UCLA Department of Film, Television and Digital Media

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UCLA Department of Film, Television and Digital Media

The official page for the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media at UCLA

08/05/2026

SPOTLIGHT: MFA Directing alumna Merry May Ma (’25) is premiering her Sloan-winning thesis short GARDENERS at the Oscar-qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival! A whimsical exploration of nature and human connection, GARDENERS screens at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12 at Regal NoHo. |

🔗：https://www.lashortsfest.com/events/wednesday-august-12-1-00-pm-program-65

The film was supported by a $30,000 grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for its authentic portrayal of chemical engineering, alongside a complete camera package grant from Panavision honoring Merry May's distinct cinematic vision.

Congratulations, Merry May!

06/12/2026

🎬✨ Last night's Thesis Showcase was a celebration of artistic vision, creativity and storytelling at its finest. The evening, hosted by students Olive Samuel Greenspan and Harsh Vardhan Singh, highlighted the culminating works of UCLA TFT MFA filmmakers whose thesis films represent years of dedication, growth and exploration.

We were honored to welcome Distinguished Alumni Honoree Arkesh Ajay, whose acclaimed work across film and television continues to inspire the next generation of storytellers.

Audiences were treated to an extraordinary lineup of films, including "Jesus Slays!" (Jazmyne Black), "Rite of Passage "(Lissy Aschieries & Jake Aschieries), "Bruised Lantana" (Trent Miller), "Tahara" (Olive Samuel Greenspan), "Tell Me About a Complicated Man" (María Paula Ávila Vera), "A Study of Grey" (Michelle Li), "Image Exile" (Wendy Tong), "Drift" (Yi Yu), and "Maktoub" (Kunle Fasasi).

Congratulations to all of tonight’s directors. Your stories challenged, moved and inspired us. The future of cinema is in exceptional hands. 🌟

06/11/2026

🎤🎞️ Big ideas, inventive pitches, and future industry leaders grabbed the spotlight last night at Producers Marketplace 2026!

The evening featured outstanding presentations from UCLA Producers Program finalists Amanda Lee (Akane), Cory Bishop (Bodega Cats), Maya Sophia Braslaw (Crocodile), and Laura B. Abellan (Dreamer), who pitched their original projects before an esteemed panel of industry judges.
A special thank you to faculty speaker Paul Green and judges Tara Joshi, Tyler Konney, and Regina “Genie” Thomas for sharing their expertise and helping spotlight the next generation of producing talent.

Congratulations to tonight’s double award recipient, Amanda Lee!
🏆 Dan Angel Family Producers Award (Judges’ Choice)
🏆 Barbara Boyle Promising Producers Prize (Audience Choice)

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening filled with creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and exciting new stories waiting to be brought to life.

06/10/2026

✍️🎬 We celebrated outstanding writing at the 2026 Screenwriters Showcase last night!

The evening, hosted by students Olivia MacDonald and Isabelle McKelvey, celebrated the exceptional voices emerging from UCLA’s Screenwriting MFA Program and honored scripts recognized by industry professionals as the year’s best.

We were thrilled to welcome Distinguished Screenwriter Award honoree Rachel Bloom, the acclaimed creator and star of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, whose groundbreaking work continues to inspire writers everywhere.

Congratulations to this year’s award winners:

🏆 Original Screenplay – Greyson Wyatt, Son of Duke
🏆 Adapted Screenplay – Annie Farrell, The Lady With The Dog
🏆 Half-Hour Pilot – Isabelle McKelvey, The Landlords
🏆 Hour Pilot – Yayabell Debay, The Retreat
Congratulations as well to all of tonight’s nominees for sharing bold, original stories that represent the future of film and television writing.

06/09/2026

🎥🌟 The future of storytelling took center stage last night at the 2026 Undergraduate Showcase!

From documentaries that moved the audience to innovative animation to deeply emotional narrative films, UCLA’s graduating seniors demonstrated the creativity, ambition and originality that will define the next generation of filmmakers.

The evening, hosted by students Rachana Aithal, Natalie Ruiz Varela and Amber Payne, included projects in animation, screenwriting, narrative and documentary filmmaking, cinematography and more. The art showcased the remarkable breadth of talent across UCLA TFT. Special thanks to faculty speaker Associate Professor Rory Kelly for sharing his insights and celebrating this incredible class of emerging creatives.

Congratulations to all of last night’s featured artists for bringing their unique voices and visions to the screen. We can’t wait to see where your stories take you next.

06/07/2026

🎬✨ What a spectacular kickoff to the 2026 TFT Film Festival!

Last night’s Animation Extravaganza celebrated the imagination, artistry, and storytelling power of UCLA’s next generation of animators. From inventive 2D and 3D animation to stop-motion and experimental works, audiences were treated to an unforgettable showcase of creativity.

A special congratulations to Crystal Anvil Award honoree Valerie Lettera-Spletzer, whose remarkable career in animation and dedication to mentoring emerging artists continues to inspire generations of storytellers.
We also celebrated this year’s student award winners:
🏆 Best Story Award – Yanzhang Song, Scissors
🏆 Best Animation Award – Yiru Deng, The Pit
🏆 Best Art Direction Award – Yiru Deng, Tunnel Vision
🏆 Most Innovative Award – Eric Babajanian, The Starlet
🏆 Best of Show Award – Marcello Frisina, Snowblind
Congratulations to every filmmaker who shared their work. The future of animation is bright with you in it.

05/14/2026

Join the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television for an engaging look at the future of vertical storytelling. This event features an industry panel on the creative and business dimensions of vertical content, from evolving audience engagement to new storytelling approaches in a mobile-first world and showcases the verticals made by UCLA TFT students as part of the Dean’s PICTURE START initiative, which touches new genres with our signature approach of independence, innovation and impact. Be part of the conversation shaping the next generation of content.

Friday, May 29, 2026
6:30 PM - 10:30 PM
James Bridges Theater
RSVP: tinyurl.com/picstartscreening

6:30 PM
PANEL 1: THE BUSINESS OF VERTICALS
Moderated by Celine Zen, RealReel
Speakers:
ALEX MONTALVO/Co-founder & CCO - GAMMATIME
JOHN LEWIS/Founder - MUVPIX
TOMMY HARPER/Founder & CEO - VEYOU

7:30 PM
PANEL 2: THE CREATIVE OF VERTICALS
Moderated by Dean Celine Shimizu, Dean UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television
Speakers:
HAN CHOI - Us Content Lead - VIGLOO
ROBIN TANG - Adviser, Content & Strategy - COL GROUP
DJ AZUL - Writer - DRAMA BOX, REELSHORTS
ASHLIN YU - Head of Development, SHORTIES STUDIOS

8:30 PM
PANEL 3: STUDENT SHOWCASE - VERTICAL PILOTS
Screening of 3 student Vertical pilots with discussion
Moderated by George Huang, UCLA FTVDM

9:30 PM
Reception

[Image description: Person holding a smartphone showing a smiling woman on video call outdoors with a coffee cup in hand. Below the image is text reading Picture Start Verticals Panels & Showcase. Friday, May 29. 6:30-10:30 p.m. James Bridges Theater. RSVP at tinyurl.com/PicStartScreening]

04/09/2026

Please join the UCLA Department Film, Television and Digital Media for a screening of PBS Artbound's "L.A. Rebellion: A Cinematic Movement" and TFT MFA thesis "Don’t Be Long, Little Bird".

Friday, April 10 | 7:00 p.m. | James Bridges Theater
🔗 RSVP: https://ow.ly/ugXo50YGOi8

This event brings together two films, "L.A. Rebellion: A Cinematic Movement" (2025, 56m) and "Don’t Be Long, Little Bird" (2025, 23m), to illuminate the lineage between the original L.A. Rebellion filmmakers and contemporary artists continuing that legacy. Together, the films create a dialogue across generations, geographies, and liberation movements.

Panel Discussion/Q&A moderated by TFT Dean and Distinguished Professor Celine Parreñas Shimizu (TFT Alumna):
Alile Sharon Larkin, L.A. Rebellion filmmaker
Bryant Griffin, Co-director, L.A. Rebellion: A Cinematic Movement
Reem Jubran, Director, Don’t Be Long, Little Bird

03/14/2026

⚡ UPDATE: New location + moderator announced!

Join TFT in the Darren Star Theater for the State of the Screenwriting fireside chat with UCLA TFT screenwriting professor George Huang and USC School of Cinematic Arts professor Nicole Jefferson, moderated by TFT's Dean Celine Parreñas Shimizu! The discussion, as part of the decanal Picture Start initiative, will center on on the state of screenwriting in the age of microdramas and other changes at this historic juncture in the industry.

Monday, March 16 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

RSVP at the link in our bio! 🔗

03/11/2026

Join the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television for STORYTELLING FROM THE INSIDE OUT: A Conversation with Pixar's Jonas Rivera and UCLA TFT’s Dean Celine Parreñas Shimizu

📅 Friday, April 3
⏰ 10:00–11:30 a.m.
📍James Bridges Theater

Jonas Rivera—best known for his work on INSIDE OUT (2015), UP (2009), TOY STORY 2 (1999), and CARS (2006)—will join UCLA TFT Dean Celine Parreñas Shimizu in conversation about his remarkable journey at Pixar, from the studio's first production intern to its current Executive Vice President of Film Production. Rivera will also offer behind-the-scenes insights into the making of Inside Out, followed by a live Q&A with the audience.

RSVP: tinyurl.com/tftjonas

Address

235 Charles E. Young Drive East
Los Angeles, CA
90095

Telephone

+13108255761

Website

https://www.tft.ucla.edu/

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