An evening of films, videos and conversation with the legendary filmmaker, artist, community activist and educator Ben Caldwell. Caldwell is widely known for his role in the L.A. Rebellion and for founding KAOS Network, a media arts hub dedicated to Black artistry, fellowship, and love for over four decades.Â
This workshop guides filmmakers through the process of transforming a short film script into a feature-length screenplay. Focusing on character depth, narrative structure, and thematic expansion, students will explore how to grow a contained idea into a sustained, compelling story without losing its core. Through practical frameworks and development strategies, the session offers tools for reimagining scale, stakes, and arcs—helping writers envision their short film as the foundation for a feature.
A collection of shorts that shift from abject to exalted in the black between frames. In each of these films, the mire of life is dissolved and re-made by humor. And don't we need it.
Curated by MFA candidates from the Department of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres, these programs feature a unique opportunity to see some of the incredible 16mm prints from the 51ÁÔÆæ Cinema Arts Archive. For each program, the curator is invited to program a selection of films around a theme of their choosing.
This virtual workshop focuses on the producing and pre-production strategies that set short films up for creative and logistical success. Students will learn how to break down a script, build a realistic budget and schedule, assemble a strong team, and plan for production with intention. Emphasizing preparation, communication, and problem-solving, the session equips emerging filmmakers with practical tools to move from idea to set efficiently—maximizing limited resources while protecting the story.
Join archivist Shiraz Bhathena in conversation with Dick Blau to celebrate a major archiving and remastering project. Blau—a co-founder of the 51ÁÔÆæ Film Department, longtime professor and fixture of the Milwaukee art community—works across film, photography and video producing a varied body of work that includes psychological portraiture, experimental narrative, devised performance, ethnomusicology and the domestic.
Peggy Ahwesh’s wildly heterogeneous body of work—across moving image formats (from Pixelvision to machinima to super-8 and everywhere between), in installation and as object and through the ephemeral—engages with the political, the social, genre and identity in fascinatingly idiosyncratic, oneiric, visceral and rigorous ways.
The Animation Showcase returns to the Union Cinema for their 2026 series, featuring the latest and greatest from our Animation/Film students. 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.
This workshop offers emerging animators an industry-informed look at building a sustainable creative path beyond school. Through practical tips and real-world insight, students will explore animation workflows, professional expectations, and strategies for navigating freelance and studio environments. The session also centers on finding and refining your artistic voice—balancing personal expression with industry demands—while offering guidance on portfolios, networking, and post-graduation next steps for launching a career in animation.
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.
Join us for 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 automatic principles. These films are funny, odd, thoughtful, frightening, and most of all full of Zen.
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.
You are cordially invited to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts graduation convocation for baccalaureate and master’s degree recipients.
The Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres at 51ÁÔÆæ’s Peck School of the Arts welcomes young filmmakers to develop their skills at a week-long day camp this summer! This camp, with optional overnight accommodations, includes hands-on workshops and sessions led by practicing artists and professors, so participants gain knowledge from experienced professionals.