Congratulations to the Fall 2025 Marcus Culminating Funds Recipients!
Undergraduate B.A. Winner — Jack Gewant
Graduate M.F.A. Winner — Yen-Chun Chen
Harry Lum Estate Documentary Filmmaker Opportunity
The Harry Lum Estate is seeking an innovative, emerging documentary filmmaker interested in making a short film that will bring the legacy of Chinese American painter and mixed media artist Harry Lum (1930-2022) to life and provide the opportunity to bring awareness of his work to a larger population. The short film (likely 30 minutes or less) should situate Lum within Bay Area art movements and examine his depictions of the Asian American experience as well as global and American atrocities (a key theme in his work), all through the filmmaker’s distinctive perspective. Filmmakers will have access to Lum’s works and archives and likely access to his peers and students. This opportunity is open to documentary students of all levels seeking personal or thesis projects; funding support will be pursued through grants, patrons, and festivals. Distribution rights and ownership of this film will be subject to standard terms and requirements from donors/grantees and the Harry Lum Estate.
To learn more, contact Nina Owen, Curatorial Project Manager at ninatowen@gmail.com.
Dr. Artel Great new book The Black Pack: Comedy, Race & Resistance
Dr. Artel Great presented his new book The Black Pack: Comedy, Race & Resistance at the Main Branch of the San Francisco Public Library on Wednesday, February 11th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. It was a fantastic event with a great turnout.
Assistant Professor Mihaela Mihailova guested on animation-themed podcasts
Assistant Professor Mihaela Mihailova recently appeared on two animation-themed podcasts. The first one, a deep-dive episode dedicated to the Ghibli film The Cat Returns (2002) for the podcast The Complete Catalog, which can be found on Spotify. The second one, a discussion of her research on generative AI's impact on animation production for the popular British academic podcast Fantasy/Animation.
Professor Daniel Bernardi new documentary, Racing for Paralympic Gold
Professor Daniel Bernardi finished a new documentary, Racing for Paralympic Gold. Now in festival, the film tells the story of how three extraordinary women defy trauma, disability, and society's limits to pursue their Paralympic dreams under the mentorship of a former Navy SEAL. Racing for Paralympic Gold is produced by Professor of Kinesiology Susan Zieff and Co-Produced by Professor Mayuran Tiruchelvam. The crew is made of School of Cinema alumni, including Andrés Gallegos (DP), Gina Gelphman (editor), Jesse Sutterley (sound recordist) and Sean Restivo (assistant editor) with additional camera work by Cinema MFA students David Brezinski and Will McNeil. You can watch the trailer on the film’s IMDB page.
Alan Berliner teaches a masterclass
Renowned documentary filmmaker, Alan Berliner, visited CINE 472 to screen works and teach a masterclass. He screened First Cousin Once Removed along with short films 56 Ways of Saying I Don’t Remember and Everywhere at Once. During his time with us, Alan led a generous and wide-ranging discussion on his filmmaking practice and career path, offering students insight into archival practice, creative use of sound, and developing your own voice as a filmmaker, among many other topics. He also shared practical advice about entering the field and sustaining a life in independent filmmaking, including his “Advice to Filmmakers”, linked here. It was an inspiring and deeply engaging session — and a real gift for our students to learn from such an accomplished and innovative artist.
Film + Photography Internship with UCSF and Neuroscape
UCSF and Neuroscape (a research center focused on developing and scientifically validating cognitive training apps through research studies) are offering a Film + Photography internship that involves creating short-form video and photo content for Neuroscape’s social media platforms and is well-suited for students interested in film, photography, storytelling, science communication, or media production in a research setting.
FEMINIST FILMMAKER FELLOWSHIP (F3)
The Feminist Filmmaker Fellowship (F3) aims to provide an open and safe space, virtual or in-person, advocating for womxn and non-binary filmmakers. Our events allow leadership development to flourish by listening to members to help bring their ideas to life.
Follow us on Instagram @feministfilmmakerfellowship for all our updates and to help us make some films.
JOIN QUEER CINEMA COALITION
Queer Cinema Coalition ensures a safe and creative space for LGBTQ+ filmmakers on campus to learn how to make our mark in an industry that doesn’t prioritize our voices. Through guest speakers, screenings/discussions, and community organizing, we build life-long connections to help us survive and thrive as filmmakers at SF State and beyond.
Follow us on Instagram @queercinemacoalition.
JOIN THE ANIMATION SOCIETY
The Animation Society strives to educate and provide an inclusive space for creative SF State students to learn about and discover a love for animation.
Email: animationsocietyatsfsuofficial@gmail.com
Website: Animation Society Wixsite
Instagram: @animationsocietysfsu
LATINO/A/X FILM CLUB
The Latino/a/x Film Club is now recruiting students dedicated to improving the representation of Latinos in the film industry and celebrating the contributions they have made to the media industry. Students and allies from any discipline are welcome to join regardless of their academic background. This club has regular monthly activities to facilitate networking, resume building, attracting potential paid gigs, and studying the legacy of Latino/a/x cinema in the United States.
Follow us on Instagram @ltnxfc.
Dear Prospective Students:
The School of Cinema offers in-person tours of our facilities. Please make an appointment by contacting the Cinema Office at cinema@sfsu.edu.
- For any questions about the touring process, please contact our Production Coordinator, Pablo Riquelme (priquelm@sfsu.edu)
