In Memoriam: Curt Kaufman
Curt Kaufman, longtime member of New York Women in Film and Television, passed away on December 17, 2011. Born in Chicago, he was a producer, director, director of photography, videographer, editor, writer, and artist.
Curt was producing SHADOWS FROM MY PAST at the time of his death, also serving as it's director, videographer, editor and writer. He co-produced and directed MARY LEAH BANDY (chief film archivist for The Museum of Modern Art), and several educational and industrial films, and BRIEFE 1939 – 141 (LETTERS, 1939–1941) for the Austrian Ministry of Art, Science and Education for all German speaking students in Europe to teach them about the Holocaust and Justice.
Curt is the co-author of several award winning screenplays including LAST LETTERS and DARK SIDE which received a Film Institute of Austria screenplay Awards. DARK SIDE has been optioned by Kushner Locke. He also co-authored the audio-visual presentation SHADOWS FROM MY PAST, which received the Bruno Kreisky Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement in Human Rights.
He started working in films and video as an assistant to his father Reuben Kaufman, former president of Guild Films and Jayark Films. They produced such syndicated TV programs as Liberace, I Spy, Captain Grief, The Molly Goldberg, and the Betty White shows.
Curt has worked on over 41 theatrical and feature films as a photographer. His credits include :the George Washington II miniseries, The Kennedys of Massachusetts and Sophie’s Choice.
His photographs include the Newsweek cover story, "Kids With Aids," which received a Silurian Award for the best feature story of the year, and for which Curt was nominated for the World Press and Picture of the Year Award.
He is also the co-author and photographer of the photographic children’s books RAJESH (about childhood disabilities) and HOTEL BOY (about a homeless child). The former received an award from the United States Committee on Children’s Books.
Curt is survived by his wife and co-author and producer, Gita Kaufman.
Last updated: Apr. 9, 2012 