The University of Iowa: UI Cinematic Arts Newsletter

Cinematic Arts

Dear Alum,

Welcome to our new alumni newsletter—we’re excited to share this updated format with you and hope you enjoy what’s inside!

My current term as department chair is coming to a close this year, and what a five years it has been! During this time, our department has nearly doubled its faculty, launched a highly successful BA in Screenwriting, and created a roster of exciting new courses in areas such as Visual Effects, TV Writing, Directing Actors, and Animation History. In addition to established groups like Bijou, we’ve seen the formation of new student organizations like the Cinematic Arts Student Org (CASO). Our calendars are packed with more events and guest speakers— including alumni like yourselves. You can view highlights from our 2024-25 events page.

Cinematic Arts received significant media attention this year. Our students, faculty, and programs continue to gain local recognition and beyond. Visit the news section on our website to read their latest accomplishments. I really can't remember a time when cinema at Iowa felt more vital and vibrant than it does now. Cinematic Arts is a department to watch in the coming years!

This spring, we graduated over 60 students and held a memorable graduation ceremony in the Old Capitol. These new students will now join your ranks as University of Iowa cinema alums, and we look forward to staying connected with all of you!

Until then, follow us on Instagram for the latest updates—and have a wonderful summer!

Michael Cowan
Professor of Film Studies
DEO, Department of Cinematic Arts
University of Iowa

CLAS cinematic arts faculty member celebrated as debut novel hits the big screen

“Nightbitch” is an adaption of Iowa alumna and assistant professor Rachel Yoder’s novel about a mother who finds herself turning into a dog. The film opened to acclaim in late 2024. Check out this review from the New York Times.

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods on the set of Heretic

Watch: Iowa grads share new film at their Quad Cities theatre

Directing and screenwriting partners Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who are behind the major motion picture A Quiet Place, say a class they took at Iowa about nonverbal communication continues to inspire their screenwriting.

CLAS cinematic arts associate professor helps students make connections in the screenwriting industry

Dean Bakopoulos, a faculty member and Writers Guild of America screenwriter, co-wrote the film adaptation of his first novel and is co-creator and executive producer of the HBO MAX series Made for Love. Now, he’s helping Hawkeyes break into the industry.

Patrick Wimp launches collaborative directing course bridging cinema and theatre

In his first year at Iowa, associate professor of instruction Patrick Wimp introduced a groundbreaking course connecting cinematic arts and theatre arts students through hands-on directing experience. The course gives film students the opportunity to work directly with actors, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and real-world storytelling skills.

Art work of hands typing on keyboard and writing on notepad

Iowa remains top-ranked public university for writing

The UI’s unmatched writing-related resources prepare Hawkeyes for success in many fields. This level of excellence positions Iowa as the best public university for writing and communication. Read how some graduates have used their writing skills post-graduation.

Film alum one of two CLAS graduates nominated for Grammy Awards

Cole Gaffney, who graduated with a degree in film and art in 2019, was a nominee for his collaboration as a sound engineer. The project was nominated in the Best-Spoken World Album category.

50 years later, Bijou still making film accessible to Hawkeyes

The Bijou Film Board has built a reputation as one of the premier student-run cinemas in the nation. The group has been partnering with FilmScene, a local non-profit cinema, since 2013 to assist with programming and operations.

Join the UI Book Club

Alumni and friends like you can sign up to receive alerts about upcoming books being featured in this free online program. The current selection is Martyr!, written by English faculty member and New York Times bestselling author Kaveh Akbar. There are opportunities for members to engage with Iowa authors electronically.

Share your story

Cinematic Arts graduates have used their degrees to forge many career paths. Learn about some of our graduates from the past 50 years and send us your updates by emailing michael-cowan@uiowa.edu.

Stay connected

No matter where you are, you're always a Hawkeye. Learn how you can stay connected to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Read the stories of fellow alumni and find out how you can volunteer and hire students. Please also update your contact information so we have your most recent mail and email address so we can stay in touch!