Department of Film Studies

Department of Film Studies Department of Film Studies

The Film Studies Department prepares students to participate in a world increasingly shaped by moving pictures.

We believe that a comprehensive knowledge of film history, theory, and analysis enriches the creative filmmaking process, and that film scholarship benefits from an understanding of how filmmakers conceive, develop, and realize their vision.

Through courses that offer a foundation for understanding cinema — and its relation to culture, history, technology, and aesthetics — Film Studies teaches students to create and analyze moving images, to produce research, and to make art.

Professor talking in front of cinematography class

Undergraduate Program Learn to see film through many lenses - artistic, cultural, rhetorical, technical and commercial. See our B.A. in Film Studies

Filmmaker Ira Sachs talking with a class

Graduate Programs Delve deeper into film studies with a Master of Arts, or explore the world of filmmaking with a Master of Fine Arts terminal degree. See Graduate Programs

CHSSA Research and Innovation

Explore the broad range of research and scholarly activities taking place at UNCW's College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts.

Learn more

Graduating Film Studies student in Graduation regalia holding a clapperboard

Learn By Creating

UNCW's Film Studies Department offers state-of-the-art facilities to help our students make the most of their degrees. Create your own productions to share with the campus and community.

UNCW Film Studies majors are active creatives. Our students:

Perform substantial work in both critical studies and film production.
Produce over 500 motion pictures each year in every creative filmmaking mode: narrative, documentary, experimental and animation.
Edit the internationally distributed journal Film Matters.
Participate in film production and publishing internships in Wilmington, New York, Los Angeles and Great Britain.

See Our Facilities & Equipment See Our Students' Films

Visit and Tour the Film Studies Department

Department Tours

The Film Studies Department Chair hosts a tour for prospective students and their families. The tour includes a department overview, a question and answer session with the Chair, and an indoor walkthrough of our facilities.

All tours will be hosted in the new film studies building, the University Film Center.
The Fall 2025 Schedule is as follows:

September 5 at 2 p.m.
October 3 at 2 p.m.
November 7 at 2 p.m.

If you would like to attend a tour, please email Lauren Babson or call 910.962.7502. Email preferred. Please include your name, how many people will be in attendance, a phone number, and an email address.