Mike Gibisser (Associate Professor, FVANG; Director, Film Graduate Program; Co-Chair, Tech & Facilities Committee) has been recognized for his recent creative work by receiving the UWM Office of Research/Outstanding Creative Research Achievement Award.
The recognition follows Gibisser’s most recent film “A Common Sequence,” which debuted at Sundance in 2023 before having a successful run of festival screenings. The experimental documentary essay explores the question of where lines are drawn between the natural and non-natural.
“The film really becomes a question of how the line between what is considered natural and non-natural has been shifted throughout history to allow certain groups to exercise power,” said Gibisser.
The Creative Research Award is given biennially and recognizes UWM faculty for significant creative contributions to their field over the past three years.
Gibisser described “A Common Sequence” as a labor of creative research, as he and his collaborator Mary Helena Clark let the content of the film be driven by what they learned throughout the filmmaking process.
“This film is research-based and makes attempts, at least, at scholarship,” said Gibisser. “It feels important to me to highlight that intellectual, scholarly work can exist in artistic and creative forms.”
Peck School faculty and staff are consistently recognized at the annual awards, and this year Gibisser is the sole recipient from PSOA. He calls the honor “humbling” as he gets to serve as a reminder of how much talent exists in the arts at UWM.
“There’s so much brilliant creative work being done from the faculty and graduate students in my department, the Peck school, and our undergrads,” said Gibisser.
As an educator and filmmaker, Gibisser ensures that he helps students grow as young filmmakers. However, the exchange between Gibisser and his students is not one-sided, as he believes that they allow him to develop and improve his craft.
“Every time I enter into a discussion with students, they’re bringing ideas that I couldn’t have thought of myself,” said Gibisser. “It’s a privilege to continue to explore and study in a classroom with curious individuals. It’s a continuous practice and I love working with my students in order to continue to learn.”
Gibisser recognizes that the relationship he shapes in the classroom sets his students up for what they will witness should they enter the professional film world.
“One of the most exciting things about filmmaking is the joy of bringing together a set of collaborators that summon aspects to the film that you would never have been able to achieve yourself,” said Gibisser.
Gibisser accepted his award at a ceremony held on Oct. 9, 2024. To read the full list of recipients, visit UWM Report.
Story by Jason McCullum ’25