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
Two-time Emmy Award and Peabody-winning filmmaker and Professor of Professional Practice Trey Ellis wrote for and served as a consulting producer on the new Amazon Prime series, Hotel Costiera.
On October 17, Netflix premiered The Twits, an animated retelling of Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book, co-directed and co-written by Film alum Phil Johnston '04.
Film student Çağla Demirbaş, an award-winning filmmaker, flexed her chops behind the camera at 212 Photography Istanbul, which sprawled across the city this autumn from September 29 to October 12.
Columbia Filmmakers Champion LGBTQ+ Stories at NewFest2025; Nana Duffour '25 Takes Home Three Prizes
The 37th edition of NewFest wrapped on October 21, 2025 and Film alum Nana Duffour '25 emerged as one of the night’s brightest stars, sweeping three top honors across the Jury, Audience and Emerging Black LGBTQ+ Filmmaker categories.
Film alum Mounia Akl '17 has directed three episodes of Netflix’s show House of Guinness, created by the same team as Peaky Blinders.
For Zefan Wang, SoA ’25, what started out as a casual browse of film festival submission platforms ended with him accepting a trophy bestowed by filmmaker Jon M. Chu.
Film student Zefan Wang takes home 2025 Student Academy Award in the Narrative Category for his short film, Kubrick, Like I Love You.
Doin’ It, a new comedy directed and co-written by Sara Zandieh '11, had its theatrical release on September 19, 2025. The film follows the life of Maya, played by Lilly Singh, who works as a substitute teacher while developing an app for teens. Through her side-job, this 30-year-old virgin finds herself teaching sex education.
Film alum and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Film and Media Studies Daryl Wang '25 took home the Sonje Award for Best Short Film (Asia) at the 2025 Busan International Film Festival for his film Delay.
Good Boy is set to open in theaters on Friday, October 3, 2025. The horror movie, shot from the perspective of a dog, is making its way to theaters after a massively successful festival run.
Forastera won the International Federation of Film Critics' FIPRESCI Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14, 2025.
The 63rd New York Film Festival, taking place from September 26 to October 13, 2025, will spotlight works by Columbia alums, placing their stories at the heart of one of global cinema’s most prestigious events.
