The film division of the Columbia School of the Arts had reason enough to be proud of its students, alumni, and faculty when 16 Columbia filmmakers were selected to show at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.  Now we have even more cause for celebration.

Last night, four of the 13 films at the festival that Columbia filmmakers worked on won awards.  Smashed, directed and co-written by James Ponsoldt (’05), took home the Special Jury Prize (Dramatic) for independent film producing.   Young & Wild, a Chilean film edited by Andrea Chignoli (’07), won the World Cinema Screenwriting Award (Dramatic).  Violeta Went to Heaven, another film from Chile that Chignoli edited, won the World Cinema Grand Prize (Dramatic).

Last but not least, Sleepwalk With Me, produced by Jacob Jaffke (’10), won the Best NEXT Audience Award.  Director Mike Birbiglia began his acceptance speech by saying that Compliance, the latest from Adjunct Directing Professor Craig Zobel and another very well-received film in the NEXT section of the festival, was his favorite film at Sundance this year.  Not bad, Columbia!