Film Studies

Develop the context for meaningful creation.

A student sits on a blanket on the floor in a darkened room with a green screen behind. A camera stands in the foreground, recording the scene.

When you  pursue film studies at Muhlenberg, you’re joining one of the largest liberal arts film and media programs in the United States. 

You’ll access unparalleled opportunities to write screenplays, produce videos and engage with both the theory and practice of film. Enjoy personalized attention from expert faculty as you examine the political significance of the moving image, explore cinema from diverse cultures, collaborate with top-tier student actors, and use our state-of-the-art equipment to master cinematography, sound, mise-en-scene and editing. 

No matter what kind of film you want to make or study, you can learn about it here. Courses cover everything from silent cinema to the latest festival hits, from Hollywood to Bollywood and from documentary to the avant-garde. We offer specialized courses in every facet of the filmmaking process, from pre-production to screenwriting, editing, directing and performance.

OUR ALUMNI

Hannah Mesouani ’11 Announced as 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Leader

Mesouani, the director of mission and equity consulting for the YWCA of McLean County, Illinois, is one of 100 participants from the United States who were selected for the program.

A college student sits against a wall lit with colorful lighting.

Opportunities With Impact

Engage with theory and practice in film and learn how to master state-of-the-art equipment. Experience every facet of the filmmaking process and widen your perspective by taking your studies overseas.

A college instructor demonstrates how to use film equipment to students in a film studio.

Our Faculty

Expert faculty who are invested in exploring cinema and experimenting with creation will encourage you to reach new heights of your own potential.

A man in a striped shirt looks off into the distance while walking outdoors.

Life After Muhlenberg

Our film studies students have gone on to pursue higher education at some of the best film programs in the country and have gone on to create inspiring and meaningful work in careers that span include the film industry, television, advertising and more.

FILM STUDIES AT MUHLENBERG

From the Source

A still image from a film where a man in an olive-colored shirt sits with his hand resting at his chin in a thoughtful expression.
A woman in a red dress speaks while pointing at a digital weather map.
A man in a pink shirt smiles at the camera while outdoors.
A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera with a city skyline in the distance.
A man in a striped, collared grey shirt looks into the distance while outdoors.

“For every filmmaker who’s making documentaries, [this award] is kind of like the holy grail. It feels like a career-changing moment for me as a filmmaker.” — David Romberg , Assistant Professor of Film Studies Read Romberg's Story

“I went through a process personally and professionally with Muhlenberg that allowed me to be the person that I am today. They encourage critical thinking. They encourage new ideas."” — Kathy Cruz '15 , WFMZ-TV 69 News Weather Anchor & Producer

“There were all these different classes that explored different art forms from different cultural vantage points over different periods of history [and] I was fortunate to sop up at Muhlenberg.” — John Bennett '15 , Ph.D. Film Student at University of Wisconsin-Madison Read Bennett's Story

“[At Muhlenberg] I fell in love with the process. I loved every aspect of it, but I literally lost [track of] time in the editing.” — Daniela Quiroz '10 , Film Editor Read Quiroz's Story

“The idea that we were able to tell a story that people connected with and felt was important enough to say it was deserving of this award … it doesn’t feel disposable.” — Joe Nash '07 , Emmy-Winning Producer Joe Nash Emmy

Muhlenberg Visions

Visions Journal

A journal of the Film Studies Senior Seminar Film Studies proceedings, Visions focuses on the advanced study of particular filmmakers, genres and forms, national or regional cinemas, film theory, or explorations of film and popular culture.

NEWS AT MUHLENBERG