ITP alumnus Cristóbal Valenzuela ('18) has been named an honoree for the 2026 Tisch Gala, taking place on Monday, April 13, at Cipriani South Street 10 South Street, New York City.
The annual gala brings together Dean Rubén Polendo, faculty, students, and alumni for an evening of artistry and celebration. This year, the event honors the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Suzan-Lori Parks and ITP’s own Cristóbal Valenzuela, the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Runway.
About Cristóbal Valenzuela
Originally from Santiago, Chile, Valenzuela’s background spans economics, design, and filmmaking. His research into how AI algorithms could be used in art eventually led him to NYU Tisch’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP). While at ITP, he co-founded Runway with fellow classmates Anastasis Germanidis (’18) and Alejandro Matamala Ortiz (’18).
Under his leadership, Runway has become a global leader in AI research, developing multimodal tools that have transformed the modern creative workflow. The company’s technology has been utilized in major productions, including the Academy Award-winning film Everything Everywhere All at Once. Valenzuela’s contributions to the industry have earned him spots on the Washington Post’s "Next 50" and the TIME100 Next list.
The gala will feature an evening of artistry and celebration led by Dean Rubén Polendo. For more information on the event and the honorees, visit the Tisch Gala website.