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Film

New program offers diversity of skills

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Students can major or minor in film at Augustana College. Students will gain hands-on camera experience from the start in this film production program designed to incubate unique opportunities for students to create motion pictures, even before they declare the film major or minor.

In a new combined Department of Theatre and Film at Augustana, student filmmakers can expand and deepen their focus in their field, diversifying their skills, experiences and portfolios in ways a film-only program cannot provide. They can grow their perspective and creative thinking through innovative collaborations, and opportunities such as acting, directing and production design for both stage and screen.

→ See the winners of the latest Augustana Student Film Showcase!

Distinctions

  • Location: The Quad Cities is an ideal location for internships, and Illinois is the country’s sixth-largest film and media production location. The diverse social, cultural, architectural and natural settings of this metro area along the Mississippi River offer rich material for storytellers.
  • Facilities: The film production studio in Sorensen Hall includes an LED lighting grid, a dynamic set of backgrounds, ultra high definition (UHD) professional camcorders, and production equipment students can check out. Film students also will have a new iMac lab/classroom.
  • Augie Choice $2,000: Augustana invests in each student’s dream internship, cinematic project and/or study abroad. Filmmakers choose the experience that matters the most to their futures, including:
    • Travel abroad or to an industry hub such as Chicago, Hollywood, Atlanta or New York for a career-building internship.
    • Living expenses during a valuable local internship — including Fresh Films, the Emmy-nominated film studio based in the Quad Cities.
    • Supplies needed for a student’s Senior Inquiry production, such as special effects, costuming or set designs, hiring fees or other production resources.
  • The academic community: Students thrive in this liberal arts setting, encouraging the deeper questions that compel independent filmmakers. Augustana mentors give young creative minds the focus they need to grow and lead in the thrilling world of filmmaking.
Stacey Barton

Director of Film

Film artist Stacy Barton shot her first video in 1999, and her body of audiovisual work includes short and feature narrative fiction (“Red Pearl” 2016), documentary (“In the Heart of Chile” 2007), TV magazine (“Gumbo TV” 2004), 16mm experimental, video art and multimedia sculpture.

Barton has taught in higher education since 2004, having held positions at the University of Colorado Denver, the University of West Georgia and most recently Metropolitan State University of Denver. She is excited to help build a dynamic new program at Augustana.

News

Old Main

U.S. News recognizes Augustana for undergraduate teaching, best value

The 39th ranking edition from U.S. News & World Report evaluated nearly 1,500 colleges and universities on as many as 19 measures.

Students at graduation

Augustana announces new program to dramatically expand financial aid 

Augustana College has launched an innovative financial aid program — Augustana Possible — to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for qualifying newly enrolled students. 

A class in Hanson Hall

College plans new programs in health, film and new media

Three new areas of study are planned: a major in film and new media and two minors in integrative medicine and the humanities, and disability.

Chezum at film fest

Augustana student wins award at Cedar Rapids Independent Film Fest

Matthew Chezum ’25, from New Windsor, Ill., won the Student Audience Choice Eddy Award in the 2024 Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival (CRIFF).

Associate Professor Stacy Barton at the podium.

Augustana announces combined film and theatre department

VIDEO: The new film and theatre department allows students to expand and deepen their focus in their field, diversifying their skills, experiences and portfolios in ways a film-only program cannot provide. Learn about opportunities for acting, directing and production design for both stage and screen.

Old Main

Augustana’s Simonsen contributes to Emmy-winning documentary

Dr. Jane Simonsen, professor of history, was a contributor to the documentary “Jean Seberg: Actress Activist Icon,” winner of a Mid-America Emmy® Award in the historical documentary category.