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

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

03/10/2026

Two rival schools. Two experts in their field. One night of new discovery.

Join UCLA TFT screenwriting professor George Huang and USC School of Cinematic Arts professor Nicole Jefferson Asher for the State of Screenwriting Fireside Chat, a Picture Start event, on Monday, March 16 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.! The discussion will center on on the state of screenwriting in the age of microdramas and other changes at this historic juncture in the industry.

RSVP: tinyurl.com/firesidetft-031626

03/09/2026

The 2026 API Film Night is open for submissions! API Film Night is the only film festival celebrating AAPI filmmakers at UCLA, which attracted 500+ attendees in prior years. The 4th annual AAPI Film Night will light up the James Bridges Theater on May 8, 2026, and will showcase a spectacular lineup of inspiring API film projects directed by UCLA talents, followed by a live Q&A and reception to bring the community together. Get ready for an unforgettable night!

Here are the submission guidelines:
✅ The film may be scripted or non-scripted, fiction or nonfiction, narrative or documentary, live-action or animation, etc.
✅ The filmmaker must be of AAPI descent and must be an alumni or current undergraduate or graduate student of UCLA TFT programs.
✅ The theme of the project must center around AAPI experiences.
✅ The submitting filmmaker must take one of the following roles in the project: director, producer, screenwriter, lead acting role, or director of photography.
✅ The film must be a UCLA School Project and under 20 minutes (including credits).
✅ The filmmaker must be able to attend the screening on May 8th, 2026 (Friday) from 6:00 pm PT onwards, otherwise, the film will be disqualified.
✅ The project must be completed. No works-in-progress will be accepted.

To submit, please complete the form at the link in our bio by 11:59 pm PT on March 20th, 2026.

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing your work!

02/23/2026

ICYMI: On January 31, the UCLA Animation Workshop premiered the PBS Kids series Phoebe & Jay, co-created by Animation Workshop alum and former animation lecturer Thy Than ('12), with her partner Genie Deez. The animated series focuses on early literacy with an entertaining approach that uses music, lyrics, text found in everyday situations and family and community dynamics.

TFT screened the pilot episode and held a Q&A afterwards for children and adults in the audience, moderated by Animation Workshop alum Jo Meuris ('10). The event included activity centers and a scavenger hunt for all the children attending and was made possible with the support of PBS.

02/21/2026

ONE WEEK AWAY! Don't miss the generationally beautiful THIRD ACT by UCLA alum Tadashi Nakamura (‘03), screening on Friday, Feb. 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Darren Star Theater.

Generations of artists call Robert A. Nakamura “the godfather of Asian American media,” but Tadashi calls him Dad. What begins as a documentary about his father’s career takes a turn with a Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis, and evolves into an exploration on art, activism, grief, and fatherhood.

This screening is part of the Ripples of the LA Rebellion program series.

🔗 RSVP: https://ow.ly/aUbK50Yj5hu

02/07/2026

YOU'RE INVITED to the film of a generation 🎬 Catch a screening of 2025 Sundance selection THIRD ACT by UCLA alum Tadashi Nakamura ('03) on Friday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Darren Star. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker. RSVP: https://ow.ly/qlIj50YaCGl

About Third Act Film: Generations of artists call Robert A. Nakamura “the Godfather of Asian American media,” but filmmaker Tadashi Nakamura calls him Dad. What begins as a documentary about his father’s career takes a turn with a Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis, and evolves into an exploration on art, activism, grief, and fatherhood.

📸 Photo courtesy of THIRD ACT

01/14/2026

ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT: On February 8, 1977, Tony Kiritsis entered the office of Richard Hall, president of the Meridian Mortgage Company, and took him hostage with a sawed-off shotgun wired with a "dead man's wire" from the trigger to Tony's own neck.

See the story unfold in a screening of Gus Van Sant’s new film DEAD MAN’S WIRE
📅 Thursday, January 15
⏰ 7:00
📍 Darren Star Theater
💬 with a Q&A following the film with Producer and UCLA TFT Producers Program alum Noor Alfallah

12/24/2025

The UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television will curtail operations starting Wednesday, December 24, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026. Offices will reopen on Monday, January 5. We are wishing you a safe and restful break!

12/03/2025

🎬 PROJECT FUNDING AVAILABLE: Join TFT at the inaugural Picture Start Kickoff Workshop! Learn about the ins and outs of vertical storytelling, plus get info about Picture Start program and its culmination event.

This session is mandatory for any students looking to participating in Picture Start for the 2025-2026 academic year. The session is open to all UCLA Theater, Film & Television students - first and second year students highly encouraged to join. Funding is available to support selected projects!

Led by DJ Azul, TFT alumnus and Staff Writer for ReelShort, Alta TV, and Narval Films Presentation by Professor George Huang, UCLA Film, Television & Digital Media

Questions or concerns?
Email [email protected]

Address

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

Telephone

+13108255761

Website

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

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