KU Film & Media Studies

The world has stories to tell. Through analysis and production, we explore who we are, where we've been, and where we're going.

350+

students

14,148

sq. ft. of Soundstage, Studio, and lab space

$1.8M

of production equipment

An instructor sits in front of a film camera while others look on

Our Faculty

Our world-class faculty inform the community with their research as well as lending their talents through production work. Many have been recognized in the industry through publications in prominent journals and through recognition and awards in the film community.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Our Students

Jordan Nevels has been a Jayhawk for life, growing up in Overland Park, KS, less than an hour from campus. Choosing Theatre Performance and Film/Media studies at KU, she has been exposed to a vast array of experiences that have opened her eyes to what could be to come.

Meet Jordan

A woman in black crouches outside a window.

Our Alumni

After graduating with a Film & Media Studies degree in 2018, Chloe Burns lived the film student dream of moving to Los Angeles and working in the industry. That is, until the pandemic brought the world to a halt. No industry was hit harder than film, leaving less-established workers in the dust.

See Why Chloe is a Hawk to Watch

Latest News

Wed, 06/05/2024

Kevin Willmott's new film shines light on KC civil rights figure

For his next project, Academy Award winner Kevin Willmott, KU professor of film & media studies, turns his camera on a Kansas City civil rights icon, Alvin Brooks, in a documentary about one of the city's first Black police officers and its first Black department head.

Tue, 01/30/2024

How an FMS director and an FMS actress explore the horror genre with short films

Equipped with imagination and a desire to create, a supportive group of fellow film students alongside director Olivia Herman and actor Maya Perez have worked together to produce various films during their time as University of Kansas students. ...

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Upcoming Events

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Explore Your Degree

We offer several options for your undergraduate or graduate studies, including Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of General Studies (BGS), Minor, Master of Arts (MA), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and Graduate Certificate.

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Become a Jayhawk

Join the KU Film & Media Studies Department

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Student Projects

Students work together to create a new musical arrangement of "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers.

John Dawkins – Vocals

Klaudia Manis – Drums

Prof. Brandon Draper – Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keys, Producer, Lead Engineer

Assistant Engineers – Jackson Goodrich, Bennett Doyle, Bryn Montierth, Carter Dalton, Erica Torres, Elian Figueroa, Denzel Garrett, Charles Kinzel, Matej Babic, Fayth Reeves

John McCluskey – Video Producer, Editor, Captions

Bennett Doyle – Director of Photography

Opportunities in FMS

A man sets up a light on a Soundstage while another watches.

Internships

FMS students are encouraged to get professional experience through internships. Besides improving your skills, the connections you make have the potential to lead to paid employment.