Plot Synopsis

Every year since 1973 (except in: 2020 & 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic; and 2023, because of a scheduling issue), the American Film Institute (AFI) has bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award -- the highest honor for a career in film -- to one recipient during a gala tribute. The AFI selection criteria states that "the recipient should be one whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time." In 1993, the AFI Board of Trustees extended the criteria to encompass individuals with active careers and work of significance yet to be accomplished. The first recipient was John Ford; other recipients include: Denzel Washington, Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Sean Connery, Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Barbara Streisand, Harrison Ford, Jane Fonda, John Williams, George Clooney, and more.
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THE 49TH AFI LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: A TRIBUTE TO NICOLE KIDMAN premieres on TNT on June 17, 2024 from 10-11:30pm ET/PT and on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) on June 27, 2024 at 8pm ET/PT. AFI has honored 49 remarkable talents and the organization celebrated the 2024 honoree Nicole Kidman with an AFI Life Achievement Award on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The event was originally scheduled for June 10, 2023. This 90-minute television special features tributes honoring Kidman -- the first Australian actor to receive the AFI Life Achievement Award -- including speeches from Zoe Saldana, Aaron Sorkin, Keith Urban, Reese Witherspoon, among others and taped messages from Hugh Jackman, Jane Campion, Jimmy Fallon, Cate Blanchett, George Miller, Baz Luhrmann and Russell Crowe. In presenting the award, Meryl Streep, recipient of the 32nd AFI Life Achievement Award, praised Kidman's formidable talent and stunning range of work. Plus, Lee Daniels, Ava DuVernay, Zac Efron, Cynthia Erivo, Morgan Freeman, Barry Jenkins, David E. Kelley, Joey King, Mimi Leder, Mike Myers, Edward James Olmos, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jane Seymour,Brian Tee, Miles Teller, Lulu Wang, Naomi Watts and more filled the Dolby Theatre to celebrate Kidman's award-winning career.