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
Frameline, the media and arts nonprofit that hosts the annual San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, has announced that Film student Nana Duffour is a recipient of the annual Frameline Completion Fund Grant.
Film alum Kaelo Justin Iyizoba ’23 has been named one of eight filmmakers selected for the inaugural Sundance Cultural Impact Residency.
Media Res, the studio behind acclaimed series such as The Morning Show and Pachinko, has announced that it will begin the production Summer of 1985, a series co-written by Film alum Melina Maraki '23, later this year, marking a significant milestone for the rising screenwriter.
Film alum Chris Galletta '10, of Kings of Summer (2013) fame, is co-writer on the wildly popular new blockbuster, A Minecraft Movie. The film, based on the beloved Mojang video game, opened April 4, 2025 and made an incredible $140 million on its opening weekend.
Associate Professor and Co-Concentration Head of the Writing for Film and Television concentration Blair Singer has secured a script commitment at Fox for a television adaptation of the bestselling novel Cold Blooded Liar by Karen Rose. Singer will write and executive produce the project.
After a stellar premiere at South by Southwest earlier this month, audiences will be able to catch Holland, a new American mystery thriller written by Film alum Andrew Sodroski '10, on Prime Video when it hits the streaming service on March 27.
Film alum Ivan Rome ’24 has been selected for the 2025 class of the Black Boy Writes / Black Girl Writes Mentorship Initiative for emerging voices.
Columbia filmmakers Constance Tsang '20 and Gabriel Mayers (CC '17) will screen their work at the 54th edition of New Directors/New Films (ND/NF) set to take place from April 2 through April 13, 2025.
The 97th Academy Awards started on a high for Columbia film, as heavy favorite Kieran Culkin took home the night’s first award for his role in A Real Pain, executive produced by Jennifer Westin ’06.
Less than a year after graduating from the Film program, Nimisha Misra '24 has won the prestigious Filmfare Award and SWA (Screenwriter's Association of India) Award for her work as writer on the Netflix series Kaala Paani.
Three Columbia projects turned into four wins at the 40th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards, held Saturday, February 22 in Santa Monica, California.
Last night, celebrated filmmaker, Film Program alum, and Dean's Council Chair Katharina Otto-Bernstein '92 (CC '86) was honored by the Columbia Alumni Association with a 2025 John Jay Award.
