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.
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.
15
229
Fall 2025 data
179
Fall 2025 data
70 +
News and announcements
New publication in ARTFORUM from Professor Michael Cowan
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Professor Michael Cowan has a new publication in ARTFORUM outlining the rich history of avant-garde filmmakers working in advertising, from the 1920s to more recent advertising work by the likes of Jean-Luc Godard and David Lynch. The article accompanies a major retrospective of avant-garde advertisements currently playing at Anthology Film Archives in New York.
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.