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
Running out of Road is a narrative music short directed, shot, edited, co-written and co-produced by current student Cole Smith and co-written and co-produced by musician Lauren Jenkins.
Columbia University continues to have a strong presence at prestigious film festivals this year. Twenty three Columbia alumni, faculty, and current students including writers, directors, producers, actors, cinematographers, and post-supervisors, will showcase at this year’s Tribeca film festival which runs April 24–May 26.
This year, four films by Columbia students and alumni will head to the 28th annual Aspen Shortsfest, which will run from April 2-7, 2019.
The Immigration Game, a screenplay written by current student Asad Farooqui is one of three winners at the Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition in the Feature Film category. Farooqui’s feature script Bin and pilot script Brown Country were also semifinalists in the competition along with the short script, Circles, written by alumna Renee Marie Petropoulos '17 who was a finalist.
Epizoda?, a film written and directed by Graeme Cole, with sound design and sound mix by Adjunct Assistant Professor, Michael Cacioppo Belantara, is now available on Tao Films.
Combat Obscura, a documentary directed by current student, Miles Lagoze, premieres on March 15th despite external efforts to suppress the film. The documentary is also edited by alumnus Eric Schuman '17 and associate produced by current Theatre student Ciara Ni Chuirc.
Kanarí, a short film co-written & directed by alumnus Erlendur Sveinsson '18, co-written by current student Connor Simpson, co-produced by alumnus Daniel Raiffe '18, and edited by current student Brúsi Ólason, was shortlisted for the Shortfish award at the Stockfish Film Festival in Iceland.
Those Who Whistle After Dark, a feature project written by alumna Pinar Yorgancioglu '16 and produced by alumna Sarah Seulki Oh '15, was selected for the Venice Biennale's College Cinema program.
Hierophany, written and directed by alumnus Kevin Contento '18 and assistant directed by alumnus Daniel Pfeffer '18, will have its Florida Premiere at the 36th Miami Film Festival (March 1-10, 2019) as part of the Made in MIA Short Film Award. It will also receive its New York Premiere as part of the Caribbean Film Series: A 5th Anniversary Festival which will be held at BAM in Brooklyn (March 14-17, 2019). The film has previously screened at prestigious film festivals including the LA Film Festival 2018 as well as Slamdance Film Festival…
The Question Authority, a timely novel that tackles abuse and the #MeToo movement, written by film alumna Rachel Cline ’87 drops April 18, 2019.
Cancion Sin Nombre (Song Without a Name), a feature directed by alumna Melina León '08, was acquired by Luxbox.
Film alumna Fany de la Chica '18 performed in a musical performance at St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University along with Columbia College alumnus Jake Chapman '16 on piano and Columbia College alumna Eli Aleinikoff '16 on saxophone. The performance was a mix of flamenco with jazz.
