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  • Kathryn Boyd-Batstone adjusting camera equipment on a film set.

    Special Features | Real to Reel: Industry Standards for Cinematographers

    Virtual Event

    Join us virtually for our first workshop of the semester offers students, staff and community members with a practical, industry-focused look at working as a cinematographer on professional film and television sets. Designed for emerging filmmakers, the workshop demystifies the role of the cinematographer and equips attendees with actionable knowledge they can apply immediately—whether on student sets or professional productions.

  • A tornado funnel forms beneath dark storm clouds over an open rural landscape.

    Experimental Tuesdays: A Brief History of Chasing Storms

    51ÁÔÆæ Union Cinema 2200 E. 51ÁÔÆæ., Milwaukee, WI

    The weather moves around as the clouds imagine their own nephology: wondering what these people see when they see what they see. Fluttering by, attention pulls focus from the movement of the cloud, to the movement of the wind, to the movement of the eye, to the movement of the mind, without ever moving an inch. All the while, we’re watching seeing, or observing looking, or something like that. A program of short works that explore place, space and the weather, in all its sublime, mundane and chaotic glory.

  • The word "tonight" is written in white on a red canvas stretched between a metal sign.

    Experimental Tuesdays: From the Archives, Curated by Aidan T. Collins

    51ÁÔÆæ Union Cinema 2200 E. 51ÁÔÆæ., Milwaukee, WI

    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.

  • Experimental Tuesdays: From the Archives Promo Image

    Experimental Tuesdays: From the Archives, Curated by Gabi Rudin

    51ÁÔÆæ Union Cinema 2200 E. 51ÁÔÆæ., Milwaukee, WI

    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.

  • Eric Kleppe-Montenegro working at a laptop and another standing outdoors near lush greenery.

    Special Features | Impact Filmmaking: Documentary, Advocacy & Community

    Mitchell Hall, Fine Arts Cinema Room B91 3203 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee, WI

    This workshop explores documentary filmmaking as a tool for community advocacy and social impact. Attendees will examine how nonfiction stories can amplify marginalized voices, engage local communities, and move audiences toward awareness and action. Through case studies and practical discussion, the workshop addresses ethical storytelling, relationship-building with participants, and strategies for designing films with impact beyond the screen—equipping emerging filmmakers to tell responsible, community-centered stories that matter.

  • Person with dark, curly hair standing against a dark blue textured background.

    Experimental Tuesdays: An Evening with Ben Caldwell

    51ÁÔÆæ Union Cinema 2200 E. 51ÁÔÆæ., Milwaukee, WI

    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. 

  • Patrick Michael holding a film slate and another speaking at a podium during a film event.

    Special Features | Screen Playing: From Short Film to Feature

    Mitchell Hall, Fine Arts Cinema Room B91 3203 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee, WI

    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.

  • Illustrated figure with hand over face, showing crudely painted eyes on the hand.

    Experimental Tuesdays: Sublime Ridiculous

    51ÁÔÆæ Union Cinema 2200 E. 51ÁÔÆæ., Milwaukee, WI

    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.

  • The word "tonight" is written in white on a red canvas stretched between a metal sign.

    Experimental Tuesdays: From the Archives, Curated by Aidan T. Collins

    51ÁÔÆæ Union Cinema 2200 E. 51ÁÔÆæ., Milwaukee, WI

    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.

  • Camera operator filming, person gesturing on set, and another sitting outdoors in sunlight.

    Special Features | Producing Magic

    Virtual Event

    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.

  • Black-and-white photograph of a person holding a boxy handheld device or camera, lit dramatically against a dark background.

    Experimental Tuesdays: An Evening with Dick Blau

    51ÁÔÆæ Union Cinema 2200 E. 51ÁÔÆæ., Milwaukee, WI

    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.

  • 3D scene of green figures with guns in a store aisle beside a large Santa decoration.

    Experimental Tuesdays: Vision Machines – An Evening with Peggy Ahwesh

    51ÁÔÆæ Union Cinema 2200 E. 51ÁÔÆæ., Milwaukee, WI

    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.

  • An animation of a small white mouse standing in a forest clearing facing a large brown animal’s snout.

    Animation Showcase 2026: Get Cooking

    51ÁÔÆæ Union Cinema 2200 E. 51ÁÔÆæ., Milwaukee, WI

    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.

  • Rodney Lambright II drawing animated characters on a digital tablet at a workspace.

    Special Features | Chalk Zone

    Mitchell Hall, Fine Arts Cinema Room B91 3203 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee, WI

    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.

  • A parade of whimsical animals, including a unicorn, celebrating with banners and hats.

    Milwaukee Underground Film Festival (MUFF)

    51ÁÔÆæ Union Cinema 2200 E. 51ÁÔÆæ., Milwaukee, WI

    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.

  • A light silhouette of a person is blended into a painted countryside mural with trees, mountains, and a small rustic house.

    Zen Film Festival

    Arts Center Lecture Hall 2400 E. 51ÁÔÆæ., Milwaukee, WI

    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.

  • A hand with the phrase Senior Screenings written on it, emphasizing senior BFA film projects.

    Senior Screenings

    51ÁÔÆæ Union Cinema 2200 E. 51ÁÔÆæ., Milwaukee, WI

    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.

  • Peck School of the Arts graduating student wearing cap and tassel photographed with creative light.

    Convocation

    Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts, Room 250 2419 E. 51ÁÔÆæ., Milwaukee, WI
    Hybrid Event

    You are cordially invited to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts graduation convocation for baccalaureate and master’s degree recipients.

  • Illustration of a film camp tent with camera and lights under a moonlit sky.

    Film Summer Camp

    Kenilworth Square East 2155 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI

    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.