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
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.
Several projects by School of the Arts alums are on the slate for this year's Gotham Week Project Market.
The Association for Advancement of Baltic Studies (AABS), has awarded Film student Marta Kalnina the Jānis Grundmanis Postgraduate Fellowship for study in the US.
The Sisters Grimm, developed by Film alum and Emmy Award nominee Amy Higgins '06, will premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday, October 3, 2025.
The 52nd Telluride Film Festival held annually in Telluride, Colorado during Labor Day weekend saw Columbia Filmmakers and faculty shine.
The new action-packed thriller-comedy Caught Stealing opened in theaters on August 29, 2025. The film was associate produced by Emmy Award nominee and Film alum Justin Gonçalves '22.
Rory Haines '11 and Sohrab Noshirvani '12 met in their first screenwriting class at the School of the Arts over ten years ago and quickly developed a creative partnership. Since then, they've collaborated on dozens of projects.
