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
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 British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced the winners of the 2025 BAFTA Student Awards, and this year Film alums Alexander Molochnikov ’25 and Jean Chapiro ’25 won big, taking home the Live Action Award and the Special Jury Award for their film, Extremist.
Columbia University School of the Arts Film Program alum Chloe Sarbib ’20 has been selected as a fellow for the prestigious Sundance Directors Lab.
Former Film student Will Graham (CC '02) is set to direct the Vietnam War thriller Trust the Man, which he also wrote.
