UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television

03/08/2025

ICYMI: A new era is Bruin for UCLA Theater, Film and Television. Read all about incoming Dean Celine Parreñas Shimizu in Deadline Hollywood:

Celine Parreñas Shimizu has been named the new dean of UCLA School Of Theater, Film & Television. She moves to Westwood from UC Santa Cruz.

03/06/2025

JUST ANNOUNCED: The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television is welcoming home alumna Celine Parreñas Shimizu, esteemed filmmaker and scholar, as our new dean beginning July 1!

Currently serving as the Dean of the Division of Arts and Distinguished Professor of Film and Digital Media at UC Santa Cruz, Dean Shimizu has spent her career advancing the power of storytelling, representation and education. As she takes the helm at TFT, she brings with her an unshakable belief in the power of film and theater to transform, unite and inspire.

“As the new dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, I bring a deep love for my alma mater and a commitment to ensuring that every encounter with our institution is transformative — that is what happened to me here. I remember learning to give value to my ideas and to read the work of those who came before so I could truly know how film and theater provide us the language to understand ourselves and change how we treat each other," Dean Shimizu said. "UCLA TFT shaped me, and I possess a passionate desire to help the institution achieve even greater eminence under my leadership."

Learn more about her on our website: https://ow.ly/pG9850Vc2fm

03/02/2025

The countdown to the 97th annual Academy Awards is ON! TFT is proud to root for the 12 alumni and board members among the nominees. Our community had a hand in a variety of works, from producing impactful documentary short films to creating the next generation of animated classics and everything in between.

Who are you rooting for this Oscars season? Tell us in the comments! 💬

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02/22/2025

Headed to Slamdance Film Festival this weekend? UCLA Professional Programs at TFT in Producing alumni Josh Koopman and Sammie Astenah are screening their brand new documentary, STOLEN KINGDOM. The doc dives deep into the world of urban explorers who chart the Disney theme parks, with a focus on the mystery of Buzzy, a beloved animatronic stolen from EPCOT.

Read more on The Wrap:

Stolen Kingdom, a new documentary about the dark side of Disney (and the theft of a major figure), is coming soon and we have the trailer.

02/22/2025

Alumna Sareeta Young (BA, 2020) is forging her own path in the film world - and breaking down barriers for others at the same time.

After graduating from TFT, Sareeta went on to found BLKReels Media Production Co, a company that runs the gamut of both film production and advocacy. BlkReels works out of Oakland to capture and host live events, produce documentaries and photography, and provide education to the community. In addition to empowering others through professional development workshops at BlkReels, Sareeta also teaches a film class at Berkeley City College.

“I’m the first in my family to do the ‘film thing,’" Young told The Oaklandside. "So when I came back home, I decided that making my own company would be me creating an opportunity for myself — and for other people.”

We are always proud to see our students grow into creatives, advocates and leaders like Sareeta. Read more about her successes: https://ow.ly/43jz50V4HEE

02/21/2025

Renowned director, educator, advocate and UCLA Department of Theater Professor Emeritus José Luis Valenzuela has been honored with the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation’s 2024 Gordon Davidson Award for his lifetime achievement and distinguished service in American theatre. Congratulations, Professor Valenzuela! 🌟

We are pleased to announce José Luis Valenzuela as the 2024 recipient of the SDCF Gordon Davidson Award. Named in honor of the founding artistic director of Los Angeles's Center Theatre Group and one of the visionary leaders of the resident theatre movement, the Gordon Davidson Award recognizes a director or choreographer for lifetime achievement and distinguished service in the national not-for-profit theatre.

For more on José Luis Valenzuela’s illustrious career and accomplishments visit this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/2024-gordon-davidson-award-recipient-jose-luis-valenzuela/

Headshot by Latino Theater Company

02/15/2025

HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND ⤵️ Join TFT and the UCLA Film & Television Archive for two events celebrating legendary film and television creators!

02/05/2025

Students, alumni and fans from all over the world now have the chance to join beloved Professor Emeritus Howard Suber online for a live Q&A and lecture weekend with UCLA Professional Programs at TFT! He will expands on all six episodes of his Turner Classic Movies/HBO MAX series THE POWER OF FILM.

This will be Professor Suber's last UCLA seminar - check it out before it's too late ⤵️

One weekend only! April 5 and 6, 2025. Students, alumni and fans from all over the world will have the chance to join UCLA's beloved Howard Suber online for a live Q&A and lecture weekend as he expands on all six episodes of his Turner Classic Movies/HBO MAX series The Power of Film

02/01/2025

It's the end of an era at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Today, we say a heartfelt farewell to Dean Brian Kite as he steps into a new role as Dean and Vice Provost of Graduate Education at UCLA.

Dean Kite's five-year tenure was marked by transformative leadership, including guiding the school through the pandemic, spearheading a multi-year strategic planning process, and leading fundraising initiatives that secured critical resources for infrastructure improvements, student support, and the establishment of a new endowed faculty chair to enhance academic excellence.

His visionary leadership, passion for the arts and dedication to the TFT community have left us stronger. We can't wait to see the impact he will make in this next endeavor. Best of luck! 🌟

01/27/2025

ICYMI: UCLA Film alumna Sierra Falconer made a splash Sundance Film Festival's U.S. Dramatic Competition over the weekend with her thesis film, SUNFISH (& OTHER STORIES ON GREEN LAKE). Several other Bruins had a hand in the project, from cinematography to editing and more.

In the film, lives intertwine around Green Lake as a girl learns to sail, a violinist fights for first chair, two sisters operate a bed-and-breakfast, and a fisherman is after the catch of his life. Read more on Deadline: https://ow.ly/F4Tz50UOhFZ

Congratulations, Sierra!

01/23/2025

The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television is excited to welcome Chon Noriega as our interim dean beginning February 1! Noriega joined the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media faculty in 1992, previously served as the director of UCLA’s Chicano Studies Research Center, and is an expert on Chicano and Latino arts, artists and media.

Noriega is succeeding Dean Brian Kite, who is starting a new role as the dean and vice provost of graduate education at UCLA next month. We are so grateful to Dean Kite for his leadership and look forward to what this new chapter will bring to TFT.

Read more on the UCLA Newsroom:

Noriega, currently a distinguished professor at the school, will begin his tenure Feb. 1 and serve until June 30 — or until a permanent dean is appointed.

01/23/2025

CONGRATULATIONS! Juan Pablo González, professor in the UCLA Department of Film, Television and Digital Media, and Marike Splint, Vice Chair of Undergraduate Studies in the UCLA Department of Theater, are both Creative Capital Award recipients!

55 artists across the US were awarded a combined $2.45 million in unrestricted project grants. Artists will use the awards to create innovative projects that tackle the urgent issues and topics like AI, climate change, immigration, gentrification and more. Learn more from Creative Capital: https://creative-capital.org/press/announcing-the-2025-creative-capital-awards/

01/16/2025

Chancellor Frenk shared this message with the UCLA campus community. Dear Bruin Community: I am grateful to be able to write to you with some positive news. Yesterday evening, the red flag warning that was in effect for our area was lifted, which means the current weather conditions have shifted in....

01/13/2025

This week, UCLA will host virtual Town Halls regarding the LA fires for stakeholders to ask questions and hear from campus leaders. Details below ⤵️

Chancellor Frenk shared this message with the UCLA campus community. Dear Bruin Community: Our hearts are heavy as we continue to see the devastation caused by the fires throughout L.A. County. So many in the Bruin community have been impacted by loss and uncertainty, and have been processing the tr...

01/13/2025

Find out about the current status of campus operations, instruction and emergency plans and see fire-related resources for students, faculty and staff.

01/10/2025

Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating Los Angeles fires. We stand stronger together as a community. We want to remind you that resources are available to support you—whether you need academic assistance, financial aid, safety guidance, mental health support, or more.

To our TFT family, please know that we are here for you.

Please visit https://ucla.app.box.com/s/obz69uyhqm60b2q0n7ngg77lp6t7tfmk for a complete list of available resources.

01/07/2025

Welcome UCLAchancellor Julio Frenk! Your leadership will inspire generations of Bruins at UCLA We hear you're an opera fan -- check out our production of RODRIGO with the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in May!

More: https://ucla.in/4gbB1EG

01/01/2025

Happy 2025, Bruins! Do you have a resolution you're bringing into the new year? 💬🌟