Oscar-nominated director Jason Reitman will return to USC’s School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) to deliver this year’s commencement speech for the class of 2026, Dean Elizabeth Daley announced Tuesday.
Reitman, an SCA alum, is the Oscar-nominated director of the films Juno and Up in the Air.
Aiden Cullen, a second year MFA student in the John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television, said he is a fan of Reitman’s movies and looks forward to hearing from him at graduation. Cullen previously attended one of Reitman’s career talks at SCA last spring.
Jason Reitman is also the son of Ivan Reitman, who is best known for directing the “Ghostbuster” series.
“It was really cool,” Cullen said of Reitman’s USC visit. He said something really funny about being a ‘nepo baby.’”
Other speakers announced include Alice Brooks, cinematographer for the Wicked franchise and In The Heights. Brooks is set to receive the Mary Pickford Alumni Award, which honors graduates whose achievements in the industry have brought distinction to the university.
“We are excited to welcome two of our accomplished alumni back to USC to help usher our latest cohort of graduating students into the professional world,” Daley said in a press release.
The dean also said that the two speakers are responsible for some of the school’s “most beloved films” over the last few years. She added that they “ are having the kinds of careers our students dream about.”
Wesley Ahart, a third-year student obtaining a master of fine arts degree in film and television production. A cinematographer himself, Ahart is set to graduate in May.
He said he was excited to celebrate Brooks’ “high level cinematography” next month.
“She’s made history in a lot of ways with what she’s done,” Ahart said. “I think her work is just so beautiful.”
Ahart said he feels honored to be in Brooks’ presence at the graduation ceremony. He said he hopes her speech will highlight her journey from SCA to success.
SCA’s graduation ceremony is set to take place at 1 p.m. on May 15 at the Shrine Auditorium.