Media and Film Notes
Media and Film Notes
Media and Film Notes
Gentle Ramirez (CAS ʼ22) has been selected as an Official State Finalist in the Miss New
Tehya Jennett (CAS ʼ20) is screening her directorial debut, Gen Z Mental Health: Climate
Stories at Cinema Village on March 19th as part of the SR Film Festival, after a US
premiere at Colorado Environmental Film Festival and achieving the Social Impact Award
from A Show for A Change Film Festival. This film is the ultimate culmination of their
personal story as a Gen Zer, passion for saving the environment, and love for storytelling.
(Winter 2023)
Aidan Salier (CAS ʼ08) composed the score to Beyond The Aggressives: 25 Years Later,
which held its World Premiere at Newfest 2023 as the festival's Documentary Centerpiece.
(Fall 2023)
Jenny W. Chan (LS ’08, CAS ’10) is a voice actress and records the voice overs for Jill,
Ms. Hannah, and former Baby John in an animated preschool series, Little Angel. The show
currently ranks #1 in Netflix's Top 10 Kids TV Shows in the U.S. Today. (Fall 2022)
Kelly Daniel (CAS ’08) has been named Executive Producer for NBC News Now's
Diana Salier (CAS ’08) composed the music for Try Harder!, which premiered in the U.S.
Andrew Joseph Nusca (CAS ’07) will become executive editor at Morning Brew, the New
York business media company majority-owned by Insider, where he will lead editorial
Amazon Studios documentary series, which is a true-con whodunnit about the largest live
Vanessa Rubio (CAS ʼ05) is celebrating her role as ‘Carmen’ on the Netflix global hit show
Cobra Kai based on the Karate Kid saga. The show is set to release its last season in 2024.
(Spring 2024)
Ruchi Mital (CAS ʼ03) co-wrote and produced the hybrid documentary This World is Not
My Own about artist Nellie Mae Rowe, featuring Uzo Aduba. The film will screen at the
Greg Evans (CAS ʼ02), journalist and guest columnist with The Plain Dealer since 2021
(Ohio's largest newspaper), writes to bring to the attention of the public of the ongoing
problem with femicide, sexual violence, domestic abuse and the disappearances of women
in Mexico. His work has been published in numerous papers throughout Mexico. (Summer
2023)
Kyle J. Paine (CAS ʼ98) will begin his second year as an 8 News Now Investigator at
KLAS-TV, the CBS affiliate in Las Vegas (Market 39). He resumed a career in journalism
after spending the previous two decades as a law student at Suffolk University Law School
(JD '05) and in private practice at the Office of Kyle J. Paine, Esq. (Fall 2023)
Joe Di Salvo (CAS ʼ94) created Bronx Socrates, a documentary film celebrating the
transformative work and legacy of NYU Professor Bob Gurland whose teaching career
spanned nearly 70 years, reaching more than 25,000 students across all levels of formal
Producer on NFL Network and NFL Films “All-Time Team” Show. (Fall 2020)
Alice Look (WSUC ’74) is the executive producer and co-founder of the Remarkable
Women Project, a multi-platform initiative that shares stories of women who changed the
world, and is also the author of the project's first book. Remarkable Women: Reclaiming
Jud Newborn (WSUC ’74) won an Emmy Award the end of 2021 for his co-produced video
Michael Saltz (WSC ’63) published his memoir, The Winding Road: My Journey Through
Life and the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. It details his life and, in particular, his time at the
Leida Snow (WSC ’62) is honored to be the recipient of a 2023 MORE award from the
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) for her Next Avenue article "Falling
Scott Greenberg (GAL ’21) is the creator of The Seriously Funny Music Podcast, a
scripted limited podcast series about the aesthetics of comedic popular music. All episodes
Kia Miakka Natisse (GAL ’15) is a new co-host of Invisibilia, a podcast about challenging
the forces and powers of the status-quo. It’s not just one of NPR’s most popular podcasts,
estate and design show "Open House TV" on NBC. (Spring 2021)
Jess Epstein (GAL ’12) is currently producing the feature documentary Remaining Native
with director Paige Bethmann. The film is a coming-of-age story that follows Ku Stevens'
individualism and the values of interconnectedness he was raised with on the reservation.
When thousands of Native children’s remains are discovered, Ku reckons with his family's
Jennifer Kranz (GAL ’09) EVP of Creative Development and Production at Rosalind
Billy Zeb Smith (GAL ’06) is the producer of the new film Two Yellow Lines, out soon
Alexander Zoppa (GAL ’04) recently completed the first season of ARTLAWS, a podcast
he created and produces that features conversations with cultural outlaws. (Summer 2021)
Alysa Nahmias (GAL ’01) directed the award-winning documentary ART & KRIMES BY
KRIMES which is now streaming on Paramount+. She further produced the documentary
WILDCAT which premiered at Telluride Film Festival and is available on Amazon Prime
Evan McNeeley (GAL ’95) is a member of SAG-AFTRA now. Past accomplishments (in
part to volunteer experience at NYU) have been: Responding to 'Hurricane Sandy' with the
Red Cross, 'Honorable Discharge' (USMC '01), Candidate for NYS Assembly (44th District -
1996) & Member of the NYU 'C-Team' plus the 'Watch Team.' (Fall 2023)
Graduate School of Arts & Science
Alfredo Oliveira (GSAS ’23) was a contestant on Wheel of Fortune’s Disney Secret Santa
Rongfei Guo (GSAS ’15) won the Tribeca Film Festival Best Narrative Short Award for Girl
filmmaker who has swept 3 awards at the recently held New York Festival 2020. (Winter
2020)
Charlotte Wincott (GSAS ’13, ’15) is receiving the prestigious Activism Award (2021) from
the Hollywood Women’s Institute for her work in the addiction space. Her documentary
feature film “Fall Fight Shine” on addiction and recovery had its Los Angeles premiere on
October 23rd at the Hollywood Women’s International Film Festival. (Fall 2021)
Alexandra Nikolchev (GSAS ’10) is a Producer and Director of Photography on The Place
That Makes Us, airing as part of PBS's America Reframed Season 9 on March 31st. (Winter
2021)
Lisa Gray (GSAS ’08) is honored to have her documentary podcast series Class Action
with Katie Phang nominated for Best Multi-Part Audio Documentary Series by the
Madeleine Baran (GSAS ’04) is an investigative journalist best known as the lead reporter
for the APM podcast In the Dark and is a three time recipient of the Peabody Awards. (Fall
2022)
Veronica Gonzalez Peña (GSAS ’94) is a filmmaker whose art documentary, Pat Steir:
Artist, is now available on some streaming platforms. She has published two novels with
semiotexte, Twin Time: or, how death befell me & The Sad Passions, as well as a book on
the Mexican Drug War, So Far from God, which was part of the 2014 Whitney Biennial.
(Summer 2020)
Robyn Walensky (GSAS ’89) won a GABBY Award for "Best Reporter" Large Market at
Liberal Studies
Zyanya Salazar (LS, STEINHARDT ’17) has aired her first story on CBS's Bull. (Winter
2020)
Katie Schiller (LS ’14, TSOA ’17) is a filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY. She most recently
produced Shiva Baby, directed by Emma Seligman, that was bound for South by Southwest
Sam Sandak Freiberger (LS ’11, TSOA ’13) had his television show “Sonic Boom”
released on Steelbook Blu Ray. Sam wrote seven episodes and edited all 104. One of his
episodes, “Eggman the Auteur” was screened at numerous film festivals throughout the
Dena Greenbaum (LS ’07, TSOA ’10) and Melissa Rosen (STEINHARDT ’11) are
celebrating one year of their podcast 2 Old 4 TikTok, available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon
Foundation’s first documentary film on non profit organizations that are supporting the
Development
Elizabeth Phillipson-Weiner (STEINHARDT ’21) and Alejandra Parody (TSOA ’15) have
recently been nominated for an NAACP Image Award for their short film, Gets Good Light.
(Spring 2021)
Audrey Romjue (STEINHARDT ’20) just finished work on The Oldest Profession, a
short-animated documentary about the fight to decriminalize sex work in New York as told
through the lens of a human rights activist, a NY assembly member, and an anonymous sex
Lillie McDonough (STEINHARDT ’17) is the composer for the new film Radium Girls,
based on the historical events following the notorious case of the Radium Girls in 1928,
which ultimately led to significant and lasting impact in the areas of workplace health and
Rachel Griffin Accurso (STEINHARDT ’16) known online as Ms. Rachel, is a New York
City preschool teacher turned YouTube and TikTok star who is making a big impact on
children around the world. Alongside her band, which includes her husband, Broadway
composer Aron, Accurso produces a popular YouTube channel for toddlers and
preschoolers with educational videos and music classes called "Songs For Littles." (Winter
2023)
Alice Tsui (STEINHARDT ’12, ’13) is a semifinalist for the 2023 GRAMMY Music Educator
Melissa Rosen (STEINHARDT ’11) and Dena Greenbaum (LS ’07, TSOA ’10) are
celebrating one year of their podcast 2 Old 4 TikTok, available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon
new Netflix comedy special entitled Son I Never Had, which is now streaming on Netflix.
(Fall 2023)
Championship on the Food Network. He is also a two-time winner of Best Chef in Delaware
from Delaware Today Magazine, the only pastry chef to ever receive that title. (Summer
2023)
Natasha Johnson (STEINHARDT ’00) is currently an EdD and now a contributor at USA
Kannie Chung (STEINHARDT ’97) is the host of the Hong Kong TV series "Exploring the
Edible Planet". She recently sang the theme song for the Global Climate Summit 2021, "I
Jocelyn Brandeis (STEINHARDT ’94) recently finished judging The Gracie Awards for The
agency Laughlin Constable to accelerate the next phase of evolution and growth at its
Ronald Daniel (STEINHARDT ’90) has embarked on a fulfilling journey with a new TV
series and film content production company based in Israel as Strategic Advisor. He is
Greg Schimizzi (STEINHARDT ’76) and his brother have been named to the New York
Matt Huntley (STERN ’11) has been promoted to Director, Prime Video Movie Licensing, at
Randle G. Schumacher (STERN ’96) is producing the feature film “The Woods” staring JK
Rob Silverstone (STERN ’89) has a new podcast, The Rob Silverstone Show, where he
shares lessons learned from his career in finance and media to bring you essential advice
and help you thrive in your own professional life. (Summer 2021)
Ernie Schimizzi (STERN ’74) and his brother have been named to the New York State
capture life stories on video to preserve legacies and inspire future generations. (Spring
2024)
Syreeta Gates (TSOA ’20) is the producer, archivist, and feature in Netflix's new limited
Alex Bush (TSOA ’19) has the world premiere of their film THAW at Tribeca Festival in the
Pablo Garza (TSOA ’19) has won an Emmy Award as editor of the documentary
Polina Buchak (TSOA ’19) celebrated the World Premiere of her short animated film
Sunflower Field at the Cleveland International Film Festival on March 23rd. Reflecting on
the war in her home country Ukraine, her short explores the impact war and conflict have on
young children, and shows that children have both the agency and ability to connect with
Jacob Max Fertig (TSOA ’19) founded This Machine Media, a multidisciplinary production
(Summer 2020)
Christian Ghosn (TSOA ’19) created the NYU Thesis Film Violent Nights, which is now
Greg Contaldi (TSOA ’17) has been promoted to segment producer for Season 4 of The
PSA for Governor Cuomo's #NewYorkTough PSA competition to which they came in second
Katelyn Rebelo (TSOA ’16) and Kira Dane (TSOA ’17) have been nominated for their
documentary Mizuko in the 36th Annual IDA Documentary Awards for Best Documentary
Brendan Bubion (TSOA ’15) is the recipient of a National Arts and Entertainment
Journalism Award for his work as the lead producer of the "Weekly Arts" series for
Brendan Bubion (TSOA ʼ15) was recently awarded a SoCal Journalism Award from the
Los Angeles Press Club for his story on the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles in the
“Weekly Arts” series on KCET/PBS SoCal. As the lead producer, the series featured stories
from diverse artistic voices, depicting the beauty and challenges of life in Southern
Blake Andrew Pruitt (TSOA ’15) was the Apprentice Editor on the Searchlight Pictures film
Fire Island, premiering on Hulu June 3 (edited by NYU alum Brian Kates '94 and starring
Alejandra Parody (TSOA ’15) and Elizabeth Phillipson-Weiner (STEINHARDT ’21) have
recently been nominated for an NAACP Image Award for their short film, Gets Good Light.
(Spring 2021)
Christian Jordan Grier (TSOA ’15) has been hired as a staff writer to write on OWN’s
Michael Fallek (TSOA ’14) has created the documentary Telephone Dieting. (Winter 2020)
Tricia Fukuhara (TSOA ’14) is starring as the first Asian American pink lady in the new
series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies streaming on Paramount+. (Winter 2023)
Hao Zhao (TSOA ’14) is the writer, co-director, and director of photography on Fang Ke,
which was selected for the short film competition at the 60th International Critics' Week in
Blerta Basholli (TSOA ’12) released her debut featulre film, Hive, which had its premiere at
the Sundance Film Festival in 2021, winning the Grand Jury Prize, Directing Award and
Jean Paul Betancourt (TSOA ’12) founded Studio Betancourt. (Spring 2022)
Grant Rosenmeyer (TSOA ’12) is starring in and producing the new film Come As You
Ginny Mohler (TSOA ’11) is co-director and co-writer on the new film Radium Girls, based
on the historical events following the notorious case of the Radium Girls in 1928, which
ultimately led to significant and lasting impact in the areas of workplace health and safety,
Daniel Belkin (TSOA ’10) co-created a long-form interview podcast called the External
Medicine Podcast, featuring physicians, scientists, and other public intellectuals talking
Marija Krtolica (TSOA ’10) presented her video-collage “Re-Inventing Love” at the
Dylan Lamb (TSOA '10) was recently promoted president and creative director of Bullseye
historical events following the notorious case of the Radium Girls in 1928, which ultimately
led to significant and lasting impact in the areas of workplace health and safety, and the
Nadia Vazquez (TSOA ʼ10) has been the voice spokesperson for Yoplait commercials since
Tiffany Oshinsky (née Orbin) (TSOA ’08) won a 2022 Ambie Award for Best Sports
Podcast and a Gracie Award for “The Lead” podcast, produced by Wondery and The
and is the recipient of the prestigious Prospanica New York Top Latinx Leaders of 2020
award for her monumental contributions to the community. She is the inaugural
Alison Whitney (TSOA ’06) and Natasha Ferris (TSOA ʼ98), filmmakers and female
health advocates, are slated to begin filming THE HOLE TRUTH next month in Los
Angeles. The comedy follows two postpartum moms as they figure out what friendship truly
Jonathan Hsu (CAS, TSOA ’06) is celebrating his first feature documentary hybrid film
Starring Jerry As Himself at Slamdance 2023 for the documentary competition and also
screening at Santa Barbara iFF. His horror film streaming on Shudder A Wounded Fawn
was also voted Top horror of 2022 by Rotten Tomatoes. (Winter 2023)
Joshua Edelman (TSOA ’06) has sold his award-winning feature film Mentally Al to
Comedy Dynamics, which may be viewed on Amazon Prime, Comcast, Peacock, Apple TV,
which features interviews with dramatic writers reflecting on writing in the post-network
Bob Berger (TSOA ’00) has recently announced the limited edition Blu-ray release of his
Sarah Wilson (TSOA ’00) and Melissa Robyn Glassman (GAL ’00) have teamed up for
the documentary Dear Mr. Brody, a psychedelic journey into the heart (and bank account) of
Michael Brody Jr, the hippie-millionaire who offered the world peace for the price of a
Lamar Goering (TSOA ’97) won a New York Emmy® Award for "Tunnel to Towers - 20
Vicki Speegle's (TSOA ’96) documentary In The Night I Remember Your Name is airing on
PBS stations across the country and online. The documentary features her mother's
Tim Cummings (TSOA ’95) has sold his debut novel, Alice the Cat, about a 12-year-old
whose attempts to save her suicidal cat to Regal House, for publication in summer 2023. He
also stars in the short film Bind, written and directed by Inka Rusi. (Summer 2021)
Leslie Fields-Cruz (TSOA ’95) is the executive director of Black Public Media (BPM) and
has been named to Crain’s New York Business’ Notable Black Leaders and Executives list
Neal Huff (TSOA ’92) acts in the new film Radium Girls, based on the historical events
following the notorious case of the Radium Girls in 1928, which ultimately led to significant
and lasting impact in the areas of workplace health and safety, and the study of radioactivity.
(Fall 2020)
James Bluma (TSOA ’91) was nominated for a Daytime Emmy this year for Outstanding
Jason Rosette (TSOA ’91) has two Asian-themed films featured in the December 2022
press, documentary) and Freedom Deal (Vietnam War-themed Scripted historical drama).
(Fall 2022)
John Inwood (TSOA ’89) is the cinematographer on the new Netflix interactive special,
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend. He was recently interviewed by the
Television Academy Foundation and credits his experience in the Tisch Film program with
giving him the confidence that still impacts him today. (Summer 2021)
Jeff Nimoy (TSOA ’88) produced, wrote, directed, and starred in the feature film Fame-ish,
a comedy about a washed-up voice director succumbs to the pitfalls of small-time celebrity
Steven Peros (TSOA ’88) is celebrating the publication of Giant Beast Cinema, which
debuted in Amazon's Top 10 for "Horror Movie Books". He is currently developing his
critically acclaimed graphic novel, Stoker & Wells: Order of the Golden Dawn, for TV with
Amasia Entertainment, founded by the former President of Marvel Studios. (Fall 2023)
Alberto Moreira (TSOA ’87) is celebrating the official selection of his first feature
documentary film Heavy Vibes - The Vince Montana Retrospect to screen at The 37th
Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival November 10, 2022. (Fall 2022)
Rosemary Rotondi (TSOA ’86) is an archival film and photo and network news researcher
documentary film Attica, on which Rosemary served as Archival Producer, will be released
based on the historical events following the notorious case of the Radium Girls in 1928,
which ultimately led to significant and lasting impact in the areas of workplace health and
Anita Rosenberg (TSOA ’82) is the author of How to Be the Star of Your Life: Lessons
from Hollywood & Beyond, Heliotrope (February 2024) — which includes inspiring
interviews with film professionals such as director Ernest Dickerson, and including the
following graduates of NYU film school: Maryann Brandon (TSOA ’84), John Auerbach
(TSOA ’91), Jimmy Hayman (TSOA ’81), Joe Urbanczyk (TSOA ’81), and Allan Arkush
Fred Elmes (TSOA ’71) will receive The Lifetime Achievement Award in Cinematography
from the American Society of Cinematographers, located in Hollywood, CA. (Spring 2020)
Coleen Stevens Porcher (WAGNER ’04) and her family are in a documentary, For They
Know Not What They Do. It has been on the film festival circuit and is now being released
Daniel Canogar (WAG ’89, STEINHARDT ’90) was recently featured on The Artian
podcast and talked about how we can experience big data. (Summer 2021)