Spotlight Stories
SCA Hosts Panel on AI and the Future of Media
AI Panel
Event Profile
USC Student Films Win Big at Cannes
Cannes Film Festival
Film Profile
The iconic actress/filmmaker sits down with SCA
Paula Patton
Alumni Profile
An Oscar-Nominated Short is a Great Example of Alumna Rebecca Eskreis’ Approach to Filmmaking
February 27, 2025
The short documentary A Lien, which is nominated in the narrative shorts category at this weekend’s Academy Awards, spotlights a harrowing episode in the life of Oscar Gomez, an undocumented American or “Dreamer” in search of the chance to rectify his status as a citizen.
Howard Rodman Honored at Scripter Awards
February 27, 2025
Howard Rodman, professor in the John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television, was the recipient of the Ex Libris Award at the USC Libraries Scripter Awards which was held on Saturday February 22 at Town & Gown.
USC Games Awards Inaugural Lifetime Achievement to Trailblazing Game Designer Muriel Tramis
February 27, 2025
During the USC Games Black History Month Speaker Series, Dean Daley honored Muriel Tramis, the first credited Black female game designer, with the USC Games Lifetime Achievement Award.
Nominations for SCA Diversity Awards Now Open!
January 30, 2025
Each year, the SCA Council on Diversity & Inclusion recognizes an SCA student from each academic unit for their work on issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
USC student filmmakers could make Super Bowl history with Doritos ad contest
January 16, 2025
Undergraduates Zach Shenouda and Ryan Robinson are the latest School of Cinematic Arts filmmakers in line to win the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl ad competition with a spot called Barbershop. But while past winners have all been alumni, Shenouda, Robinson and their team would be the youngest ever to win the big prize!
Holiday Magic on Screen: Must-Watch Films from USC Alumni to Add to Your Watchlist
December 11, 2024
Our alumni have helped bring some of the most memorable holiday classics to life, and they’re still creating new stories that will make lasting memories for years to come. Check out this list of holiday films to add to your watch-list this season.
Like Movies that Matter? Check out this year’s MISC List
December 9, 2024
Every year, USC MISC (Media Institute for Social Change) helps us identify the best Social Change films, and the issues they do a great job at addressing. Check them out in theatres and on steaming platforms.
SCA Students Master IMAX Filmmaking in Alabama Hills Workshop
December 9, 2024
This past October, twenty-two SCA students traveled to the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area to participate in a class workshop to learn how to shoot with IMAX film and digital cameras.
Remembering Larry Auerbach
December 2, 2024
Larry Auerbach, who established the SCA Office of Industry Relations and led it for 25 years, has died. He was 95.
An SCA Alumnus' Inspiring Journey as a Social Impact Creator
October 31, 2024
SCA alum Wubetu Shimelash '23, who grew up as a shepherd in Ethiopia, leverages his cultural heritage to create impactful stories in Hollywood amidst a growing openness to international perspectives.
From Sloan Grant to Oscar Contender: SCA Student Film Makes Waves Ahead of 2024 Awards
October 31, 2024
SCA spoke with one of last year's Sloan grant recipients, Zhongyu (Robin) Wang, about his recent film, Neither Donkey Nor Horse, which won a 2024 Student Academy Award and is eligible for the 97th Academy Awards for Best Live Action Short.
Haunting the Screen: USC Cinematic Arts Alumni in Horror
October 31, 2024
In celebration of the spooky season, here is a list of 10 must-watch SCA horror films to add to your favorites!
SCA Partners with Nikon and RED to Equip Future Filmmakers with Cutting-Edge Cameras and Lenses
October 3, 2024
Nikon and RED collaborate with SCA to uplift the next generation of filmmakers.
From Fan to Filmmaker: SCA Senior Flint Tanquary’s USC Legacy Comes Full Circle
September 25, 2024
School of Cinematic Arts Senior Flint Tanquary has mastered the art of the jumbotron hype video.
Barnet Kellman Donates Archives to SCA
September 19, 2024
The renowned directing professor’s collections will give insight to the television business of the last fifty years.
SCA Teams Up with Scopely's Black Employee Resource Group to Bring High School Gamers to USC
September 18, 2024
Two students from Augustus F. Hawkins High School took the game design class in the SCA summer program through funding donated in part by the Black Employee Resource Group at game design company Scopely.
The African Creative TV Program Launches at SCA
September 18, 2024
In July, the American Film Showcase at USC launched the African Creative TV Initiative in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, welcoming established African television creators for writing workshops to develop eight high-quality projects over the year.
The John H. Mitchell Scholars Summit Debuts at USC
September 18, 2024
SCA alumnus and entertainment executive Bill Allen, trustee of the Mitchell Trusts, emphasized the endowment's goal of fostering connections among Mitchell scholars across USC, UCLA and University of Michigan, leading to a full-day summit at USC for their inaugural gathering.
Stark Producing Program Grad Shane D. Stanger Makes "Good Bad Things" Movie
August 15, 2024
Five months into the Peter Stark Producing Program, entrepreneur-turned-filmmaker Shane D. Stanger '23 had not yet decided what story to tell in his thesis project. "Had I not come to Stark, I don't think I would have had the time or patience to pursue directing," says Stanger.
The School of Cinematic Arts Celebrates the Class of 2024!
May 11, 2024
The USC School of Cinematic Arts celebrated the newest additions to its alumni community at the Shrine Auditorium on May 10, 2024.
SCA Hosts 2nd Annual DEI Awards for Students!
May 8, 2024
The School of Cinematic Arts’ Council on Diversity & Inclusion recognized students for their groundbreaking contributions to empowering diverse voices and perspectives at its 2nd annual Awards Ceremony for Outstanding Work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at USC.
Nina Yang Bongiovi Helps Kick-Off USC AAPI History Month Event
May 7, 2024
Nina Yang Bongiovi, Associated Chair of the Peter Stark Producing Program and USC alum, helped kick off USC's AAPI Heritage Month celebration in early April.
SCA's 2024 First Look Showcase was A Rousing Success!
May 7, 2024
New prizes from Focus Features and Panavision add excitement to the annual Industry Relations awards.
USC Games Hosts Its 7th Annual Games Expo
April 12, 2024
USC Games showcased over 60 student-made games alongside industry partners, celebrating the most innovative works in interactive media and game development at USC.
WOMEN IN GAMES NOW!
April 1, 2024
Panel of women and non-binary leaders in the Games industry give honest assessment of gender equity.
Bollywood Films Come to SCA!
March 28, 2024
Priya Jaikumar, Chair of the Cinema and Media Studies Division at USC's School of Cinematic Arts (SCA), led the kickoff event for the Bollywood: Big Screens + Streaming held in early March at USC. This collaboration between SCA, USC Visions and Voices, and Indian production companies Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby signaled the start of promising new opportunities and research emerging from India’s film industry.
Celebrating 25 Years: The Business of Cinematic Arts (BCA) Program Makes SCA History!
March 28, 2024
The Business of Cinematic Arts Program becomes SCA's first-ever joint undergraduate program, marking a significant milestone for the program and the University's academic offerings.
Empowering Women Through Film: SCA Alumna Jacqueline Elyse Rosethal ’23
March 28, 2024
SCA alumna Jacqueline Elyse Rosenthal ’23 shares insights into her award-winning social impact film, Backlog, which she wrote, directed, and executive produced during her final year at USC.