Summary

Job Summary

The Department of Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts at the University of Colorado at Boulder seeks to fill an Assistant Professor of Cinema Arts starting Fall of 2026.

The ideal candidate possesses strong conceptual, theoretical and technical understandings of the cinematic arts in narrative forms that can bridge areas such as classical, emerging, avant-garde, slow and transcendental cinema, Second Cinema and Third Cinema. Candidates must have strengths in technical aspects of creating narrative films, including directing, cinematography, editing, sound design, producing, and/or screenwriting.

We seek faculty who foster interdisciplinary collaboration across the broader arts and humanities, cultivating a critical, creative, and communicative practice to empower the students for the future, in alignment with CU Boulder’s Future State Goals within the College of Arts and Sciences’ Division of Arts and Humanities.

Crucially, this artistic practice must be paired with a notable record of success in the national and international film landscape, demonstrated by premieres at major festivals (e.g. Berlinale, Cannes, Sundance, TIFF, Slamdance, International Film Festival Rotterdam, SXSW, Viennale, etc.), significant critical acclaim, and/or experience with theatrical or streaming distribution. Candidates should address their creative research practice in the cover letter. A minimum of 3 years of university or college level teaching experience is required.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Department of Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts aspires to integrate the critical, historical and theoretical study of cinema, media, and the visual arts, with artistic, individual, and collaborative crew practices. Our program currently offers a BA degree in critical film studies, and BA, BFA, and MFA degrees in moving-image arts as well as a minor in Cinema Studies. Undergraduates in the critical and production tracks complete critical studies requirements including cinema history, film analysis, film theory, genres, documentary practices, directors, national and regional cinemas, the history of the avant-garde, etc. These courses are integrated with practice-led students; the mix of majors makes for a more engaging, deeper understanding of the subject of our studies. We sincerely believe that artists benefit the history, aesthetics, and theory of their medium, and that it strengthens critical thinking for the historian or critic to experience the technical and formal complexities of their object of study.

The Department of Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts also hosts a wide variety of artistic, academic and extracurricular programs to enhance our community’s experience with a rounded arts-immersion experience. Among these are the International Film Series, the First Person Cinema Program, the Brakhage Center for Media Arts, and our association with a range of film festivals around the region.

Responsibilities

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Teaching responsibilities (2/2 per year) will include core classes, new course development, teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate level, serving on undergraduate honors theses, graduate studio visits and thesis committees, and participating in departmental, college, and campus-wide service.

What You Should Know

This is a tenure-track position. The position undergoes tenure reappointment review and promotion according to a timeline followed by all faculty within the college of Arts & Sciences

What We Can Offer

$80,000-90,000 annual salary
Moving allowance may be available to the final candidate, in accordance with University Policy.
While applications from all are welcome, new H-1B visa sponsorships are not available for this position.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Significant filmmaking production experience (see job summary).
B.A or BFA in Film/Video or related field.
3 years of teaching experience at the university or college level.

What You Will Need

The successful candidate will be an active filmmaker with a visible, international record of cinematic practice. We are looking for faculty who can expand the narrative production practices in our department while being conversant in other modes of filmmaking such as experimental, non-fiction, or hybrid forms.

Special Instructions

To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials

Resume/CV
Cover Letter
PDF Sample of Work - should highlight your best completed film works with links (and passwords when relevant) for search committee to view in full
Statement of Teaching Philosophy
optional: Syllabus/Syllabi
optional: Statement Describing Research Related Goals

During the application process you will need to enter contact information for three references who will be contacted to provide letters of recommendation as the search progresses.

For consideration, please apply by January 12, 2026.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

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