The American Film Institute announced its new program AFI Movie Club has expanded the organization’s social reach and has united more film enthusiasts.

AFI Movie Club launched on March 31 and since then garnered more than 2.5 million impressions on social media, and visits to AFI’s website increased by 124% with users spending 72% more time on the AFI Movie Club page.

The program’s purpose was to bring artists and audiences together while apart amid the coronavirus pandemic. AFI selects an iconic movie each day for people to watch together, creating a communal viewing experience at afi.com/movieclub.

Special guest Willem Dafoe, an Academy Award-nominated actor, announced the film “Casablanca” as the AFI Member Top Pick on April 14. The film has the distinction of being one of AFI’s most celebrated films across its lists and, to celebrate the film’s designation as an AFI Member Top Pick, members submitted short videos sharing why they love the film.

AFI shared and posted these fan videos across its social media channels.

“When AFI Movie Club was launched, our hope was to bring together movie lovers across the world, and we were honored that so many people have welcomed us into their homes,” said Bob Gazzale, president and CEO. “To our AFI members who have engaged with us and those future members who are just finding out about everything AFI has to offer, we thank you for supporting AFI and its mission to honor the art of the moving image.”

AFI Movie Club’s first selection was the “The Wizard of Oz,” which Steven Speilberg announced for AFI. Since the launch of the program Halle Berry, Robert De Niro, Cynthia Erivo, Morgan Freeman, Taylor Hackford, Eva Longoria, Helen Mirren, Elisabeth Moss, Brad Pitt and Emma Roberts introduced AFI Movie Club film titles. A different actor announces the selection for each day.

AFI was established in 1967 and the organization dedicates itself to the education of artists and audiences through initiatives that champion the past, present and future of the moving image.

For information, visit afi.com.