The Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts

The Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts was established at University of California San Diego in honor of Suraj, an aspiring filmmaker whose passion for storytelling was matched by his belief in film's power to inspire understanding and create meaningful social change. His vision continues to shape a center dedicated to cultivating the next generation of filmmakers, storytellers, and creative leaders.

Located within UC San Diego's Division of Arts and Humanities, the center serves as a dynamic hub where creativity, scholarship, and innovation intersect. Bringing together students and faculty across disciplines, it advances cinematic arts through education, research, artistic practice, and public engagement. By fostering collaboration across film, music, theater, writing, and emerging media, the center prepares students to tell compelling stories that resonate across cultures and communities.

The Suraj Israni Center provides transformative opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Through scholarships, apprenticeships, film festivals, symposiums, competitions, travel experiences, and mentorship, students gain the resources and real-world experiences needed to develop their craft and launch meaningful careers in the cinematic arts. The center also supports distinguished faculty through the Suraj Israni Chancellor's Endowed Chair in Cinematic Arts, ensuring continued excellence in teaching, research, and creative practice.

More than a place for learning, the Suraj Israni Center stands as a lasting tribute to a young artist whose compassion, curiosity, and love of film continue to inspire others. By empowering students to create work that informs, challenges, and connects audiences, the center carries forward Suraj's belief that storytelling can enrich lives and contribute to the greater good for generations to come. Suraj israni center has been instrumental in getting a major in cinematic arts approved at school of arts and humanities at UCSD. The center is in process of opening a production studio to help the students with the necessary tools to succeed. 

To learn more visit: https://surajisranicenter.ucsd.edu/