Columbia College Chicago Mourns the Passing of Michael Rabiger, Visionary Filmmaker and Educator

Columbia College Chicago is saddened to announce the passing of Professor Emeritus Michael Rabiger, an internationally respected filmmaker, scholar, and former chair of Columbia College Chicago's film department. Rabiger profoundly shaped the field of documentary film and film education worldwide.

Michael Rabiger was a visionary humanitarian and pioneering documentarian whose books and films reshaped our understanding of storytelling in Columbia College Chicago and in global film communities, according to Wenhwa Tsao and Eric Scholl, interim co-directors of the School of Film and Television at Columbia.

He profoundly influenced his students, many of whom pursued successful careers in the film industry.

"There's no one who had more of an influence on my filmmaking career, and now novelist career, than my close friend and mentor, Michael Rabiger," says Columbia alum Tod Lending '83, director, producer, and writer at Nomadic Pictures, Ltd. "His deep understanding of the human condition, his sensitivity to other people's suffering, and his incisive intellect for analyzing the form and structure of story were just some of the gifts he offered. He was a man who gave and gave his heart to his students so that they'd go out into the world with the skills of storytellers, and the souls of compassionate human beings. He inspired me, catalyzed me, and added great meaning to my life."

Born on January 3, 1939, in England, Rabiger began his career in the cutting rooms of the renowned Pinewood and Shepperton Studios in the United Kingdom before becoming an editor and director of documentaries at the BBC. His early work laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong commitment to authentic storytelling, education, and the elevation of underrepresented voices in film.

Rabiger joined Columbia College Chicago in 1972 at the invitation of then-chair Robert Edmonds during a time of great transformation - both for the college and for himself. What began as a one-year teaching position evolved into a decades-long tenure that reshaped the college's creative and educational landscape.

Rabiger later served as chair of the film department, eventually establishing the Michael Rabiger Center for Documentary. Under his leadership, the department flourished to become one of the most influential programs of its kind in the country, influencing both students and faculty.

"Any time a student has a question about directing, idea development, or effective storytelling in narrative or documentary, my answer will always be shaped by something I learned from Michael Rabiger," says Scholl,

During his career, Rabiger directed and edited more than 35 films and led film education workshops in countries around the globe. He played a central role in the international film school community, leading a multinational European documentary workshop for CILECT (the International Association of Film and Television Schools).

His pioneering approach to documentary filmmaking and education earned him numerous accolades, including the International Documentary Association's Preservation and Scholarship Award and the Genius Career Achievement Award from the Chicago International Documentary Festival.

Films and TV projects he directed include "Breakaway" (TV Series), "Faces of Paris" (TV Series), and "Having a Lovely Time" (mini-series). He served as editor on many projects including the 1966 documentary "Goal! The World Cup."

A prolific author, Rabiger wrote several foundational texts used in film programs around the world, including "Directing the Documentary," "Developing Story Ideas," and the widely adopted "Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics."

In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, Rabiger was named professor emeritus by Columbia College Chicago. He was also honored as a visiting professor at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and as an Honorary Professor at the University of Buenos Aires.

Michael Rabiger's influence at Columbia College Chicago was profound and personal.

"Michael entrusted me with my first teaching job and instilled in me the confidence to grow as both an educator and a leader," says Tsao. "At a personal low point, he recognized my struggle and guided me to persevere."

Rabiger's legacy of mentorship and creative passion is evident at Columbia today, and his influence will continue to resonate at Columbia and beyond.

"Through his writings and his influence on generations of filmmakers, Michael Rabiger will inspire artists for years to come," says Scholl.

Learn more about the life of Michael Rabiger in this Columbia Chronicle story.

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