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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

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
New Directions Festival 2027 Graphic New Directions Festival Venue: Tornabene Theatre February 21, 2027 to March 7, 2027

Film & Television Production

News

Photo from premiere of Sync Three Years After TFTV, RJ Zabasky (’23) Makes His Feature Film Debut in Hollywood

Just three years after graduating from the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television, RJ Zabasky (BA Film & Television, ’23) has written and directed his… More

NATAS 2026 Student Nominee Slices TFTV students earn record 13 nominations for 2026 NATAS Student Production Awards

Films by University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) students have earned a record 13 nominations for the 2026 Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the… More

Kerryn Negus at Mometu Film Festival 2025. Film Festivals select 32 TFTV student films to screen

School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) students are finding audiences around the world as their films earn selections and awards at respected festivals, reflecting the creativity, ambition… More

Film & Television Producing & Studies

Featured Faculty & Staff

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

Daniel Staggs Assistant Professor of Practice

Daniel is currently the faculty Technical Director and head of Theatre Design and Production for the School of Theatre, Film, & Television. He has worked in the technical… More

Hannah Meyer Academic Advisor

Hannah is a native Midwesterner who joined the College of Fine Arts in 2023. She works with students in the School of Theatre, Film & Television, advising majors and… 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

Mikaela Shwer (’04) debuts her award-winning documentary at the 33rd Arizona International Film Festival

The 33rd edition of the Arizona International Film Festival opens this week. The state’s longest-running festival will present 107 films from 21 countries and feature multiple faculty and alumni filmmakers from… More

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

Photo of Eyde Belasco Award-Winning Casting Director Eyde Belasco (’91) Returns to Campus for Audition Workshop

TFTV recently welcomed back to campus acclaimed casting director and alum Eyde Belasco (’91) for a hands-on audition workshop that gave students direct exposure to professional film and… 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

University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television Professor and 2026 Guggenheim Fellow Elaine Romero has spent her career writing stories that explore the intersections of history, family and the U.S.-Mexico border.

In a recent interview for Arizona Public Media’s “Speaking Personally,” Elaine reflects on her creative process, the importance of approaching every play with a beginner’s mind, and how the Guggenheim Fellowship will help amplify the stories she still wants to write.

“I’ll use this fellowship at every moment to draw attention to the work,” she said. “I’m being given this privilege that I want to share with my community, my students, the University of Arizona, and my plays.”

Read more and listen to the full conversation now at the link in our bio.

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 17974851240118239
University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television Professor and 2026 Guggenheim Fellow Elaine Romero has spent her career writing stories that explore the intersections of history, family and the U.S.-Mexico border. In a recent interview for Arizona Public Media’s “Speaking Personally,” Elaine reflects on her creative process, the importance of approaching every play with a beginner’s mind, and how the Guggenheim Fellowship will help amplify the stories she still wants to write. “I’ll use this fellowship at every moment to draw attention to the work,” she said. “I’m being given this privilege that I want to share with my community, my students, the University of Arizona, and my plays.” Read more and listen to the full conversation now at the link in our bio.

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Congratulations to Sean Leeman on his thesis film THE EXCHANGE RATE winning the Outstanding Achievement Award in Sound Editing at Indie Short Fest Los Angeles! Sean was also recognized with a nomination for Best Student Male Director at the festival, celebrating his creative vision and leadership behind the film.

The Sound Editing award recognizes the exceptional sound design collaboration between Sean and sound editor/mixer Eli Schmadel, whose work creates an immersive experience for audiences. “The world of The Exchange Rate is loud, frantic, and anxiety-inducing,” says Eli. “Sean and I challenged ourselves to make sure that every single sound you hear draws you even further into the headspace of these characters without becoming background noise.”

Proud to see the exceptional storytelling and technical artistry of our students receiving recognition on the festival circuit. Congratulations, Sean and Eli!

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 18032968886655057
Congratulations to Sean Leeman on his thesis film THE EXCHANGE RATE winning the Outstanding Achievement Award in Sound Editing at Indie Short Fest Los Angeles! Sean was also recognized with a nomination for Best Student Male Director at the festival, celebrating his creative vision and leadership behind the film. The Sound Editing award recognizes the exceptional sound design collaboration between Sean and sound editor/mixer Eli Schmadel, whose work creates an immersive experience for audiences. “The world of The Exchange Rate is loud, frantic, and anxiety-inducing,” says Eli. “Sean and I challenged ourselves to make sure that every single sound you hear draws you even further into the headspace of these characters without becoming background noise.” Proud to see the exceptional storytelling and technical artistry of our students receiving recognition on the festival circuit. Congratulations, Sean and Eli!

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