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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

Strange Journey header image Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror Venue: Marroney Theatre October 10, 2026 at 7:00pm
Rocky Horror Graphic for TFTV The Rocky Horror Show Venue: Marroney Theatre October 11, 2026 to October 25, 2026
Photo of Amos Kennedy and his work. Proceed and Be Bold Venue: Marroney Theatre October 12, 2026 at 5:30pm

Film & Television Production

News

TFTV Nominees at 2026 NATAS Student Production Awards. TFTV Students win six NATAS Student Production Awards

The School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) at the University of Arizona is celebrating another strong showing at the Student Production Awards, with student filmmakers earning six… More

TFTV March 2027 Trip Application Graphic with New York City Skyline Applications are now open for TFTV’s 2027 New York Student Trip

Junior and Senior Musical Theatre and Live & Screened Performance students are invited to apply for the School of Theatre, Film & Television’s 2027 New York Experience, taking… More

TFTV cohort at Sundance Film Festival 2026. Applications are now open for TFTV’s 2027 Sundance Film Festival Student Trip

Senior Film & Television BA and BFA majors are invited to apply for the School of Theatre, Film & Television’s fifth annual Sundance Film Festival Student Trip, taking… 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

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

Yuri Makino Associate Professor, Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs

In 1998, Yuri Makino joined the School of Media Arts, now the School of Theatre, Film & Television where she is an Associate Professor. Currently she is the… 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

Craig T. Nelson delivers the keynote address for The University of Arizona’s 160th Commencement

This past Saturday, School of Theatre, Film & Television alum Craig T. Nelson delivered the commencement speech at the University of Arizona’s 160th Commencement ceremony. The ceremony was… More

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

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

🏆 Six Student Production Awards! 🏆

University of Arizona student filmmakers had a big day at this year’s National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards, taking home six awards from a record 13 nominations!

Thesis films by School of Theatre, Film & Television students were recognized across a range of categories, from directing and writing to cinematography, sound, acting and long-form fiction.

Best Director - Clinton Willis
Be Still, Boone

Best Cinematographer - Sean Leeman
The Exchange Rate

Best Writer - Kaitlyn Liddicoat
Rebranding Bob

Best Fiction Long Form - Clinton Willis
Be Still, Boone

Best Talent, Performer - Logan Tyler Hall
Be Still, Boone

Best Sound/Audio - Michael Staggers
They Wait

Hear from this year’s winners and check out highlights from the awards ceremony in this video, produced by TFTV alum Gage Judd (’19).

Huge thanks to @rockymountainemmy and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and CONGRATULATIONS to all of our nominees, winners, casts, crews and faculty!

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 18096477833343043
🏆 Six Student Production Awards! 🏆 University of Arizona student filmmakers had a big day at this year’s National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards, taking home six awards from a record 13 nominations! Thesis films by School of Theatre, Film & Television students were recognized across a range of categories, from directing and writing to cinematography, sound, acting and long-form fiction. Best Director - Clinton Willis Be Still, Boone Best Cinematographer - Sean Leeman The Exchange Rate Best Writer - Kaitlyn Liddicoat Rebranding Bob Best Fiction Long Form - Clinton Willis Be Still, Boone Best Talent, Performer - Logan Tyler Hall Be Still, Boone Best Sound/Audio - Michael Staggers They Wait Hear from this year’s winners and check out highlights from the awards ceremony in this video, produced by TFTV alum Gage Judd (’19). Huge thanks to @rockymountainemmy and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and CONGRATULATIONS to all of our nominees, winners, casts, crews and faculty!

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Calling all Musical Theatre and Live & Screened Performance students: applications are now open for @uatheatrefilmtv’s March 2027 New York Student Trip, taking place over Spring Break from March 6-13, 2027.

Eight students will be selected for the trip with expenses fully funded by generous donor Pat Engels and the School of Theatre, Film and Television.

The trip will give students the opportunity to step inside the professional musical theatre industry and prepare for a career in New York City. Over the course of a week, students will work directly with industry professionals, including casting directors and agents, and notable TFTV alumni such as Ben Crawford and Kendall Ostrow through individual coaching sessions, mock auditions, dance classes, and industry panels. Students will gain firsthand insight into the audition process, career development, brand management, and the realities of building a professional life in New York.

The experience also offers students the chance to see Broadway productions, connect with TFTV alumni working in the industry, explore New York’s theatre community, and experience the city as a potential home after graduation.

To be eligible, you must be a junior or senior LSP or Theatre Arts major or a Musical Theatre minor, at least 18 years old by December 1, 2026, and have a minimum 2.75 GPA. The application deadline is October 20, 2026 at 5:00pm.

Apply now to take full advantage of this amazing experience! Details & application link in bio.

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 17915485587459794
Calling all Musical Theatre and Live & Screened Performance students: applications are now open for @uatheatrefilmtv’s March 2027 New York Student Trip, taking place over Spring Break from March 6-13, 2027. Eight students will be selected for the trip with expenses fully funded by generous donor Pat Engels and the School of Theatre, Film and Television. The trip will give students the opportunity to step inside the professional musical theatre industry and prepare for a career in New York City. Over the course of a week, students will work directly with industry professionals, including casting directors and agents, and notable TFTV alumni such as Ben Crawford and Kendall Ostrow through individual coaching sessions, mock auditions, dance classes, and industry panels. Students will gain firsthand insight into the audition process, career development, brand management, and the realities of building a professional life in New York. The experience also offers students the chance to see Broadway productions, connect with TFTV alumni working in the industry, explore New York’s theatre community, and experience the city as a potential home after graduation. To be eligible, you must be a junior or senior LSP or Theatre Arts major or a Musical Theatre minor, at least 18 years old by December 1, 2026, and have a minimum 2.75 GPA. The application deadline is October 20, 2026 at 5:00pm. Apply now to take full advantage of this amazing experience! Details & application link in bio.

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Calling all senior Film & TV majors: applications are now open for @uatheatrefilmtv’s fully funded trip to the 2027 Sundance Film Festival, taking place January 22–29 in Boulder, Colorado. Twelve students will be selected to attend one of the world’s most influential film festivals, with all expenses covered, including travel, lodging, meals, accreditation, and local transport, thanks to the support of the Hanson FilmTV Endowment. Participants will attend screenings, panels, roundtables, and networking events with industry professionals, while getting an insider’s view as part of the festival’s official volunteer team.

To be eligible, you must be a senior BA or BFA Film & Television major (including online students), at least 18 years old by December 1, 2026, and have a minimum 2.75 GPA. The application deadline is October 5, 2026 at 5:00pm, and an info session will be held on September 24 at 5:30pm via Zoom.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience Sundance from the inside. Link in bio to apply.

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 18061755248787614
Calling all senior Film & TV majors: applications are now open for @uatheatrefilmtv’s fully funded trip to the 2027 Sundance Film Festival, taking place January 22–29 in Boulder, Colorado. Twelve students will be selected to attend one of the world’s most influential film festivals, with all expenses covered, including travel, lodging, meals, accreditation, and local transport, thanks to the support of the Hanson FilmTV Endowment. Participants will attend screenings, panels, roundtables, and networking events with industry professionals, while getting an insider’s view as part of the festival’s official volunteer team. To be eligible, you must be a senior BA or BFA Film & Television major (including online students), at least 18 years old by December 1, 2026, and have a minimum 2.75 GPA. The application deadline is October 5, 2026 at 5:00pm, and an info session will be held on September 24 at 5:30pm via Zoom. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience Sundance from the inside. Link in bio to apply.

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🎟✨ ON SALE NOW

Single tickets are now on sale for all shows in our 2026/27 Performance Season!

• The Rocky Horror Show: Oct. 11 - 25
• Stop Kiss: Nov. 15 - Dec.6
• New Directions Festival: Feb. 21 - Mar. 7
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: Apr. 18 - May 2

Get your tickets at tickets.arizona.edu!

Are you a student? See a show for only $5! We are excited to offer$5 tickets to every theatre performance this season. Available for purchase in-person at the Arizona Arts Box Office during operating hours and with student ID. More info at azart.fyi/freetftvtix.

We look forward to seeing you at a show!

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 18107832173038260
🎟✨ ON SALE NOW Single tickets are now on sale for all shows in our 2026/27 Performance Season! • The Rocky Horror Show: Oct. 11 - 25 • Stop Kiss: Nov. 15 - Dec.6 • New Directions Festival: Feb. 21 - Mar. 7 • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: Apr. 18 - May 2 Get your tickets at tickets.arizona.edu! Are you a student? See a show for only $5! We are excited to offer$5 tickets to every theatre performance this season. Available for purchase in-person at the Arizona Arts Box Office during operating hours and with student ID. More info at azart.fyi/freetftvtix. We look forward to seeing you at a show!

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