Events

The 33rd annual Columbia University Film Festival (CUFF) is a showcase of thesis-level work from students and recent alumni of the School of the Arts MFA Film Program. CUFF will take place virtually April 23–May 3, 2021. The festival will include 22 short films, an evening of staged script readings, Q&As, panel discussions, award ceremonies, and social events. All films will stream and events will take place on the online platform Filmocracy.

Among the festival’s many awards, Cherien Dabis ’04 will receive the Andrew Sarris Award. Named for the late Film Program professor and world-renowned critic and theorist, the Sarris Award honors outstanding Film Program alumni and will be presented Friday, April 23rd at 7 pm ET during the Screenwriting Night as the first live festival event.

All access passes are available to the public for $20 online. Columbia University students, alumni, faculty, and staff can receive free passes with promo code. More detailed information about how to attend the festival can be found here, along with an up-to-date schedule of events.

Columbia University Film Festival

For an up-to-date schedule of events, visit the CUFF website.

Friday, April 23–Monday, May 3

All 22 festival short films available to stream.

Friday, April 23

Screenwriting Night, 7 pm ET

An evening of screenplay readings and awards. Cherien Dabis ’04 will receive the Andrew Sarris Award at this event. 

Sunday, April 25

Filmmaker Q&A for Program Block A, 7 pm ET

A group Q&A with the filmmakers behind the shorts in Program Block A: Beauty Marks, Entre tú y Milagros, Last Days First Days, The Missing Chair, and We Are A Family.

Monday, April 26

Filmmaker Q&A for Program Block B, 7 pm ET

A group Q&A with the filmmakers behind the shorts in Program Block B: El Clásico, Must Love Pie, Space Vamps, and Stay Don't Go.

Tuesday, April 27

Filmmaker Q&A for Program Block C, 7 pm ET

A group Q&A with the filmmakers behind the shorts in Program Block C: Anita, Disappearing, The Wood Thrush, and Yitik.

Wednesday, April 28

Filmmaker Q&A for Program Block D, 7 pm ET

A group Q&A with the filmmakers behind the shorts in Program Block D: The Day He Returns, Ese verano nos quedamos en casa (That Summer, We Stayed at Home), Forastera, and Lucia. 

Thursday, April 29

Filmmaker Q&A for Program Block E, 7 pm ET

A group Q&A with the filmmakers behind the shorts in Program Block E: Beau, Duet, An Evening With Laila, Jensen, and Muscle Memory. 

Monday, May 3

Awards Night, 7 pm ET

Awards ceremony of the films designated as Jury Selects of the festival. The 2021 festival jury consists of five outside jurors from within the film industry: Programmer Caryn Coleman (Nitehawk Cinema), producer Chanelle Elaine (First Match), producer Gerry Kim (I’m No Longer Here), executive Jonathan Sehring (IFC Films), and executive Sasha Silver (Hulu). Attendees are encouraged to watch the Jury Selects program immediately before the event.