Why Iowa?

Iowa helped pioneer film studies—and today, you can hone your craft and find your voice in America’s best small city for the arts.

Turn creativity into storytelling

Advance your craft

Learn from experts

See yourself here

Experience the energy of Iowa City, where filmmakers, dreamers, and storytellers turn vision into art.

Write your story

Iowa’s cinematic arts programs prepare you to think critically, create boldly, and lead in a changing media world.

faculty helping student with VR

15

Full-time faculty
student in camera check out

229

Undergraduate cinema majors

Fall 2025 data

179

Undergraduate screenwriting majors

Fall 2025 data

screenwriting student in class workshopping

70 +

Courses taught
student in theatre discussing films

News and announcements

Dicharry to lead International Writing Program

Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Cate Dicharry, departmental administrator for Cinematic Arts, will become the program’s next director in January.

Remembering Lauren Rabinovitz

Wednesday, September 17, 2025
The Department of Cinematic Arts joins the many colleagues, students, friends, and family of Professor Lauren Rabinovitz in mourning her death while honoring her remarkably rich life and career.

Students front and center of new gameday commercial — and behind it, too

Wednesday, August 27, 2025
University of Iowa team taps into the skills of students to serve as consultants, create mixed media animation, and provide the voice-over for this year’s spot, “Iowa Feels Like Home.”

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