Delta Kappa Alpha: NYU’s Cinematic Society

Originally founded in 1936 at University of Southern California, Delta Kappa Alpha—or DKA—is a professional cinematic society with chapters across the United States, welcoming artists of all identities and majors. Many prominent filmmakers and performers, like Julie Andrews, George Lucas, Orson Welles, Lucille Ball, Alfred Hitchcock, and Gene Kelly, are alumni of DKA!

DKA opened its doors for the Gamma Chapter at NYU in 1950. Since then, it’s been a collaborative hub for all Violets interested in film. Just within NYU’s Gamma Chapter, members major in varied subjects like Film and Television (Tisch School of the Arts); Drama (also NYU Tisch); Media, Culture, and Communication (Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development); and Mathematics (College of Arts and Science)!

The national DKA website states, “The mission of Delta Kappa Alpha is to foster lifelong character, collaborative and creative storytelling, ethical and productive business practices, philanthropic action, and fellowship by and between students of the cinematic arts.”

In the year since I rushed, I have attended dozens of all-NYU and DKA-only events that bring me closer to filmmakers and other artists. DKA hosts so many collaborations with other on-campus organizations—like Warner Brothers at NYU, the Stern and Tisch Entertainment Business Association (STEBA), NBCUniversal at NYU, and the Tisch Undergraduate Student Council—to ensure every event is packed with movie-filled fun.

All-NYU events we host every semester include:

• Oscars trivia
• Holiday movie screenings
• Panels with filmmakers and interns from Saturday Night Live and Lucasfilm
• Promotional events with Warner Brothers for films like The Bride and Wuthering Heights (free merch included!)
• 48-hour film festivals
• Industry Education Week
• And so much more!

DKA members also hold exclusive events like:

• Secret movie screenings in partnership with the Sundance Film Festival
• Weekly chapter meetings
• Collaboration opportunities with other DKAs in the Gamma Chapter and on a national level
• Access to Retreat (the best DKA event, in my opinion)
• and THE national gathering of DKAs, Conclave

Rush is an event-packed two-week trial period to hear more about what DKA offers. Potential new members (PNMs) talk with members, meet other artists, and see if DKA is the right fit for them! An application must be submitted before the end of first-round rush in order to be considered for second-round rush. After the second round of rush, DKA invites select PNMs to become pledges and begin the process of initiation.

Each event is designed for PNMs to meet new people and collaborate with others. We just want to see who you are, so be yourself!

Rush occurs every fall and spring semester! Our fall rush is our largest interest cycle, but spring rush offers the same events and opportunities. Everyone rushes at different times! I loved rushing in the spring of my first year because it allowed me a free semester to see what I could commit to with my class schedule.

“Before rushing, I wish I knew how many awesome events I could take advantage of!” Emerson West, a junior Drama major from Los Angeles, California, says. “We’re all so busy, but making time to attend DKA events is so valuable to my education as an artist.”

Bella Zoila Smith, a senior Drama major with a minor in Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology from Orange County, California, adds, “You get out of DKA what you put into DKA. I’ve held bigger roles [on the chapter board], like recruitment, social, Retreat, etc. And while they’re very time-consuming, I’ve learned so much. Say yes to everything. Take advantage of as many opportunities as possible.”

Our largest chapter event is undoubtedly Retreat! Hosted at the end of the semester, Retreat is a weekend for DKAs to be together, away from the bustling city and schoolwork. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends and bond with old ones.

DKA has given me exactly what I was looking for: a connection with other film-interested Violets and a deeper understanding of the film industry. Across the board, friendships are the reason DKA is what it is.

“I think the biggest thing that DKA provides is just the aspect of connecting all majors under the same umbrella of being passionate about film,” Bella says. As a Drama major, she found that the opportunities in DKA bridge the gap in access to film sets from the get-go. She adds, “Being able to build those relationships and true genuine friendships with people that are going to be my fellow collaborators for the rest of my life has been absolutely priceless and invaluable.”

Dany Batalla, a sophomore majoring in Drama with a minor in Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology from Mexico City, Mexico, joined in the fall semester of her sophomore year. Already, she’s found a home in the Gamma Chapter. “DKA has connected me to so many people who are as hardworking and loving as I am,” she says. “It is amazing to collaborate with all of them to achieve our goals together.”