Stony Brook/Killer MFAs: FILM & TV Writing

“Something You Should Know About Me,” written and directed by Andy Fidoten as his thesis film, had a wildly successful premiere at the 25th Tribeca Festival! Not only did the film sell out its four screenings, but it was voted as the runner-up for the Audience Award in the Narrative category. Congratulations, Andy & Co.!

Next Up: Frameline50 in San Francisco!

Our program’s artistic directors, Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, will be awarded the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for their work as creative producers in the film industry. This recognition is one of the Honorary Oscars that are awarded annually at the Governors Awards.

Vachon and Koffler founded the New York-based independent production company Killer Films in 1995. The Honorary Award recognizes “extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences in any discipline, or for outstanding service to the Academy.” The Thalberg, named for the pioneering MGM executive, goes to a creative producer whose body of work consistently reflects a high standard of motion picture production. The pair previously earned a best picture nomination for Celine Song’s debut drama “Past Lives” in 2024.

On behalf of the Stony Brook Manhattan community, Have A Great Summer!!!

We celebrated a fantastic year with a mixer between film and TV writing programs and a screening from Ethan Berlin’s class, “Producing Short Form Comedy Content”. If you want to join the fun next year, be sure to apply today!

Sharyn Rothstein and Davita Scarlett are joining the MFA in TV Writing faculty this Fall. They'll be teaching Advanced Pilot and a unique Showrunners workshop. Join us and elevate your writing!

Apply by July 15. Scholarships available. Link in bio.

We are so excited to see our TV Writing alumni excel as teachers and mentors as they assume full-time faculty roles in the undergraduate program!

During our interview with for our Substack (link in bio), he reflected on his time as an undergraduate at Stony Brook, “I have a lot of wonderful memories here. And every time I set foot on campus, I’m always struck with a bit of nostalgia.”

This news coincides with the MFA in Film and TV Writing programs being welcomed into the newly-formed Department of Creative Writing, Film, and Television. The dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, David Wrobel, spoke of this during our 30/10 Anniversary party:

“Integrating the Film and Television MFAs marks a bold new chapter for the arts at Stony Brook and underscores our commitment to nurturing visionary storytellers.”

Congrats to MFA in TV Writing professor Jackie Reingold on her exciting new role as Co‑Executive Producer and writer on the Fox/Hulu series Best Medicine! 🎉

We are so excited to announce that Jennie Allen has been named a recipient of this year’s College of Arts and Sciences Godfrey Excellence in Teaching Award as well as the John S. Toll Endowed Award for Teaching Excellence!

Faculty members across Stony Brook University were nominated by students for going above and beyond as teachers and mentors: specifically those who show warmth, build community, and are genuinely invested in their intellectual and professional growth.

Furthermore, we congratulate Jennie for being selected into the Storylines Lab, where filmmakers are given the guidance and support to work on story materials that will aid their feature film project in early development.

“You & I” isn’t just a classic by Stevie Wonder, it’s also the inspiration behind filmmaker Summer Shelton’s latest project.

In this new conversation, Summer shares her perspective on storytelling, creativity, and what success really means in filmmaking: simply getting it made.

✨ “I define success as a filmmaker as when you just make it… just getting it made.”

Visit our Substack to read the full interview. Link in bio’

This spring has been so rewarding to our alumni and students! Here’s a roundup of some other notable accolades they’ve received that you may have missed.

In our new Substack article, first-year TV Writing student, Glafira Shanabrook, breaks down the announcement for the new Paramount+ limited series, “Fear Not”, and the Stony Brook alum that are making it happen. The full article is available now on our brand new Substack, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any Stony Brook Film & TV Writing news and coverage!