A Tribute to Bob Rosen

Robert “Bob” Rosen, founding director of the UCLA Film & Television Archive and former dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, passed away in late 2024. A titan of the film community, Bob was an archivist, scholar, educator and critic. Bob elevated the field of archiving by championing, training and advocating for the preservation of moving image media in all forms, from classic Hollywood to independent productions. Among his many leadership roles, he served on the National Film Preservation Board for over two decades and played a crucial role in the formation of The Film Foundation.

In his 2012 oral history(opens in a new tab) with the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF), Bob shared:

“The UCLA Film & Television Archive’s success in building one of the world’s largest collections and in establishing top-notch programs in preservation, programming and access was the result first and foremost of an extraordinarily dedicated staff. If I take any personal credit at all for our growth, it was in nurturing a sense of mission, determination and common purpose. Nothing, I thought, was impossible.”

With advocacy, passion and an indomitable spirit, Robert Rosen played a pivotal role in transforming the institution into what it is today — a world-class archive with an incredible team and unparalleled reputation. In this evening’s program, we remember Bob’s impact and thank him for making the impossible possible.