On September 24, 2025, the San Francisco Film School proudly celebrated its 20th Anniversary — a milestone two decades in the making. The day brought together alumni, students, faculty, and friends of the school for a series of unforgettable events honoring our shared passion for storytelling and film.
Alumni Luncheon: Reconnecting Through the Years
We began the day with a special alumni luncheon, where graduates from across two decades came together to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate how far the school — and its community — have come. It was a heartfelt reminder of the lifelong friendships and creative collaborations born at the Film School.
Sold-Out Masterclass with Roman Coppola
The afternoon featured a sold-out Masterclass with acclaimed filmmaker Roman Coppola. His insights into the craft and business of filmmaking were both inspiring and deeply practical, and the Q&A that followed gave attendees a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the industry’s most creative minds.
Evening Celebration & Awards Ceremony
As the sun set, guests gathered for a festive evening reception and award ceremony filled with delicious food, lively conversation, and well-deserved recognition.
We were honored to present our first annual Deep Focus Awards to two of our longtime faculty members — Jesse Gonzalez and Brandon Hamilton — who have been part of the Film School for 19 and 18 years respectively. Their dedication to our students and their craft has helped shape generations of filmmakers.
The Luminary Award went to distinguished alumnus Navyjot Bandiwadekar, whose creative achievements embody the spirit and excellence of our graduates. His debut feature film “Gharat Ganpati” won Best Debut Director of an Indian Feature Film at last year’s 55th International Film Festival of India, then went on to become a huge commercial success, and topped it off by recently winning the FilmFare Award (India’s Oscar) for Best Debut Director.
And our Rising Star Award was presented to current student Joaull Bazil, celebrating his exceptional talent and promise. Joaull also received a full academic scholarship for one year, supporting his continued growth as a filmmaker.
A Citywide Honor: “San Francisco Film School Day”
One of the most meaningful moments of the evening came when the City and County of San Francisco recognized the Film School’s contributions to the city’s creative landscape. Supervisor Danny Sauter presented a Certificate of Honor to founder Jeremiah Birnbaum and the school, commending two decades of empowering artists, storytellers, and visionaries.
Then, in a remarkable tribute, Mayor Daniel Lurie issued an official proclamation declaring September 24, 2025 as “San Francisco Film School Day.”
Beautifully framed in gold and bearing the city seal, the proclamation acknowledges the Film School’s founding mission, its lasting impact on San Francisco’s arts and culture, and its global influence through the work of its students and alumni.
“San Francisco Film School was founded on the fundamental principle that the best way to learn filmmaking is to make films, and for 20 years our school has empowered aspiring filmmakers to tell their stories and share their visions,” said Jeremiah Birnbaum, the school’s founder. “To be recognized by the city in which we’ve made our home is an incredible honor that celebrates both our past and our future.”
A Legacy of Creativity — And the Next 20 Years
This anniversary was not only a look back, but a look forward — to the next generation of storytellers, innovators, and artists who will carry the torch of the San Francisco Film School into the future.
We are profoundly grateful to everyone who joined us to celebrate — alumni, faculty, students, friends, and supporters — and to all who have helped build this creative community over the past 20 years. Here’s to the next chapter of our creative community!