Critics, scholars, artists, AFI trustees pick lists that honor excellence and historically have often reflected choices made later by other award shows, including the Oscars and Emmys

By Alex Ben Block

HOLLYWOOD, CA. (Hollywood Today) 12/17/2007 – Each year the American Film Institute picks a list of top movies and TV shows that is described as “AFI’s almanac that records the year’s most outstanding achievements in film and television, as well as significant moments in the world of the moving image.”

As usual the AFI lists are include the movies most likely to be in contention for Oscars, and the TV list reflects many shows that will be up for Emmys when the time rolls around. Here are this years lists.

This “AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR” are: “Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead” (THINKFilm); “The Diving Bell and The Butterfly” (Miramax Films): “Into The Wild” (Paramount Vantage); “Juno” (Fox Searchlight); “Knocked Up” (Universal Pictures); “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros.); “No Country For Old Men” (Miramax Films); “Ratatouille” (Disney); “The Savages” (Fox Searchlight); and “There Will Be Blood” (Paramount Vantage).

The “AFI TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR” are: “Dexter” (Showtime); “Everybody Hates Chris” (The CW); “Friday Night Lights” (NBC); “Longford” (HBO); “Mad Men” (AMC); “Pushing Daisies” (ABC); “The Sopranos” (HBO); “Tell Me You Love Me” (HBO); “30 Rock” (NBC); and “Ugly Betty” (ABC).

The movies and TV shows are picked by separate juries of 13 people each. The jurors include film scholars, critics, artists and, AFI trustees, who are all involved in the industry. The movies and TV shows that made this year’s list will be honored at a luncheon January 11, 2008 in Los Angeles.

The published criteria for the annual honors is as follows: “AFI AWARDS honors excellence in American film and television by recognizing the creative ensembles that collaborate to create the year’s outstanding movies and television programs, all of which best advanced the art of the moving image; enhanced the rich cultural heritage of America’s art form; inspired audiences and artists alike; and/or made a mark on American society.”