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Welcome

Welcome to the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV), one of the most dynamic and innovative programs in the United States. We bring together theatre with film and television in an integrated approach - preparing you to become a versatile storyteller across stage, screen, and emerging media.

Our Live & Screened Performance program equips students with cross-platform skills in acting, directing, writing, stage design, management, and dramaturgy for both live and recorded media. Thanks to our programs in Film & Television, TFTV is ranked the No. 4 public film school in the U.S. by The Wrap, offering hands-on training alongside academic grounding in critical studies and courses in the art and business of storytelling.

At TFTV, you’ll learn directly from world-renowned scholars, award-winning creators, and industry professionals from across academia, the arts, and entertainment. Regular guest artists and insiders from the field don’t just visit — they mentor, collaborate, and connect you to real-world opportunities, including internships. It’s more than education — it’s an immersive experience that launches your career.

Our FTV LA initiative, in partnership with Film Independent, offers unique access to the Los Angeles entertainment industry—screenings, networking events, workspace, and eligibility for prestigious fellowships like Project Involve.

Our home in Tucson, Arizona, offers more than a stunning desert landscape: it hosts a vibrant cultural scene with repertory and art theaters, film festivals, and permanent theatrical showcases. TFTV also produces numerous student-led performances, including live musical theater, fostering collaboration across disciplines.

We’re proud to be the only National Top 10-ranked film school that combines theatre with film and television into a collaborative and cohesive learning experience. This rare model ensures that you graduate not only in the medium of your choice, but with cross-disciplinary training that expands your creative and professional possibilities.

At TFTV, you’ll find a supportive, challenging, and inclusive space for artistic exploration—just steps from the mountains and a short trip to the heart of the entertainment industry.

Dr. Frances Gateward
Director

Live and Screened Performance

Events

Still from Forbidden Fruits FTV LA: Forbidden Fruits Venue: Film Independent (5670 Wilshire Blvd, 9th floor, Los Angeles) July 15, 2026 at 7:30pm
Rocky Horror Graphic for TFTV The Rocky Horror Show Venue: Marroney Theatre October 11, 2026 to October 25, 2026
Graphic for Stop Kiss, TFTV Fall 2026 Stop Kiss Venue: Tornabene Theatre November 15, 2026 to December 6, 2026

Film & Television Production

News

Student filmmakers bring Tucson’s heritage to the screen in Pima County documentary series

A series of short documentaries created by students from the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) is now publicly available as part of Pima… More

2026-2027 TFTV Season Lineup Graphic - No text Rocky Horror, The Curious Incident, new works highlight TFTV performance season

The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television has announced its 2026/27 performance season, featuring the cult phenomenon The Rocky Horror Show, original student-created works in… More

Photo from May 2026 News and Documentary Awards of the Prime Minister team. ‘Prime Minister’ lands top prize at Documentary Emmy Awards for Lindsay Utz (‘03)

University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television alum Lindsay Utz (‘03) earned major recognition at the 2026 News & Documentary Emmy Awards on Thursday night, as… More

Film & Television Producing & Studies

Featured Faculty & Staff

Jacob Bricca Professor

Jacob Bricca, ACE is an award-winning film editor, director, producer, and scholar. He has thirteen feature documentaries including the international theatrical hit Lost In La Mancha, the Independent… More

David Yarnelle Assistant Professor of Practice

David Yarnelle, Theatre Studies, has been a member of The School of Theatre, Film and Television faculty for nearly twenty years teaching theatre arts courses to students across… More

Erin Roberts Assistant Professor of Practice

Erin Roberts: is an actor, director, improvisor, and teacher and is very excited to join the LSP Faculty at the University of Arizona this fall. Formerly a professor… More

Film & Television Online

Student Work

UA FTV Fiction Films

Our students' films have gained recognition at the world's top films festivals, including the Berlin Intl. Film Festival and Sundance, and feature stellar performances from rising stars in the Theatre programs. BA and BFA students in the film program work collaboratively on films, with BA students applying skills learned in producing and studies courses to lead projects in the producer role. Magic Hour and I Dream in Widescreen are the popular showcases for fiction produced in the program. More

Design Tech Showcase Reveals Secrets

Every year, the school brings agents, professional designers and production specialists to campus to view the work of our actors and design and technology students. The annual Showcase of Talent offers our students a valuable next step into the business and direct access to industry professionals. More

UA FTV Documentaries

Our production students gain experience in documentary, and are taught by working filmmakers whose films can be seen on HBO, Netflix, and PBS. The documentary work is original and eclectic, and reflects the rich culture of Tucson. Student work is regularly showcased at What’s up, Docs at The Loft Cinema and at I Dream in Widescreen, the gala event of BFA senior thesis films that regularly draws crowds of over 1000 to the historic Fox Tucson Theatre. More

Film & Television Los Angeles

Alumni Spotlight

Filmmaker Sasha Reist (’23) speaks with CanvasRebel magazine about collaborators, mentors and the student film that changed everything

CanvasRebel, the online magazine that focuses on creatives making an impact and generating a living from their art, recently featured videographer and School of Theatre, Film & Television… More

Senior thesis films by TFTV filmmakers screen to packed audience at San Diego Comic-Con

This summer, University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) alumni Myles Gordon (BFA, ’23), Ryan Ramsey (BFA, ’23), Kaila Hines (BA, ’23), Anna Agosto (BFA,… More

From TFTV to Comic-Con: Student Film ‘Active Imagination’ Inspires Audiences

Each year at Comic-Con, the San Diego International Children’s Film Festival (SDICFF) presents a curated collection of films for audiences of all ages. As well as showcasing high-quality… More

Take a virtual tour of the University of Arizona

Take a quick virtual tour of the Fine Arts District and the rest of the UA Campus, click here.

Instagram

Congratulations to Lindsay Utz (‘03), whose HBO documentary PRIME MINISTER just landed the top prize at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards. Along with the award for Best Documentary, PRIME MINISTER won the Best Politics & Government Documentary Award. The film, which Lindsay co-directed with Michelle Walshe, continues an extraordinary awards run following its premiere at Sundance last year, where it won the Audience Award for Best World Cinema Documentary.

Since graduating from TFTV in 2003, Utz has established herself as one of the leading voices in documentary filmmaking. Her acclaimed credits include American Factory (Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Feature), Miss Americana, Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry and Martha. She was named the College of Fine Arts Alum of the Year in 2021.

Congratulations, Lindsay, on your latest remarkable achievement! Bear down!

Photo courtesy of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 18117576361694823
Congratulations to Lindsay Utz (‘03), whose HBO documentary PRIME MINISTER just landed the top prize at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards. Along with the award for Best Documentary, PRIME MINISTER won the Best Politics & Government Documentary Award. The film, which Lindsay co-directed with Michelle Walshe, continues an extraordinary awards run following its premiere at Sundance last year, where it won the Audience Award for Best World Cinema Documentary. Since graduating from TFTV in 2003, Utz has established herself as one of the leading voices in documentary filmmaking. Her acclaimed credits include American Factory (Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Feature), Miss Americana, Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry and Martha. She was named the College of Fine Arts Alum of the Year in 2021. Congratulations, Lindsay, on your latest remarkable achievement! Bear down! Photo courtesy of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

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