KU Film & Media Studies
Through a creative lens, we engage with the world around us to reach what matters most.
Film & Media Studies
350+
students
14,148
sq. ft. of Soundstage, Studio, and lab space
$1.8M
of production equipment
Our People
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.
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.
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.
Faculty Awards
Professor David Mai was awarded the Ned Fleming Trust Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2025. We're so grateful to have him in our department!
Latest News
Thu, 09/10/2026
The Film & Media Studies Department is hosting our Film Rally at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 on the FMS Sound Stage, Summerfield Hall Room 125. All FMS students are invited to attend. Our special guest, Sharon Liese, is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker for her work on "The Flagmakers". She recently directed "Seized", a documentary about the police raid on the Marion County Record and the death of its 98-year-old co-owner.
Thu, 03/26/2026
A 30-minute version of the documentary “Reclaiming Home: Remembering the Topeka Bottoms” premieres at 6 p.m. March 27, closing out the related exhibition at the University of Kansas Department of Visual Art’s Off-Site Art Space downtown.
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.
Ready to Apply?
Student Projects
KU senior George LaHood describes the process of creating a short film set in space using Unreal Engine. His capstone project, "Into the Fog", took technologies used on Avatar and The Mandalorian and successfully adapted them for a group of student filmmakers in Kansas.
Opportunities in FMS
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.
Student Clubs
Collaborate and expand your skillset by producing films with other students.
Study Abroad
Expand your community and learn about other cultures while getting college credit.