Dean & Chair’s Messages
Dean’s Message
Welcome to the 33rd Columbia University Film Festival––the culminating event for our MFA Film students and one I look forward to each year.
In 1987 when the Festival began, it consisted of only four shorts, followed by a panel discussion. Over time the Festival has become an expansive and greatly anticipated Columbia tradition, that includes several days of screenings, readings, interviews, panels, and events in New York and Los Angeles. This year, because the festival will be virtual, the 22 films screened also will be available to a large international audience.
In 2020, COVID-19 halted production as never before, immobilizing student filmmakers and those in the film industry as well. Nonetheless, students and recent alumni persisted in writing extraordinary scripts for film and television, as well as finishing excellent films. The festival therefore promises to be a unique and inspiring event.
The films will be varied, unexpected, at times profound, and full of exuberance. As always, there will be great interest in the work of this next generation of writers, producers, and filmmakers, especially because they have had to conceptualize and develop their work under extremely difficult conditions. But the creative spirit truly has prevailed and there will be much to enjoy.
Congratulations to all those whose work is in the festival and to the dedicated faculty and staff who have guided them over the years. I am sure we will find much that is both fascinating and exhilarating in itself and also will serve as a record of the creative brilliance of these artists at a unique historical moment.
Carol Becker
Dean of Faculty
Columbia University School of the Arts
Chair’s Message
The work we share through CUFF reflects the exchange of ideas and perspectives from around the world that we are fortunate to experience every day in the MFA Film Program.
Each script and film embodies our students’ years of rigorous writing and filmmaking practice, as well as their commitment to helping each other. In most years this work happens in person. But this year our screen & tv writers, directors, creative producers, faculty, festival staff and volunteers had to collaborate even more intensely to transcend the many challenges of COVID-19, including our physical separation.
While far apart, I’m proud that we found ways to complete this work together and bring you this film festival full of creativity, humanity and hope. CUFF 2021 vividly reflects the resilience of our community.
To all of our CUFF writers and filmmakers, I extend my appreciation for your hard work, and my excitement for the work you will do in years to come.For the cast, crew, families, friends and cinephiles joining us for this online celebration, thank you for joining us!
Hilary Brougher
Chair, Film Program
Columbia University School of the Arts