Film News

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

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.

Halle Berry is set to star in Fleur, the latest drama from writer and director Ellie Foumbi '17

The 77th Emmy Award Winners have been announced, and a number of projects worked on by Columbia filmmakers are among the winners.

En El Camino (On The Road), a film written and directed by former Film student David Pablos took home the Orizzonti Award for Best Film in the 82nd International Venice Film Festival and took home the honor of the Queer Lion.

Film alum Mo Ogrodnik' 96 has published her cinematic debut novel, Gulf, with Simon & Schuster/Summit (US).

Rosemead, a film written and produced by a roster of Columbia faculty and grads, took home the honor of the Prix du Public UBS award on the final night of the 2025 Locarno Film Festival.

Film alum Emily Everhard '24 was selected as one of eight 2025 WGA East X FilmNation Screenwriting Fellows.

Screenwriting student Leon Ristov was one of ten Sundance Institute Ignite X Adobe Fellows selected for their 2025 cohort.

Directing alum Alexander Molochnikov '25 and Creative Producing alum Jean Chapiro '25 won a National Board of Review Student Grant for their short film Extremist.

Four Columbia filmmakers will screen their films at the Indy Shorts International Film Festival in Indianapolis this July 22–27.

After a whirlwind weekend in the California desert, three Columbia filmmakers left the Palm Springs International Shortfest with special mentions for their student films.

Film alum Grainne Godfree ’03 wrote and co-executive produced an episode of Daredevil: Born Again now streaming on Disney+.

The Blue List

Columbia University Blue List Script Competition connects the Film Program’s most talented recent graduates with leading professionals in the world of film and television. The Blue List represents the most esteemed, un-produced screenplays and television pilots written by Film & Playwriting graduates of the Columbia University’s School of the Arts.

Student Series

Headshot of Angeline Dimambro
Life After Film School

by Angeline Dimambro

This series catches up with Columbia filmmakers who have recently graduated to discuss what they’re doing now and their goals for the future.

Headshot of Carlos Barragan
This is Who We Are

by Carlos Barragán

A series featuring Columbia School of the Arts’ professors, covering careers, pedagogy, and art-making.

Headshot of Felix van Kann
Columbia Filmmakers Connect

by Felix van Kann

Features the new mentorship program that connects recent alumni with industry professionals. 

Aisha Amin
Weekend Watchlist

by Aisha Amin

Features Columbia Film Professors, discussing their best film and TV recommendations for aspiring filmmakers.

Frozen poster

Writer and co-director: Jennifer Lee '05

Superbad poster

Writer-director: Greg Mottola '91

Zero Dark Thirty poster

Writer, director, producer: Kathryn Bigelow '79

Logan poster

Co-writer and director: James Mangold '99

Yellowjackets poster

Co-creator, executive producer, writer: Ashley Lyle '07

Shirkers poster

Writer-director: Sandi Tan '00