Alumnus Noah Pitifer produces 2026 comedy ‘Reunion’

From early inspiration in a sixth-grade classroom, Noah Pitifer ’14 now celebrates his biggest milestone yet with the upcoming film.

Noah Pitifer ’14 is carving out a career in Hollywood as a producer. His latest project, “Reunion,” is a comedy scheduled for release in 2026. It follows an Asian American funeral home worker who stumbles into the wrong high school reunion, where he is mistaken for a billionaire alumnus no one has seen in years.   

Noah has faced challenges in the film industry – including a wildfire evacuation. The foundation he built at FLCC and sheer persistence got him to the producer’s chair.   

Early inspiration

Noah’s love of film began in a sixth-grade classroom watching the 1997 movie “Titanic” with actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.  

The cover of the fall 2025 Laker magazine featuring Alumni and Foundation award recipients. “The soundtrack was captivating, and the story evoked so much emotion out of me that I thought, ‘I want to act and be in movies,’” Noah said. “I want to make whatever magic I just saw in ‘Titanic.’”  

That moment sparked a deeper curiosity about storytelling, motivating Noah to explore acting and filmmaking wherever he could. After getting his start as a seventh-grader in “11 Variations of Friar John’s Failure,” he went on to act in school productions like “Kiss Me, Kate,” “Oliver” and “A Canticle for Leibowitz.” He spent weekends creating short scripts with friends and filming them at home with a digital camcorder. 

This article connects with an alumni update in the fall 2025 Laker magazine. You can read the full magazine online.

Building a foundation

Noah did not have to look far when it came time to choose a college. Noah’s father, Mark, is an alumnus, and his mother, Leigh, was working at the FLCC campus center near his Geneva home.  

While earning his liberal arts degree, Noah discovered his passion behind the camera through hands-on assignments and student film projects. He credits Jeff Kidd, video engineer and technician, and Paul Engin, professor of visual and performing arts, for helping him learn the technical and creative aspects of video production.  

“Those two really made my time here worthwhile,” Noah said. “This place is like family to me. Every time I walk through here, I just get a warm feeling in my heart.”  

Noah and his father, Mark Pitifer. After graduating from FLCC, Noah transferred to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he studied film and gained real-world experience. In a made-for-the-movies coincidence, his mentor was Francisco Menendez, whom he had met at age 12 in Disneyland.  

During a family trip to the theme park, Noah’s father helped a man experiencing low blood sugar. It was Francisco, head of UNLV’s film department. Upon learning of Noah’s interest in film, he gave the 12-year-old his card. Francisco encouraged Noah to stay in touch and attend the university. With his guidance, Noah attended film festivals and secured internships that opened the door to opportunities in the industry.  

Along the way, he met director and writer John Kim, who became both a mentor and creative partner. The two have collaborated ever since, including on Noah’s most recent project, “Reunion.”  

Bringing ‘Reunion’ to life

“Reunion” began as one of three potential projects Noah and John were considering. For Noah, the script’s heart and humor stood out immediately.  

“When I read the script, I was like, this is something society needs right now,” he said. “All these characters in the film ... there’s a trait in each of them that mass audiences will relate to. And that’s what I loved.”  

The production, however, had its trials. On the very first day of filming, wildfires broke out in Los Angeles. By 10 p.m., the crew had to shut down the set as a mountain behind them caught fire.  

Moments like that tested Noah, but he leaned on the perspective he had gained throughout his journey. “I learned from FLCC, from UNLV, from the process for this movie ... it’s all incremental,” he said.   

What’s next

Now, as excitement builds for the 2026 release of “Reunion,” Noah sees the project as more than a professional achievement. It represents a full-circle moment rooted in lessons and opportunities he first discovered at FLCC.  

From at-home videos to short films in Geneva, and now, a Hollywood feature, Noah’s story shows that every step, no matter how small, can lead to incredible opportunities.  

“It is such an adventure,” he said. “I feel like I am living part of my dream ... I am very thankful.”