Seven new films that tell the stories of older adults
Caroline Cicero of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology recommends a crop of recent movies that tackle important topics like caregiving and living with dementia.
A sequel 17 years in the making: How a USC staffer’s side project became the perfect follow-up to his cult hit
Though Patricio Ginelsa only makes films in his spare time, his recent passion project, Lumpia with a Vengeance, is winning awards and charming audiences.
The most significant social impact films of 2020, all streaming at home
This list of 15 movies and shows, compiled by the Media Institute for Social Change at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, highlights the stories that traumatized, moved and inspired us this year.
How a Hollywood hitmaker-turned-professor brought virtual filmmaking to USC
Gail Katz has produced smash successes like Air Force One and The Perfect Storm. Now, she’s helping students at the USC School of Cinematic Arts embrace a new era of filmmaking.
Popular films aren’t making enough progress toward inclusion, report finds
A new report from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative examined thousands of characters from more than a decade of films and found that women, people of color and the LGBTQ community remain marginalized.
USC grad mixes AI and documentary filmmaking to preserve the past
Imagine a museum where Japanese Americans from World War II live on as virtual avatars. Recent USC graduate Cole Kawana is working on it.
Messages of Hope and Determination in Alum’s Film Miss Juneteenth
Channing Godfrey Peoples MFA ’11 talks about the responsibility borne by Black artists, storytellers and creators today and the power of speaking your truth.
Two USC Annenberg alumni screen their documentaries at Sundance
Dylan Valley and Matt Yoka, who both received master’s degrees in journalism, leapt at the chance to be a part of the iconic film festival.
Women win the night at USC Libraries Scripter Awards
Greta Gerwig’s film Little Women and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s television series Fleabag were both recognized at the 32nd annual ceremony, as was author Susan Orlean.
USC Libraries name finalists for 32nd annual Scripter Awards
The awards honor the year’s most accomplished film and television adaptations, as well as the works on which they are based.
Making his first film pushed this producer to get his USC Marshall MBA
Sam Mantell spent almost three years producing, editing and selling a documentary about being homeless in Los Angeles. His biggest takeaway? Understanding the business side of entertainment is key.
2018 was a more inclusive year in film, but additional work is needed
A new study from Stacy Smith and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative found more inclusion in film in 2018, including a rise in female leads, but noted that more progress is needed.
Latinos lose out when it comes to Hollywood films
A study from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative finds top films lag far behind the population when it comes to representing Latino characters.
Top Hollywood Blockbusters With Trojan Ties
From Star Wars to The Avengers, USC alumni have created some of the most successful movies in history.
A Tale of Two Oscar-Winning Documentaries Made by Trojans
Short films made by School of Cinematic Arts moviemakers bookend more than 65 years of Academy Awards.
Despite positive trends, women remain underrepresented in animation
A new USC Annenberg study examines the ecosystem of the animation industry and finds pluses and minuses for women in the field.
Film and TV miss the mark in portraying mental health conditions
A new study from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative finds popular media underrepresents and misrepresents characters with mental health conditions.
USC grad tested his love of filmmaking in the jungles of Peru
Inspired by an animation class, 2019 graduate Amri Rigby embraced filmmaking, directed a Sundance-winning short film and was commissioned by Werner Herzog to shoot a documentary in Peru, all as a USC student.
Mahershala Ali muses on True Detective and refining his award-winning craft
The two-time Academy Award winner shared his thoughts on acting, hope, motivation and life as part of the USC Annenberg-HBO Diverse Voices Series.
Why it’s important to see marginalized communities in pop culture
As the Oscars near, USC anthropologist and playwright Dorinne Kondoto argues that we all need to be ”mirrored” in popular culture, media and the arts.
USC Libraries name finalists for 31st annual Scripter Awards
The Feb. 9 ceremony honors the year’s best film and television adaptations, as well as the works on which they are based.
A 2018 box office boom — for black directors
A USC Annenberg study reveals a dramatic improvement in black directors working across the 100 top-grossing films, though it finds little change for other industry positions.
The 15 most significant social impact films of 2018
The Media Institute for Social Change at the USC School of Cinematic Arts identifies 15 movies that not only entertain but expand our understanding, change our perspective and challenge us to do something.
The Physicist Who Helps Make Science Cool in TV and Movies
USC Dornsife scientist Clifford Johnson hopes to make science part of our everyday literacy.