Screenings and festivals offer students the opportunity to experience both contemporary and historical works by American independent filmmakers and international artists. We also showcase work from our own artistic community, including students, faculty and alumni.
Immerse yourself in the magic of contemporary film art as you explore our venues, each designed to deliver an exceptional cinematic experience. From thought-provoking experimental film to captivating documentaries, our lineup is intentionally diverse. Join us to uncover new perspectives, discover your next favorite filmmaker and engage with our thriving film community. And if you can’t make it, you can always stop by and explore our unique Film Archive.
Upcoming Events
- Feb5February 5, 2026, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
- Feb10February 10, 2026, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
- Feb17February 17, 2026, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
UWM Union Cinema
Location: UWM Student Union, Second Floor | 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.
Hours: Visit the Union Cinema for hours and events
The UWM Union Cinema is a Milwaukee art house cinema showing international, domestic, documentary and experimental films during the academic year. This 350-seat venue boasts DCP, 16mm (Eastman model 25) and 35mm projection and is one of the first 23 theaters recognized nationally as a Sundance Institute Art House Project theater. The Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres hosts its film series, Experimental Tuesdays, Senior Project thesis screenings and special events in the Union Cinema.
Kenilworth Screening Room
Location: Kenilworth Square East | 2155 N. Prospect Ave.
Hours: During screenings or by appointment
The Kenilworth Screening Room is a flexible space used by the Department of Film, Video, Animation, & New Genres. Student filmmakers have exclusive access to the screening room, allowing them to analyze, critique and showcase their work in a comfortable environment. When used for courses, the screening room is an incubator for collaboration, fostering an environment where artistic visions come to life. Special events, including private screenings and guest lectures, are occasionally held in the screening room.
Fine Arts Cinema
Location: Mitchell Hall, Room B91 | 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.
Hours: During screenings or by appointment
The Fine Arts Cinema is an 85-seat cinema with HD video and professional 16mm film projection equipment. The Eastman 25, 16mm xenon-arc projector is a perfect match for the projection of new and archival film. Digital video and film are projected from a booth and through Luxar anti-reflective glass onto a Stewart Studiotek 100 screen. The cinema is used as an instructional space for courses and hosts special screenings from the Cinema Archive, in addition to supporting department programs, workshops and works by visiting artists.
Experimental Tuesdays
Free screenings of the most recent and celebrated experimental work in 35mm, 16mm and video. A standout venue for a parade of visiting filmmakers and touring programs, this series is hosted in partnership with UWM’s Union Cinema.
Festivals & Screenings
September 25, 2025, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm
Film Faculty & Staff Screenings
Experience a diverse range of cinematic visions, unique perspectives and cinematic artistry in this showcase of esteemed faculty and staff filmmakers from the Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres.
December 12, 2025–December 13, 2025
Graduating seniors showcase their exceptional work with the culmination of years of hard work and artistic growth. Get a first look at what the next generation of filmmakers has in store for the industry.
April 17, 2025–April 19, 2025
Milwaukee Underground Film Festival (MUFF)
Wildly popular and entirely student-run, this annual international film festival is dedicated to showcasing contemporary works of film and video that innovate in form, technique, and content.
April 23, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm
Animation Showcase 2026: Get Cooking
Programmed by senior student animators Stavros Hatzopoulos and Ava Brobst, this year’s edition features student work across all forms of storytelling. From digital to traditional, claymation to cutout, 2D to 3D, see what the next generation of animators and filmmakers are cooking.
May 9, 2025, 8:00 pm–10:00 pm
Join students of the Cinematic Arts MFA program as they screen and celebrate their thesis work.
May 13, 2025, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm
A collection of student made short films from the class Zen and the Art of Filmmaking, which focuses on developing the artistic sensibility through the Zen art of practice and surrealism principles.
May 14–May 16
Graduating seniors showcase their exceptional work with the culmination of years of hard work and artistic growth. Get a first look at what the next generation of filmmakers has in store for the industry.