Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute (AFI) on Saturday, in a star-studded ceremony celebrating his fearless contributions to cinema.
The 86-year-old director, known for timeless masterpieces like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, was honored by iconic filmmakers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Lucas remembered Coppola encouraging him early in his career, saying, “don’t be afraid of jumping off cliffs,” while Spielberg praised The Godfather as “the greatest American film ever made,” calling Coppola “fearless” and a trailblazer who reshaped American cinema.
“You’ve redefined the canon of American film, and in doing so, inspired generations of storytellers,” Spielberg said during the event held at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre.
The AFI, renowned for its authoritative lists of the greatest films in history, lauded Coppola as a “dreamer,” “pioneer,” and “maverick.” The evening brought together film legends such as Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, Harrison Ford, and Diane Lane—all of whom reflected on Coppola’s impact on their careers and the industry at large.
Taking the stage, Coppola spoke emotionally about what the award meant to him: “Now I understand here, this place that created me, my home, isn’t really a place at all—but you, friends, colleagues, teachers, playmates, family, neighbours, all the beautiful faces welcoming me back.”
Known for his uncompromising artistic vision, Coppola famously clashed with studio executives throughout his career. His bold approach was evident even during the production of Apocalypse Now, when he once threw five of his Oscars out of a window in frustration.
Actor Dustin Hoffman humorously noted that Coppola had helped launch many young actors’ careers but only cast him at age 86, in the upcoming sci-fi epic Megalopolis.
The AFI has previously bestowed its Lifetime Achievement honor on industry greats such as Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese, Jack Nicholson, and Al Pacino. Pacino joined De Niro onstage to pay tribute to Coppola, who directed both actors in The Godfather Part II.
Reflecting on his legacy and passion for risk-taking, Coppola told AFP: “I think making art without risk is like making babies without sex. It’s possible, but it’s not the best way to do it.”
