Tenure-Track, Assistant Professor; Cinematic Arts & Theatre (Film Production)

The University of North Alabama’s Department of Cinematic Arts and Theatre invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor of Cinematic Arts and Theatre beginning in fall 2027 in the area of film production. This appointment is a nine-month position with full benefits. The department is particularly interested in candidates with demonstrated expertise in cinematography and/or post-production. Review of applications will begin immediately. For full consideration, applications must be received by November 1, 2026. Sponsorship is not available for this position. 

The University of North Alabama, situated in the historic city of Florence, is an integral part of the Shoals, a region renowned for its vibrant artistic community and rich cultural heritage. This region boasts deep roots in music history. Our faculty position in the arts offers an opportunity to engage with and contribute to this thriving creative community, where tradition and innovation create a dynamic and inspiring environment for both educators and students alike. 

The Department of Cinematic Arts and Theatre is a proud member of the UNA School of the Arts, alongside wonderful colleagues from the Departments of Music, Visual Arts & Design, and Entertainment Industry. Our department is home to the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival, Alabama’s longest-running film festival, which welcomes filmmakers from across the country and beyond. We are also part of the regular rotation of universities that host the statewide Walter Trumbauer High School Theatre Festival, which brings thousands of participants to campus.The department also maintains an active production culture, producing feature films and at least four main stage theatre productions each year, including a musical. Together, these opportunities reflect a vibrant creative environment in which students and faculty engage in ambitious work across both stage and screen.

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an active record of creative and/or scholarly work while demonstrating excellence in teaching and mentorship. Responsibilities include developing an ongoing agenda of research and/or creative activity appropriate to the field; contributing to student recruitment and retention efforts; attending faculty and departmental meetings; mentoring students within the program; participating in curriculum development and assessment; assisting with the stewardship of departmental equipment and facilities; and fostering a supportive learning environment. 

Responsibilities include teaching a 12-credit-hour course load per semester - courses include, but are not limited to the areas of cinema appreciation, screenwriting, cinematography, film production, video editing, and film directing; mentoring students and assisting with their academic and creative projects; collaborating with film and theatre faculty on experiential learning courses; providing on-set supervision for off-campus film projects, which may require flexible hours; attending faculty and departmental meetings; contributing to undergrad curriculum development; contributing to potential graduate-level courses and curriculum; managing department equipment and facilities with student equipment room workers; coordinating production management and safety supervision across film and theatre for departmental and student productions; performing recruiting activities for the department; assisting with the annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival; engaging in additional duties tailored to the candidate's strengths and departmental needs; and fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment among program students.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include proficiency in film production techniques, with demonstrated expertise in cinematography and/or post-production; understanding of non-linear editing systems and post-production software (Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, After Effects); familiarity with cinematography equipment (Sony, Canon, ARRI Alexa); and additional experience with creative media and AI technology and software (ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, RunwayML) is advantageous.

Minimum qualifications for this position include a terminal degree (MFA or PhD) in film production or a related field is required (ABD candidates may be considered but must have completed their degree by the start date of appointment); demonstrated experience in teaching film production disciplines; and a proven professional track record in film production.

Applicants must upload a cover letter, resume/CV, a portfolio or links to an online portfolio or film/creative media works for review at the time of application, as well as provide contact information (including email address) for at least three professional/academic references. Transcripts are also required.

Official transcripts for the highest degree attained will be required of the successful candidate, however unofficial copies are accepted for the application process. If any of your graduate hours in the relevant teaching discipline are taken from a degree(s) that is not your highest attained, a transcript of that degree(s) must also be submitted. Electronic copies, if available, of unofficial transcripts may be attached under the attachment headings of Unofficial Transcript 1, Unofficial Transcript 2, etc. Electronic copies of unofficial/official transcripts may also be requested to be sent to [email protected]. If electronic copies of transcripts are unavailable, hard copies must be sent to: Human Resources, One Harrison Plaza, UNA Box 5043, Florence, AL, 35632 or brought to 601 Cramer Way, Room 226. 

Official transcripts must be sent directly to HR from the issuing school via email or postal mail to be considered official. Transcripts with a designation of “Issued to Student”, or with the student name listed as the recipient will not be considered official. If you attended UNA, please click here to fill out an online, electronic transcript request form. Your transcripts will be delivered to HR and we will upload them to your application packet at no charge to you. 

For questions, please email [email protected] or call 256-765-4291 and select option #2. Selecting an option other than #2 will result in a delayed response. UNA is an equal opportunity employer. We seek a wide range of applicants for our positions so that our core values will be affirmed.