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 films by Columbia alums have been selected as their countries' official submissions to the 98th Academy Award for Best International Film.
Boots, a new series co-run by Film alum Andy Parker '11 and based on Greg Cope Wire’s memoir The Pink Marine, has just come out on Netflix and has held a spot in the top 10 most watched television shows since its premiere on October 9, 2025.
Two films by Columbia filmmakers took home major awards at the 2025 New Hampshire Film Festival.
Grow, a new feature film produced by Joe Capotorto '18 and co-produced by Fernando Morrett Garza '25, was released in theaters across the United States on October 3, 2025.
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.
