The Legacy of Milos Forman
In 1978, esteemed director Milos Forman and his Screenwriting mentor Frank Daniel were appointed co-chairs of the Film Program. Under their leadership, the program flourished and became the world-renowned institution of film education that it is today. In many ways, Forman was the "creative founder" of Columbia Film, having shaped and refined its commitment to narrative filmmaking anchored in strong screenplays. He gave it a character as distinct as his own—original, passionate, intelligent, and international.
News
Four short films and one feature by Columbia students and alums are set to screen at this year’s Slamdance festival.
Film alum Alexander Molochnikov '25, an internationally acclaimed director from the Moscow Art Theatre, is the creator and director of a Seagull: True Story, a new adaptation of the classic Chekhov play which will premiere at The Public Theater on March 22, 2026.
Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire, a documentary co-produced by Professor Annette Insdorf, is now streaming nationwide on PBS as part of its acclaimed American Masters series.
It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, which was assistant-edited by Film alum Sushant Chaudhary '21, has been nominated for the American Cinema Editors’ Eddie Award for Best Edited Documentary Feature.
Metrograph Pictures is presenting a special survey event, Politics of Time, showcasing several films from Associate Professor of Film Anocha Suwichakornpong '06 between February 21 and March 1, 2026.
The Independent Spirit Awards have celebrated the best in indie cinema, across film and television, for over forty years. The 2026 ceremony will showcase the contributions of six Columbia alums who were nominated for seven awards, including Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay.
Teach Me, a new series written and executive produced by Film alum Lisa Rubin '13, is set to go into production for A24 and Peacock this year with Mandy Moore starring.
Professor of Professional Practice Ramin Bahrani '96 has started production on his new film, Vegas: A Love Story. Oscar-nominee Bahrani is both a co-writer and director on the project.
Columbia alumni and faculty continue to showcase their work at the Berlinale Film Festival, hosted in its titular city, this year for its 76th edition.
MFA Film alums Moara Passoni '21 and Eda Çarikçi '23 have been selected to join the 2026 Berlinale Talents Program. The theme of this year’s program is Creating (and) Confusion - Cinema, Chaos and the Power of Discomfort.
This year’s Sundance Film Festival—the last to be held in Park City, Utah before the festival moves to Boulder, Colorado next year—saw some massive wins for Columbia filmmakers, who took home some of the festival's top prizes.
Screenwriting alum Constanza Majluf '21 will start production on her first feature film titled Pink Desert, or, Desierto Rosa, later this year.
