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
Middle of Nowhere, a half-hour, single camera indie television pilot created, written, directed and executive produced by Adjunct Professor Michele Palermo, is experiencing a successful festival showing.
Leylak, written and produced by Mustafa Kaymak '14, associate produced by Mark Castillo '18, and executive produced by Sola Fasehun '15, was named the winner of the 2021 Special Jury Mention Award in the shorts category of this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.
Seven films by Columbia Filmmakers will screen at the internationally esteemed 2021 Cannes Film Festival.
Alumna Yossera Bouchtia '19 participated in The Gotham's TV Series Lab with her show Yasmine/Jasmine from May 24-28, 2021.
Study in Blue, a feature screenplay written by alumnus Patrick Clement '20, was among the Top Official Selection at the 2021 Richmond International Film Festival's screenplay competition.
Student Aliza Brugger recently directed and edited the music video for artist Sa-Roc's new single Wild Seeds. Alumnus Scott Gerlomes '20 served as producer.
Alumnus Davíð Már Stefánsson '19 has written multiple episodes for Katla, the first original Netflix show from Iceland, created by director Baltasar Kormákur and co-created by showrunner Sigurjón Kjartansson.
Slow Machine, a feature film co-directed and written by alumnus Paul Felten '04 and produced by alumnus and Adjunct Professor Shrihari Sathe '09, will screen virtually at Metrograph from June 5 to 10, 2021.
Race for the Vaccine, a television documentary edited by alumnus Shayon Maitra '17, had its premiere on CNN on May 15. The film is currently available for streaming on demand via cable/satellite systems, CNNgo platforms, and CNN mobile apps.
Two filmmakers will have their films screen at the 2021 Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. They are: The Virgin, The Old Lady, The Journey, (La Virgen, La Vieja y el Viaje), written & directed by fifth-year Film student Natalia Luque and produced by alumna Marta Cruañas Compés '20, and Don’t Come Close by alumnus Daniel Pfeffer ‘18.
Third-year Film student Dhruv Sud was recently selected to receive The Joel Schumacher / Sophia Cranshaw Scholarship Award as part of his participation in this summer’s Film and Media Career Development Program with Gotham EDU, a project of The Gotham Film & Media Institute.
These directors, screenwriters, and producers — all with Columbia degrees — have found enviable success in the streaming era.
