists already.  AFI does consider all films with release dates up to the end of the year so the timing is not the issue. Perhaps “Avatar” isn’t as ground-breaking as it is hyped up to be?  Instead, the animated films they honor this year are Neil Gaiman’s “Coraline” and “Up”.

[Source] AFI