Come for the Academics, the Museums, and the Film Festivals

Ann Wang, a student at the School of the Arts, has been consumed by film and media for as long as she can remember. As both an avid content creator and a consumer of media, she spends much of her free time in New York at the city’s numerous film festivals and independent movie theaters. Otherwise, she can be found at a café, in a park, or trying one of the countless Asian food spots.

When are you graduating from School of the Arts, and from which program? What is your area of focus?

I'm graduating in February 2025 with a Master's degree in Film and Media Studies.I'm in the Emergent Media Studies track, and my research interests focus on environmental media studies, particularly within East Asian and polar contexts.


What drew you to film and media, and what was your path to pursuing graduate work at Columbia?

As a heavy media consumer, I was naturally drawn to the idea of working in media tech, and become a contributor of the content I’m interested in, which led me to major in communications and film production during undergrad. Eventually, I worked at one of the major tech companies and a web3 company.

Though working on production sets and in entertainment tech might sound completely different, they are equally exhausting—intense workloads, limited creative freedom, and a toxic gender dynamic. Yet thanks to these experiences, I grew curious about the hidden but massive, energy-consuming media-infrastructure layouts behind tech giants, and how they are portrayed in media. So I decided to pursue this degree at Columbia. We have an incredibly rigorous Film and Media Studies program at School of the Arts—and a super cool Climate School!

How did growing up between Asia and the U.S., and attending Peking University as an undergrad, affect your outlook on the culture in general, and your field?

I have a different immigration story from many others. Born to Chinese and Malay parents in the U.S., we moved to China when I was 10, and that sense of rootlessness lingered throughout my childhood as I constantly navigated different cultures. But it soon became a privilege: I’m always fully present and immersed in cultural spaces, while simultaneously distanced enough to notice the ruptures, clashes, and ignorance between East-Southeast Asia and the West. This has helped me piece together a broader, though fragmented, picture of these intersections.

One of the key takeaways from my undergrad years at Peking University (besides saving a fortune on tuition!) was gaining a deep understanding of Sinophone cultures. We had a similar curriculum of core courses like the one here at Columbia, which sharpened my ability to spot gaps in linear narratives and histories, to reflect, to question, and to think critically when engaged in cross-cultural dialogues, especially in a post-colonial context.

As East Asia becomes increasingly influential in both traditional media (films, videos, anime, manga, VR, games) and media infrastructure geopolitics (satellites, underwater cables, data centers), I feel a strong urge to bridge the gap between regions. Asia shouldn’t just be a substitute case study for Western theories: The region has a rich cultural heritage and thousands of years of knowledge production, which welcomes exploration and engagement.

How do you like studying in New York? What are your favorite urban activities?

Studying in New York has been incredible! The city’s energy and diversity fuel my creativity, and I’m always inspired by something uncanny at first sight, yet weirdly interesting. I also love exploring cafés (especially finding ones with Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, a restroom, and good taste in music), and finding new places in parks in which to unwind.


And, of course, trying out different Asian food spots. Go to Flushing in Queens for the best, most authentic Chinese food. For Malay-Chinese cuisine, try Kuih Café in Chinatown.

Any recommendations for how best to enjoy the city beyond campus?


Fully explore the art spaces and independent theaters. I highly recommend Anthology Film Archives (for contemporary and experimental films), the Asian Art Archive in America, the Noguchi Museum (even if you’re not that big of a fan), and e-flux. New York City hosts incredible film festivals—like the New York Film Festival, Orphan Film Symposium, the Tribeca Film Festival, the New York Asian Film Festival, and NewFest. Columbia School of the Arts also has an annual one in May.


What's one word of advice you'd give an incoming Columbia student? 


Embrace.

What didn't you expect to love about Columbia?

All the amazing (and free) talks and screenings on and off campus, exclusively for Columbia students! For instance, I got to see the movies Emilia Pérez and Anora this awards season for free.


Do you have any unlikely hobbies, or do you create any multimedia materials?


I have a seasonal habit of knitting and crocheting during New York’s long winters, which I tend to forget about when spring arrives. Occasionally, I write, make text-based games, and create collage video art when something frustrates me. A forthcoming article with two Columbia collaborators will be featured in Metode, a Norwegian interdisciplinary journal (check it out here in March: https://metode.r-o-m.no/volum/3).

What are your plans post-graduation?

I want to catch up on my language studies, get more involved in climate activism, knit more, and dive into my list of indie games. Hopefully, you’ll see me in a PhD program next year!