Maya Deren Award
The Maya Deren Award, officially the AFI Award for Independent Film and Video Artists, was given by the American Film Institute to honor independent filmmakers and video artists. Named after avant-garde filmmaker Maya Deren, it ran from 1986 to 1996. AFI created the award in 1985, and the first ceremony was January 30, 1986, at the Tower Gallery in Manhattan, New York City. The first winners were Nam June Paik, Stan Brakhage, and Sally Cruikshank. The initial co-chairs were Marsha Mason and Karen Cooper, and the prize included $5,000.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 08:05 (CET).