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
Cannes Directors' Fortnight recently unveiled their selection for 2025, and several Columbia filmmakers are screening their films at this prestigious independent sidebar to the Cannes Film Festival organized by the French Directors' Guild.
Film alum Chris Teague ‘06 directed episodes two and three of Dying for Sex, a new comedy-drama miniseries based loosely on the real-life experiences of author and podcaster, Molly Kochan.
Film alum James Ponsoldt ‘05 directed the first two episodes of the eagerly anticipated Netflix series Running Point.
Film alum Constance Tsang '20 has been selected for the revered La Résidence du Festival de Cannes, a coveted residence in which emerging directors dedicate themselves to developing their first or second feature film projects in two sessions lasting four and a half months.
The Aspen Film Shortsfest announced its winners across nine categories, and Emily Everhard ’24 received the Jury’s Special Mention in Comedy for her film, No Experience Necessary.
The decorated filmmaker has helped develop a slew of films and TV shows since graduating from Columbia.
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.
