Film
Film programs at UArts offer a behind-the-camera experience unlike any other. You can choose to study film through a variety of creative avenues, including film and video, film production design, animation, and photo and film media. There are no limits to the career options you'll have as with a degree in film—our programs are designed to teach you how to reach your unique goal. Our graduates become directors, editors, cinematographers, art directors, and photographers, to name a few. If you're interested in filmmaking and all that is involved with it, look no further than studying at UArts.
UArts will also open a 5,600-square-foot Center for Immersive Media by 2020, with studios dedicated to motion-capture and immersive technologies like augmented and virtual reality.
Mike Attie is a 2013 Sundance Documentary Film Program Fellow and was named one of The Independent's “10 Filmmakers to Watch in 2014.”
His most recent feature documentary, IN COUNTRY, had its world premiere at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and international premiere at Hot Docs in Toronto. The film was supported by the Sundance Documentary Film Program, IFP and numerous Seattle arts foundations. Since the premiere IN COUNTRY received extensive press including an NYTimes Op-Doc and articles in Salon and the Atlantic.
His previous work has shown at major film festivals including SilverDocs, San Francisco International and the Black Maria Film + Video Festival.

























On Saturday, Nov. 3, the University of the Arts Film program celebrated its 50th anniversary with an event called Spotlight on Film. Attendees included alumni from the past 50 years, along with the first class to graduate, the Class of 1968. This is the first University of the Arts reunion for any class in the Film program. The event featured a panel of alumni moderated by Program Director Mike Attie.
Panelists included alumni who span the past 50 years:
Seth Kramer ’96
Kramer is a three-time Emmy nominated documentary filmmaker. He is the co-founder of Ironbound Films, which creates documentaries for theaters, television, museums and the web.
Nadia Hironaka ’97
Hironaka is a filmmaker in Philadelphia. She is currently the Chair of the Film and Video department at The Maryland Institute College of Art. In 2015, Hironaka received the Guggenheim Fellowship.
Miller Drake ’72
Drake is a visual effects editor who has worked in the industry for over 40 years. His work includes films such as The Abyss ‘99, Green Lantern ‘11, The 6th Day ‘00 and Virus ‘99.
Andrew Wheeler ’01
Wheeler is the Director of Photography on feature films, commercials and music videos. He has worked on music videos for Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Childish Gambino and the Netflix series Small Crimes. In 2014 Wheeler was named one of the 'Below the Line All Stars' by Variety magazine.
Vanessa Martino ’14.
Martino is a director, producer and editor. She has worked as the associate producer and editor for the documentary The Rape of Recy Taylor. She is currently a producer at Augusta Films in New York.
The panelists spoke of hardships faced as a professional in the film industry. Hironaka recalled, “I had no grand notions of making a living as an artist…To be a full time artist, it’s pretty hard. That balance of the job and your artmaking is pretty tricky...You have to love making it.” Drake chimed in with his own experience, “I remember everybody said you’re not going to make a living out of being an artist, and this was back in 1972...I remember everybody went out and got ‘regular’ jobs, and it was very hard.”
Panelists also gave advice to students to take advantage of opportunities in Philadelphia. Martino said of her own experiences at the University, “If I didn’t do all the work I did here and really build my resume on set, I don’t know if those jobs (in New York) would have wanted me." She continued, “Don’t take no for an answer. If you have faith that you can do it, any opportunity you have to show your work, do it.”

The night culminated in an announcement of the 2019 Peter Rose Film Award recipient, Kyrie Clemmer ‘20. The Peter Rose Film Award honors the legacy of experimental filmmaker and UArts faculty emeritus Peter Rose, who taught at the University for over 40 years. Rose mentored generations of filmmakers, and according to Attie, Rose described his cinematography class as “introducing different ways of seeing the world.” The award honors a student who encompasses that mission. Clemmer’s work spans documentary, narrative and experimental film; the award will fund the production of their thesis film.
The Film 50th Anniversary was truly a celebration of UArts filmmakers past and present. The event was photographed by current Film student Skylar Watkins ’21.
Congratulations to Caitlin Riggsbee BFA '17 (Film), a research assistant on John Oliver's "Last Week Tonight." Which took home the Emmy Award for Best Variety Talk Series at the 70th annual Emmy awards on September 17. That marks the third consecutive victory in the category for the HBO late-night show.
Prior to joining the hit HBO show, she'd served in a similar post at the PBS show "Finding Your Roots."
"I feel very fortunate to have been able to work on two very different but absolutely amazing shows within my first year post-grad," she says.
This year, “Last Week Tonight” beat TBS’ “Full Frontal With Samantha Bee,” CBS’ “The Late Late Show With James Corden” and “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” to take home the Emmy.
“Last Week Tonight” was nominated for nine Emmy awards year. It also won three Emmys at the Creative Arts Awards, held on Sept. 8
There are so many talented students here who are eager to collaborate on projects. The potential to create is unlimited.
Four facts about me:
1.) I came to UArts knowing exactly what I wanted to do, which was to become an editor. But during my time here, I've realized that I want to focus on writing and directing.
2.) The Film department is super receptive to the suggestions we have. We were able to set-up a film showcase that's become an ongoing event!
3.) I appreciate how we're pushed to develop our own artistic voice. Once you discover your voice, your work becomes so much more intentional and meaningful. It really makes a difference.
4.) I feel one of the most important elements of college is the connections you make. There are so many talented students here who are eager to collaborate on projects. The potential to create is unlimited.






Watch a highlight reel of student work
Student Spotlight: Reid Carrescia '12 (Film + Video)
Watch a clip from student work "Harvest," a story about the end of the world.
In the University of the Arts' Film program, you'll learn about every aspect of the business from active professional filmmakers, including an Oscar nominee and recipients of the National Endowment for the Arts, Guggenheim and Pew Foundation fellowships, whose work has been screened on PBS, at the Whitney Museum of American Art and at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and in festivals around the world.
Click the images below to read more.
Whether your medium is animation or digital video and film, the programs are dedicated to helping you bring your ideas to life. You'll work closely with award-winning faculty and other creative students to develop your skills, understand the rich history of your medium, and express your personal vision as you immerse yourself in a challenging and rewarding career.
At UArts, students have three ways to study film:
Film + Animation |
Film |
Film Design |
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Here are a few movies, TV shows, video games, and music videos our alumni have worked on.

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