Written and directed by Calleran, Caity is an atmospheric coming-of-age drama set in upstate New York. The film follows 16-year-old Caity, who helps run her family鈥檚 haunted house attraction each Halloween while quietly carrying the emotional strain of her father鈥檚 fragile sobriety. When he relapses, Caity is forced to take on even greater responsibility, seeking escape through a new romance and increasingly risky choices. As the season unfolds, she confronts the consequences of growing up too quickly and the lasting shadows within her family.

Lindsay Calleran 鈥�20 M.F.A. studied directing at the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema.

The film is also a testament to the collaborative spirit of the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema with a crew that includes fellow alumni Joe Stankus 鈥�20 M.F.A., Directing; Jack Davis 鈥�20 M.F.A., Cinematography; Malcolm Thorndike Nicholson 鈥�21 M.F.A., Directing; and Alley Leinweber 鈥�20 M.F.A., Directing.

Calleran鈥檚 selection to Tribeca highlights the creative excellence fostered at Feirstein and underscores its mission to cultivate bold, resonant, and diverse storytelling voices.

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Desir has earned widespread recognition for her compelling work as a writer and director. Her accolades include the highly competitive Lynn Shelton 鈥淥f a Certain Age鈥� Grant, the Caucus Foundation Grant, and the New York Women in Film & Television Award. Her most recent short film, Jean & I, won the Directors Guild of America Grand Prize for the East Coast for 2024鈥�25. Additionally, her manuscript Saving Jude was selected for the Penguin Random House / We Need Diverse Books Revisions Workshop grant.

A passionate storyteller, Desir is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the human experience through both narrative and documentary work. Her projects often illuminate the nuanced emotional and psychological landscapes that define the human spirit. Desir joins an esteemed list of past fellowship recipients, including Tony Kushner (playwriting/screenwriting, 1987), Lynn Nottage (playwriting/screenwriting, 1994, 2000), and Spike Lee (film, 1985).

The NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship Program, administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts with leadership support from the New York State Council on the Arts, awards unrestricted $8,000 grants to artists working in 15 artistic disciplines. The program recognizes five disciplines each year on a rotating basis.

Earlier in 2025, Desir won the grand prize at the Directors Guild of America Student Film Awards for her film 鈥�Jean & I,鈥� which tells the story of Michelle, a 10-year-old survivor of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

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As the newest institution included in the magazine鈥檚 prestigious annual rankings, Feirstein stands out for its affordability, cutting-edge facilities, and unique location within Steiner Studios at the Brooklyn Navy Yard鈥攔ight in the heart of New York City, one of the world鈥檚 most competitive entertainment markets.

The Hollywood Reporter praised the program, noting: 鈥�Feirstein counts Ethan Hawke and Darren Aronofsky as members of its advisory council and is a top public offering in the most expensive entertainment hub in the country. The program, based in Steiner Studios at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, offers an MFA with specializations in live-action filmmaking, digital animation and VFX and new courses on casting, intimacy coordination and analogue cinematography.鈥�

Charles Haine, a longtime faculty member who took over leadership of the school in July, emphasized Feirstein鈥檚 commitment to accessibility and innovation in film education. 鈥淲e鈥檙e redefining what a world-class film education can look like and offering our talented and diverse students the opportunity to tell their unique stories at a fraction of the price of other top film programs.鈥�

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With a permanent dean now in place at SVMPA, the college is pleased to announce a transition in the administrative structure of the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema. The school鈥檚 chair, Charles Haine, a longtime faculty member with extensive experience leading the program, will assume the responsibilities of the executive director under the guidance of the dean after the departure of Richard N. Gladstein earlier this month.

This change to consolidate leadership responsibilities at Feirstein will streamline operations and strengthen alignment between our academics and administration.

“Charles Haine brings a rare combination of industry expertise, academic experience, and creative vision that makes him an ideal choice to lead Feirstein,鈥� said Provost April Bedford. 鈥淗is deep understanding of both traditional filmmaking and emerging technologies ensures that students are prepared for the evolving landscape of cinema, while his commitment to mentorship and innovation aligns perfectly with the mission of 可乐视频.”

鈥淚 am honored to step into this new role at Feirstein,鈥� Haine said. 鈥淥ur students are incredibly talented and passionate, and working alongside them has been deeply rewarding. I look forward to building on that experience and helping create an environment where their creativity and vision can truly thrive.鈥�

Assistant Professor Haine is a veteran filmmaker and entrepreneur who has been working in the motion picture industry since 1999. In 2008, he founded the Academy Award鈥搉ominated production company Dirty Robber, which he led until joining the faculty at 可乐视频 in 2015.

Throughout his career, Haine has directed a diverse range of projects, including feature films, music videos, and high-end fashion advertisements.

At Feirstein, Haine spearheaded a strategic partnership with industry leader Blackmagic Design. This long-standing collaboration has brought cutting-edge technology into the classroom, giving students hands-on experience with tools used throughout the production pipeline鈥攆rom on-set capture to final finishing. The initiative emphasizes training in large-format cinematography, HDR workflows, and immersive video production, helping students prepare for the evolving demands of the industry.

Haine is also developing a collaboration between Feirstein and the Museum of the Moving Image. This partnership will create internship opportunities, integrate cinema technology history into the curriculum and expand training programs in documentary filmmaking.

As a director, Haine helmed the narrative feature and recently completed production on the documentary , which explores an innovative high school education model in Winchester, Virginia. The film, produced in collaboration with executive producer Ted Dintersmith (Most Likely to Succeed), is set to premiere at a major film festival this fall, with a nationwide screening series to follow.

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Taking first place in the African American category/East Region, Jean & I tells the story of Michelle, a 10-year-old survivor of the 2010 Haiti earthquake who attempts to escape both her past and her new home when she learns that her “new” family is not what they seem.

“The Feirstein community deserves a tip of the hat for helping bring this compelling story to life,鈥� Desir said. 鈥淔rom Professors Ricardo Hernandez Anzola and Jodi Gibson, who provided critique during the writing phase, to Professor Daniel Garcia, who provided thoughtful insight during post-production, their guidance, along with the work of a talented cast and skilled crew of mainly Feirstein students made Jean & I shine. This award recognizes the contributions of each person involved, including that of producers Clairesa Clay [鈥�23 M.F.A.] and Charles Pigott, cinematographer Kusi-Quyllur Del Castillo, and editor Giuseppe de Matteis.鈥�

Writer, producer and director Mirta Desir 鈥�23 M.F.A. (left) and cinematographer Kusi-Quyllur Del Castillo at the Directors Guild of America Student Film Awards.

The crew comprised other Feirstein students and graduates, including Imani Garner 鈥�23 M.F.A. (music supervisor and composer); Karen Chen and Taya Higgs (sound designers and composers); Kevin Fentress 鈥�24 M.F.A. (first assistant camera position); Arsalan Danish 鈥�22 M.F.A. (camera operator and gaffer); H.J. Kim (steadicam operator); Samuel Romero (first assistant camera position); Julia Zanin de Paula 鈥�22 M.F.A. and Rafael Alvarado 鈥�21 M.F.A. (second assistant camera position); Greg Fitton 鈥�22 M.F.A. (electrician); Jack Davis (key grip); Nelli Toth 鈥�23 M.F.A. (grip); Vicente De Paulo, Emeka Chukwurah, and Sasha Podolyanchuck (grip and electric swing); Julie Neira Campoverde (sound mixer); Lin Tzu Yu visual effects supervisor); Hrvoje Budimir Bek (production designer); and Wesley Jean-Pierre and Jor猫s Phillipe (COVID-19 compliance officers).

Jean & I tells the story of Michelle, a 10-year-old survivor of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Jean & I tells the story of Michelle, a 10-year-old survivor of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Desir is currently in development for her debut feature film, Voudou Child, whose screenplay was the recipient of the Lynn Shelton 鈥淥f a Certain Age鈥� Grant. She has earned other prestigious grants and awards for her writing and directing, including the Caucus Foundation Grant and the New York Women in Film & Television Award. Her manuscript, Saving Jude, recently won the Penguin Random House Publishing / WNDB Revisions Workshop grant.

The East Region screenings and ceremony took place at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Theater in New York on Dec. 18. The awards were established by the DGA鈥檚 National Board 30 years ago to address the significant underrepresentation of directors of color and women directors in feature filmmaking.

Jean & I has been submitted to several film festivals. To see where you can see the film, follow on Instagram.

鈥淚t鈥檚 so exciting and inspiring to see the incredible work on display at the 30th Annual DGA Student Film Awards,鈥� said DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter. 鈥淭hese directors represent the very best of a new generation of filmmakers, and we are proud to showcase their projects. Over the past 30 years, the Student Film Awards has been a launchpad for many incredible directors, including Jon Chu, Rashaad Ernesto Green, Ryan Coogler, Nicole Kassell, and Sylvain White. Their success is a testament to the power of this program and the importance of highlighting the rising stars in our industry.鈥�

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In its review, The Hollywood Reporter wrote:

鈥淲ith two-time best picture nominee Richard Gladstein as the executive director, Feirstein has received a lot of institutional Hollywood support, including a recent donation of film cameras and lenses from Steven Soderbergh. Additions to faculty have included acclaimed producer Anne Carey (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) and editor Veronica Rutledge (Ramy, Emily in Paris). The newest film program on the list鈥攊t was established in 2015鈥攐ffers students a New York鈥揵ased education without the price tag of other universities in the area (see: NYU and Columbia).鈥�

In July, the school made magazine鈥檚 list of 鈥淭he 30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada in 2024.鈥�

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An Oscar- and Tony-winning and Emmy-nominated producer of film, television, theater, and live events, Cohen won an Academy Award for Best Picture for American Beauty and earned additional Best Picture nominations for Milk and Silver Linings Playbook. He is currently serving, along with Lady Gaga, as co-chair of the

Cohen recently brought his latest film, Rustin, to the Graduate School of Cinema and engaged in a master class with students and alumni.

鈥淏ruce is a wonderful creative producer,鈥� said the school鈥檚 executive director, Richard N. Gladstein, 鈥渁nd for him to bring his vast and unique experiences to our students is a great gift. It enhances our students鈥� education in many ways.鈥�

Cohen will lead students in a variety of formats, including:

• 鈥淢ake Your Day鈥� workshop: Cohen will meet with a group of students and use a call sheet from one of his recent films to walk through why scenes were scheduled the way they were, and the difficulties, considerations, and priorities of the day for all concerned, including the lighting /camera, VFX, cast, script content, location, coverage, time of day shooting challenges, and more. He will also discuss the role of the creative producer in helping make sure each day gets made in the best possible way for both creative and budget/schedule considerations.听He will share the script pages for the day, the call sheet, the schedule, etc. A good event for producers, directors, and cinematographers, it will include two hours on a big stage and is open to all students and alumni.
• 听Set Visits:听Cohen will visit and observe several thesis film shoots, and then meet with producers, directors, and assistant directors to discuss recommendations and observations.听About five films will be selected, and Cohen will spend one to听two听hours听on their sets, meeting with students听for an hour for each film.
• One-on-One Mentoring:听Cohen will meet with students who sign up for one-on-one mentoring sessions.

Other filmmakers-in-residence who have worked with students at the Graduate School of Cinema include Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh (The Piano, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty), producer Ross Katz (In the Bedroom, Lost In Translation), and the filmmakers behind the award-winning HBO series Random Acts of Flyness鈥擳erence Nance Kelly Rowland, and Jamal Washington鈥攁mong others. This unique program is made possible through a generous grant provided by the NYC Mayor鈥檚 Office of Media and Entertainment.

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So, when addressing digital copyright piracy in the entertainment industry, Gladstein has had a front-row seat to its debilitating effects.

On Dec. 13, Gladstein brought his expertise to Washington, D.C., and testified before Congress regarding Internet piracy. Speaking before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, the hearing, “,” examined digital copyright piracy today, with an emphasis on solutions for online piracy of audiovisual works such as movies, television, live sports, and entertainment on illegal download and streaming sites.

Gladstein explained how piracy affects the crews, as well as the communities where films are made, all across the country.

鈥淲hat you may not know is that each film contributes on average $250,000 to the local economy each day it shoots. Smaller-budget films may shoot for 24 days, and larger-budgeted films shoot more than 70 days,鈥� Gladstein said. 鈥淚n the U.S., the film and television industry employs 2.4 million Americans. Those numbers bear out what I have always known in my heart to be true鈥攖hat creativity is not just an important part of American life, it is the backbone of our nation’s cultural and economic strength, both here and around the world.鈥�

Gladstein explained that despite these numbers, as well as the fact that the Internet has helped grow audiences, these industries have been besieged by widespread digital piracy from the inception of the Internet, and there has been little recourse or consequences.

Pointing to a recent study, Gladstein said that as many as 30 million consumers across nine million American homes use illegal streaming services, often without even realizing it. Another report found digital video piracy causes domestic losses of at least $29 billion and as much as $71 billion every year, resulting in losses between $47 billion and $115 billion to the gross domestic product. The same study found that this costs the U.S. economy between 230,000 and 560,000 jobs each year鈥攖he majority of which are taken from the workers behind the cameras who put in long hours each day.

While there are laws in place around the world that have proven to be effective tools against this kind of piracy, Gladstein pointed to the fact they are not yet available to copyright owners in the United States, and he urged the committee to implement similar measures.

鈥淥ne such tool, broadly available in developed countries around the world, allows courts to issue no-fault injunctive relief, or 鈥榮ite blocking,鈥� orders, directing Internet service providers after a full judicial process to block local access to offshore websites that are found to be dedicated to piracy,鈥� Gladstein testified. 鈥淭his tool has proven to be an effective remedy against piracy in the more than 40 countries that have implemented it, including Western democracies like Canada, the UK, and most of the countries in the EU.鈥�

When speaking as the executive director of the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema, Gladstein added it is critical to protect the cinematic storytellers of the future.

鈥淭hese stolen revenues affect the number of films made every year,鈥� Gladstein said. 鈥淲e want our students and graduates to have the most opportunities available to them as possible, so Internet piracy is something that needs to be taken seriously to ensure their future success.鈥�

Gladstein testified along with Karyn Temple, senior executive vice president and global general counsel, Motion Picture Association, and former register of copyrights and director, U.S. Copyright Office; Matthew Schruers, president, Computer & Communications Industry Association, and co-founder and board chair, Digital Trust & Safety Partnership; and Rich茅 McKnight, executive vice president and general counsel, Ultimate Fighting Championship, and deputy general counsel, and co-head of litigation, Endeavor.

Gladstein鈥檚 full testimony is available on at the 29:00 mark.

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Through her father, Jackson is Ghanaian and a first-generation American. She was born in Newark, New Jersey, and a large portion of her life was spent in South Carolina, where her late mother was from. Like her mother, Jackson is a Southern woman, specifically a Carolina gal. In 2018, she moved to New York and has been living in the Bronx. She has a diverse career background that ranges from emergency medical service to commercial truck driving throughout the United States and into Canada. She had some decisions to make when the pandemic forced her from the road. Jackson chose to follow a deferred dream and went back to school to learn about filmmaking. In winter 2022, she graduated with an associate degree in video arts and technology from Borough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY). She immediately transferred to 可乐视频 to further her education. In 2023, she graduated with a B.A. in film production. She is currently working on post-production on her thesis film, a comedy called Rose.

Rhye is a filmmaker, writer, and photographer based in Brooklyn. A sustained focus on the natural world and the individual in tension with broader human-generated systems of justice, Rhye earned her B.A. from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University, concentrating in aesthetic history and design. After graduating, she worked in the field of experiential event production and creative brand strategy where she developed a deep interest in applying design thinking to solve creative challenges. She is as passionate about beautiful storytelling as she is about healthy work environments and building equitable, collaborative leadership models. Rhye is currently an M.F.A. in Cinema Arts at Feirstein.

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鈥淲e are extremely excited that Feirstein continues to be recognized as one of the best film schools,鈥� Executive Director Richard N. Gladstein said. 鈥淭he combination of being the only film school operating on a working film lot at Steiner Studios, our accomplished and experienced faculty, and mentoring programs with industry leaders, coupled with our affordable tuition allows our incredibly diverse student body to succeed and stand out as the new voices in film today.鈥�

It was the third straight year that Feirstein made The Hollywood Reporter鈥檚 exclusive list, which was published on August 11. The leading film magazine pointed to the support the school has received for incoming student scholarships and thesis film projects. The school was also singled out for its affordable tuition, which is one-third of most leading film schools.

The Hollywood Reporter wrote: 鈥淭he CUNY graduate program, which boasts a 500,000-square-foot production hub, has not raised tuition in three years, with a focus on affordability for local talent, with the majority of students Brooklyn residents. 鈥� The program, which has seen enrollment increase year-over-year since its 2015 inception, has an impressive board of advisors, including Steven Soderbergh and Ethan Hawke, and just added Participant CEO, David Linde.鈥�

One of Feirstein鈥檚 biggest strengths is its ability to connect the film industry to students and its students to the industry. Most recently, students were treated to a masterclass seminar with Franklin Leonard. Leonard鈥攁lso a Feirstein Advisory Council member鈥攊s the founder and CEO of The Black List, which supports screenwriters through film production, an annual survey of best-unproduced screenplays, its online marketplace, as well as screenwriter labs. More than 400 scripts from the annual Black List survey have been produced as feature films earning 250 Academy Award nominations and 50 wins including four Best Pictures鈥攊ncluding Spotlight, Slumdog Millionaire, The King鈥檚 Speech, and Argo鈥攁nd nearly half of the last 15 years鈥� screenwriting Academy Awards. Franklin has worked in feature film development at Universal Pictures and the production companies of Will Smith, Sydney Pollack, Anthony Minghella, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

On August 21, students will hear from another filmmaker and Feirstein Advisory Council member听Steven Soderbergh, who won the Academy Award for Best Director for the film听Traffic. 听Soderbergh鈥檚 other notable films include听Sex, Lies, and Videotape,听Out of Sight,听and Erin Brockovich, among others. He has served an important role on the Advisory Council, and his continuing mentorship will include a master class seminar moderated by Gladstein to welcome the new class of students on their first day of orientation. Students have also enjoyed past seminars with Advisory Council members actor/director John Turturro, cinematographer, director Rachel Morrison, and others.

As for MovieMaker听magazine鈥檚 鈥溾�� issue that Feirstein made for the fourth straight year, it praised for its outstanding film production offerings.

鈥淸Feirstein] has really hit the ground running under the guidance of two-time Oscar-nominated producer Richard Gladstein,听The Hateful Eight, who serves as executive director, using his and the faculty鈥檚 other connections to bring in industry guests to speak to students about their work and journeys.听 鈥� The cutting-edge facilities provide access to premium equipment, four soundstages, seven Avid Everywhere post-production suites, four DaVinci Resolve color grading suites, ADR studios, mixing rooms, a construction shop and a prop room. Feirstein covers the gamut for those interested in learning directing, cinematography, postproduction, digital animation and VFX, producing, screenwriting, sonic arts, and media scoring. It鈥檚 a great low-tuition option for students from New York who want to live and learn in the Big Apple, a glorious nexus of cultures, people, and ideas. 鈥� Another attractive perk of the school is its location at Steiner Studios, so students are immersed in the hustle and bustle of a working production lot.鈥�

About Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema

The Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema educates a diverse student body in the art and craft of filmmaking, music-making, and storytelling in a hands-on, collaborative environment that mirrors the professional world. The extraordinary faculty and staff made up largely of working members of the film, media, and music industries, encourage students to discover their authentic voices and guide them toward a wide variety of careers.

The only film school located on a working film lot (within Steiner Studios), Feirstein School opened in 2015, the result of a $30 million public-private partnership. With tuition costing one-third of other major film schools, we offer M.F.A. degrees in cinema arts鈥攚ith specializations in cinematography, digital animation and visual effects (DAVE), directing, post-production, producing, and screenwriting鈥攁s well as in sonic arts, media scoring, and an M.A. in screen studies.

The Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema is based in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and is part of 可乐视频 and The City University of New York (CUNY).

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