On Sunday, November 8, 2026, the American Film Association (AFA) holds the AFA Film Conference at The Beverly Hilton from 10 AM to 4 PM. The Inaugural AFA Gala follows that evening at the same venue.
The conference is ticketed, with four tiers: Basic at $147, Premium at $247, VIP at $747, and Diamond at $1,297. The VIP and Diamond tiers include gala access (each in a different, limited form, explained below).
Two events with separate access rules
The day runs as a pair, and the two halves work differently. That difference decides how you should attend.
The daytime conference is open to anyone who buys a tier. A conference ticket on its own doesn't include the gala, and the gala access you do get depends on the tier you hold.
Who the day is for
AFA provides education, programs, and community for independent filmmakers. The conference gives them an in-person program day, and the tiers let each attendee decide whether to add gala access and how much.
The gala also carries three moments for the AFA community: Kevin Hines receives the Impact Award, the Screenplay Award winner is announced live, and 6 Week Accelerator graduates are certified on stage.
AFA does not finance films and does not provide capital. November 8 is an education and recognition event, and AFA has no capital on offer there.
The conference
The confirmed facts are simple. The AFA Film Conference runs Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 10 AM to 4 PM at The Beverly Hilton.
No speaker list has been released yet, so this article names no speakers. Base your decision on what is confirmed: the date, the time, the venue, the organizer, and the tier rules below.
The four conference tiers
| Tier | Price | Gala access |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $147 | None |
| Premium | $247 | None |
| VIP | $747 | Gala networking cocktail hour only (black tie required). No Classic Gala seat. |
| Diamond | $1,297 | A Classic Gala seat |
Price and access don't line up the way people expect. VIP costs more than half of Diamond and still stops at the cocktail hour. Diamond is the only tier with a Classic Gala seat. Basic and Premium are conference-only, so don't buy either one expecting to attend the gala.
Read the access attached to a tier before you buy it.
The Inaugural Gala
The Inaugural AFA Gala takes place on the evening of November 8, after the conference.
Gala tickets are sold publicly.
The gala runs a cash bar. Drinks aren't included with any seat or tier.
Doors and start times for the gala haven't been set yet. Plan around the confirmed conference hours (10 AM to 4 PM) and an evening gala.
Three moments that anchor the evening
Kevin Hines receives the Impact Award, presented as part of the gala program.
The Screenplay Award winner is announced live, so anyone following the award will learn the result in the room.
6 Week Accelerator graduates receive their certificates on stage, which ties a multi-week AFA program directly to the evening.
The conference and the gala keep separate access rules, but the evening is where AFA recognizes its community in one room. That's why the two are presented as one day.
How to choose
- Conference only: Basic ($147) or Premium ($247). Neither includes gala access.
- Conference plus the gala networking cocktail hour: VIP ($747). Black tie is required, and the tier includes no Classic Gala seat.
- Conference plus a Classic Gala seat: Diamond ($1,297), the only tier that includes one.
- The gala without a qualifying tier: gala tickets are sold publicly.
In every case, the gala bar is cash only, and no gala start time has been announced.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the AFA Film Conference?
Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 10 AM to 4 PM at The Beverly Hilton.
When is the Inaugural AFA Gala?
The evening of Sunday, November 8, 2026. Doors and start times haven't been set yet.
How much are the conference tiers?
Basic is $147, Premium is $247, VIP is $747, and Diamond is $1,297.
Which tier includes a gala seat?
Diamond includes a Classic Gala seat. It's the only tier that does.
What gala access does VIP include?
The gala networking cocktail hour only, with black tie required. VIP doesn't include a Classic Gala seat.
Do Basic or Premium include gala access?
No. Both are conference-only.
Are drinks included at the gala?
No. The gala runs a cash bar, and drinks aren't included with any seat.
What happens at the gala?
Kevin Hines receives the Impact Award, the Screenplay Award winner is announced live, and 6 Week Accelerator graduates are certified on stage.
What is AFA?
The American Film Association provides education, programs, and community for independent filmmakers. It doesn't finance films or provide capital.
Frequently asked questions
What is happening at The Beverly Hilton on November 8, 2026?
The AFA Film Conference from 10 AM to 4 PM, and the Inaugural AFA Gala in the evening, both at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.
Which conference tier includes a gala seat?
Diamond includes a Classic Gala seat, and VIP includes the gala networking cocktail hour. Basic and Premium do not include gala access.
Can you buy AFA Gala tickets?
Yes. Gala tickets are sold publicly.
Are drinks included at the AFA Gala?
No. Drinks are a cash bar.