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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. 2 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

National Association of Schools of Theatre URTA

Live and Screened Performance

Events

Performance Season

Love and Information Venue: Tornabene Theatre November 16, 2025 to December 7, 2025

Screening Events

DocScapes: Si Pudiera Quedarme Venue: Marroney Theatre October 26, 2025 at 2:00pm

Workshop Productions

New Directions Festival Venue: Tornabene Theatre March 26, 2026 to March 29, 2026

Film & Television Production

News

David Aberle’s Film ‘Death Mask’ Heads to Hollywood for National Festival Debut

Death Mask, a short film written, directed, and produced by University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) senior David J. Aberle, has been officially selected… More

Sydney Townsend (‘25) Joins the Cast of Alicia Keys’ Critically Acclaimed ‘Hell’s Kitchen’

As she prepared to graduate last spring, Sydney Townsend (BFA Musical Theatre, ’25) was also navigating a major career milestone: auditioning for the national tour of Hell’s Kitchen,… More

TFTV Presents Powerful Story of Female Friendship in ‘Vanities: the Musical’

TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) proudly presents Vanities: the Musical, a funny, heartfelt, and ultimately empowering story of friendship,… More

Film & Television Producing & Studies

Featured Faculty & Staff

James Pack Scenic Shop Manager

James Pack is a graduate of Full Sail University with a Master of Science in Entertainment Business. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona majoring… More

Lisanne Skyler Professor

Lisanne Skyler is the writer/director of award-winning short, feature and documentary films that have been selected for Sundance, New York Film Festival, South by Southwest Film Festival, AFI… More

Barbara Selznick Associate Professor

Dr. Barbara Selznick, Associate Professor, received her doctorate from Northwestern University’s Department of Radio-Television-Film in 1997. Dr. Selznick’s research examines how films and television series are shaped by… 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

YouTube Exec Kendall Ostrow (’07) earns TFTV’S Young Professional Achievement Award

The School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) recently presented the inaugural Young Professional Achievement Award to alum Kendall Ostrow (‘07), acknowledging her singular career as a pioneer… 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

Clayton Lukens (’24) joins North American tour of ‘The Book of Mormon’ 

School of Theatre, Film & Television alum Clayton Lukens (BFA Musical Theatre, ’24) was recently selected to join the national touring company of The Book of Mormon. Over… 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

TFTV is thrilled to welcome back alum Damon Mosier (BFA ’12) as our new Production Resources Manager!

In his new role, Damon will oversee all production and postproduction equipment and operations for the Film & Television Program. A highly accomplished cinematographer and lighting technician, he brings a wealth of experience across scripted and unscripted content, live events, interviews, and streaming for film, TV, and social media.

Damon has served as lead camera tech at LA’s top-tier Revolution Studios and is an active member of IATSE Local 600 (International Cinematographers Guild) and an Associate Member of the Society of Camera Operators.

As a student, Damon’s cinematography on acclaimed BFA thesis films - like Seafood Tester (Aspen Shortsfest 2013, dir. Darious Britt, ’12) - earned widespread recognition.

Welcome back, Damon!

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 17958286400858854
TFTV is thrilled to welcome back alum Damon Mosier (BFA ’12) as our new Production Resources Manager! In his new role, Damon will oversee all production and postproduction equipment and operations for the Film & Television Program. A highly accomplished cinematographer and lighting technician, he brings a wealth of experience across scripted and unscripted content, live events, interviews, and streaming for film, TV, and social media. Damon has served as lead camera tech at LA’s top-tier Revolution Studios and is an active member of IATSE Local 600 (International Cinematographers Guild) and an Associate Member of the Society of Camera Operators. As a student, Damon’s cinematography on acclaimed BFA thesis films - like Seafood Tester (Aspen Shortsfest 2013, dir. Darious Britt, ’12) - earned widespread recognition. Welcome back, Damon!

...

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One Night Only!

Join us for a live table read of REEL LIFE, an original mockumentary sitcom created by the Sitcom Bootcamp 2025 cohort -a hilarious, behind-the-scenes look at the lives of ambitious (and wildly competitive) BFA FTV students.

October 16
7:30 PM
Harold Dixon Directing Studio (Drama 116)
Or watch the livestream: watch.tftv.arizona.edu/reel-life/

Developed as part of the 7th Annual Sitcom Bootcamp, led by legendary writer/director Brian Levant (The Flintstones, Jingle All the Way, Are We There Yet?), this sitcom pilot is packed with heart, humor, and a whole lot of drama (the fun kind).

Created and written by:
Madeline Heinrich, Amasi Rideaux, Alexa Leiting, Benjamin Evans, Joseph Palmisano, Sela Margalit, Cuatro Fluker, Rylee Moore, Marcus Thomas, Nathan Holdsworth, Shellie Limsky and Chance Ellison.
Under the supervision of Brian Levant, with preceptor David J. Aberle.

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 18380337787181490
One Night Only! Join us for a live table read of REEL LIFE, an original mockumentary sitcom created by the Sitcom Bootcamp 2025 cohort -a hilarious, behind-the-scenes look at the lives of ambitious (and wildly competitive) BFA FTV students. October 16 7:30 PM Harold Dixon Directing Studio (Drama 116) Or watch the livestream: watch.tftv.arizona.edu/reel-life/ Developed as part of the 7th Annual Sitcom Bootcamp, led by legendary writer/director Brian Levant (The Flintstones, Jingle All the Way, Are We There Yet?), this sitcom pilot is packed with heart, humor, and a whole lot of drama (the fun kind). Created and written by: Madeline Heinrich, Amasi Rideaux, Alexa Leiting, Benjamin Evans, Joseph Palmisano, Sela Margalit, Cuatro Fluker, Rylee Moore, Marcus Thomas, Nathan Holdsworth, Shellie Limsky and Chance Ellison. Under the supervision of Brian Levant, with preceptor David J. Aberle.

...

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We’re thrilled to announce that senior TFTV filmmaker David J. Aberle’s short film DEATH MASK has been officially selected for the 19th Annual LA SKINS FEST (@skinsfest) - the largest Native American film festival in the U.S. and a major launching ground for Indian Country’s most talked-about films.

Created as part of TFTV’s Documentary Production class, David’s film explores ancestral spirits, Indigenous knowledge, and cultural survival. Alongside fellow investigator Damien Charley (Diné), David collaborated on the film with classmates Steven Saldaña (cinematographer), Elias Bensch (night vision camera), and Donovan Heaney (audio).

“Death Mask was created to give voice to the beings who have always been here and to remind the world they are not forgotten,” says David. “Thanks to the visual lens of Steven Saldaña, the power of this story took shape, and together, our team entered that world with respect and purpose. This film is a reminder that our stories, our spirits, and our ceremonies endure. I am honored to have it recognized at the LA SKINS FEST among Indigenous filmmakers who are redefining how our stories are seen and understood.”

Congratulations, David - your voice and vision are blazing trails! Read more at the link in our bio.

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 18077939048032327
We’re thrilled to announce that senior TFTV filmmaker David J. Aberle’s short film DEATH MASK has been officially selected for the 19th Annual LA SKINS FEST (@skinsfest) - the largest Native American film festival in the U.S. and a major launching ground for Indian Country’s most talked-about films. Created as part of TFTV’s Documentary Production class, David’s film explores ancestral spirits, Indigenous knowledge, and cultural survival. Alongside fellow investigator Damien Charley (Diné), David collaborated on the film with classmates Steven Saldaña (cinematographer), Elias Bensch (night vision camera), and Donovan Heaney (audio). “Death Mask was created to give voice to the beings who have always been here and to remind the world they are not forgotten,” says David. “Thanks to the visual lens of Steven Saldaña, the power of this story took shape, and together, our team entered that world with respect and purpose. This film is a reminder that our stories, our spirits, and our ceremonies endure. I am honored to have it recognized at the LA SKINS FEST among Indigenous filmmakers who are redefining how our stories are seen and understood.” Congratulations, David - your voice and vision are blazing trails! Read more at the link in our bio.

...

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