AFR's mission was to celebrate "timeless American values by producing, showcasing and distributing films that promoted freedom (including free speech, free enterprise, and freedom of worship), rugged individualism, and triumph of the human spirit".
The first AFR festival premiered in September, 2004 in Dallas, Texas and received extensive press coverage.
[1] Aside from Dallas, AFR also hosted festivals in Hollywood, California, Traverse City, Michigan and Washington, D.C. At its festivals, AFR screened feature films such as The World's Fastest Indian starring Anthony Hopkins and documentaries such as The Bituminous Coal Queens of Pennsylvania produced by Patricia Heaton.
Celebrities who appeared at AFR events included Heaton, Gary Sinise, Robert Davi, and Tony Shalhoub.
One notable AFR training graduate was Rich Middlemas, producer of the 2011 Academy Award Winner for Best Documentary, Undefeated.