The Starr Foundation Hall at The New School’s University Center buzzed with excitement as Ruff Cuts, the university’s student-run film showcase, kicked off its first screening of the semester.

On Oct. 10, the air was filled with anticipation as nearly 100 people — students, faculty, and returning attendees — gathered to watch student films, exchange ideas, and engage with a creative community of filmmakers, editors, and producers from across the School of Media Studies and beyond. This kickoff wasn’t just a continuation of a long-standing tradition; since its start in 2008, Ruff Cuts has become a cornerstone of The New School’s film culture, and this semester’s event stood out for its shift toward longer, more experimental projects and its inclusion of first-time filmmakers. It felt like a reset — fueled by curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to take risks both technically and thematically.

“It felt like there were a lot more new faces,” Esther Jobi said, a media studies graduate student at Parsons School of Design and former Ruff Cuts producer. “The vibe was really fun. It felt very much like people were ready to engage, which is amazing.”

For filmmakers like Geoffrey Borabien, a culture and media student at Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts who was a first-time presenter this year said that Ruff Cuts is a “free focus group” for creative experimentation in filmmaking. “Sharing with a live audience gives me everything I need to start to work on my film and work out the kinks, right away.”

Borabien added that the smaller number of films in this screening — five longer films instead of the larger volume of shorter films in previous screenings — allowed for more attention to be given to each filmmaker. “I think it really puts a spotlight on these specific projects,” Borabien said.

Faculty advisor Tal Shamir emphasized the value of this event for filmmakers at any stage of production. “Most of the Ruff Cuts [films] we see are 70% or 80% done,” Shamir said. “Filmmakers still have a chance to see it from a fresh eye, hear the comments, and feel the energy that is happening.” 

Shamir described Ruff Cuts as an “incredible hub” for building filmmaking communities beyond the classroom, and praised the democratic nature of the screenings — where audience feedback plays a crucial role. Throughout the event, filmmakers listened as the audience shared reactions, questions, and suggestions, turning each screening into an open conversation rather than a one-way presentation.

The films themselves spanned genres and perspectives. Shamir noted, “I think the great thing about here is you can show any film you want. Today we saw a crazy comedy in outer space and a film about loss and suicide. And we saw a documentary about truck drivers from India and in Hungary. It really shows the diversity of the New School community and how amazing it is.” This semester’s lineup featured five films in total, presented primarily by media studies graduate students. Each student employed a distinct approach, creating films that ranged from surreal narrative storytelling to intimate nonfiction.

Looking ahead, the Ruff Cuts team hopes to continue expanding the program’s reach beyond The New School, creating more opportunities for collaboration across schools and with outside artists. Shamir said the goal is to keep “building connections,” not just between filmmakers, but also between students and alumni who can learn from one another’s work and experiences. 

Jobi noted that this year’s event felt “much livelier than usual,” with a lot of creative feedback and suggestions from the audience.

Shamir highlighted the broader impact of these connections: “We [are] also very, very focused on connecting [with] the community… We also invite alumni … festival programmers and industry people that are coming here. It’s about building a community in a strong, organic way, giving students a chance to learn from others and to see how their work fits into a larger creative ecosystem.”

With new energy, enthusiastic attendees, and a focus on collaboration, Ruff Cuts promises to be more than a film showcase this semester. It’s a place where students, alumni, and faculty can come together to share stories, get feedback, and envision what comes next in The New School’s creative community.