Department of Television, Film, and Media Studies

Who we are and what we do

We offer an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Television, Film, & Media Studies. Students can also pursue a Master of Arts degree in Television, Film, & Media Studies or, jointly with the Department of Theatre and Dance, a Master of Fine Arts degree in Television, Film, & Theatre.

Join us!

Join us for student documentary screening at Hauser & Wirth

Join us at Hauser & Wirth Downtown Los Angeles for a screening of three student-directed short films, the culmination of the innovative Cal State LA course Community Impact Media. Featuring nonprofit organizations dedicated to transforming the socioeconomics and communities of South Los Angeles and those impacted by the juvenile justice system.

You're invited!

Saturday, May 4th, 2-4 p.m. PDT

Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles | 901 East 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Event is free but reserve your seat now!

About Community Impact Media
Community Impact Media, a shared project between the university and the gallery, provides neighboring youth with hands-on media making and storytelling mentorship toward the production of video projects written and directed by the student filmmakers. It not only encourages students to reimagine the role of filmmakers as neighbors and citizens committed to meaningful social change, but also illustrates each organization’s commitment to engage and develop a positive, lasting relationship with their shared LA community.

Photo: Sarah Golonka | smg Photography

Learn more

News

University Times Managing Editor Victoria Ivie, Editor-in-Chief Mia Alva and Advisor Julie Patel Liss accept the awards.

Journalism Students Win National Awards

The College Media Association's national Pinnacle Awards honored three Cal State LA Journalists for their work an event in Washington, D.C. on October 26. Stephanie Sical was awarded First Place for Best Arts & Entertainment Story for her story on the Lowrider Ladies of Los Angeles. The University Times placed second for Campus Engagement and Erik Adams received an Honorable Mention for Best Audio Sportscast, which hears from the National Hockey League fans in the San Gabriel Valley.

Photo: University Times Managing Editor Victoria Ivie, Editor-in-Chief Mia Alva and Advisor Julie Patel Liss accept the awards.

Lecturer Shaunelle Curry (left) with Dr. Phil McGraw (center) and Donna-Marie Reid, Creative Director on the set of "Dr. Phil."

Journalism lecturer featured on "Dr. Phil" show

Shaunelle Curry will be making her national television debut on the "Dr. Phil" show. Curry discusses the rise of victim mentality and the discussion of whether we are raising a generation of victims. The conversation also touched on victim culture among students on college campuses and an additional segment on that topic featuring Cal State LA students may appear in a future show.

Pictured above: Lecturer Shaunelle Curry (left) with Dr. Phil McGraw (center) and Donna-Marie Reid, Creative Director and CEO of Undeniable Films on the set of "Dr. Phil."

Erick Cabrera selected for The New York Times Corps

Journalism student joins new New York Times Corps

Cal State LA senior Erick Cabrera has been selected as an inaugural member of The New York Times Corps, a talent-pipeline program that pairs students with mentors at the news outlet. In his Tweet announcing the news, Cabrera recognized the head of Cal State LA's journalism program, Julie Patel Liss, and EdSource journalist Daniel Vasquez. Cabrera was among only 20 young journalists selected out of hundreds of applicants for the program.

Cal State LA's monthly radio news show debuts on KPFK 90.7 FM

"Cal State LA Community News Hour" launched this summer on KPFK 90.7 FM. The program airs monthly with a combination reporting, discussions and interviews largely produced by students who cover campus and the areas they live in. Episodes can be heard on the last Tuesday of the month at 3:00 p.m. You can listen to previous shows via the station's archive.

Cal State LA Journalism students earn LA Press Club awards

Our student media outlets were finalists in nine categories and placed in five at the LA Press Club's 64th SoCal Journalism Awards June 25. Class of 2021 graduates Jorge Garcia and Kilmer Salinas won 1st place in Best TV Reporting for "Eastsiders get help from YMCA during the pandemic." Community News editors Jathniel Coronado, Jerico Dancel, Briana Muñoz, Martha Nerio, Catherine Valdez won 2nd place in a professional news category, educational reporting for "Professors in Peril: Adjuncts in California Face Uncertainty and Financial Insecurity." Additional student media awards include:

2nd place: Best Of-Campus Feature Writing • Cal State LA's UT Community News, "South LA explosion, months later" by Xennia Hamilton
2nd place: Best Of-Campus Profile Writing • Cal State LA's UT Community News - "Accident that almost ended his life gave him a new one" by Stephanie Presz
3rd place: Best College News Site • Cal State LA's University Times & UT Community News

Lecturer Nidhin Patel (left) and Cal State LA President William Covino

TVFM Lecturer honored as WellBeingU Champion

TVFM faculty member Nidhin Patel was among three people named Cal State LA WellBeingU Champions for their outstanding dedication to creating a culture of caring and compassion at the university.

Patel, student Ashley Lepe and staff member Joanna Gaspar received certificates at an April 27 ceremony kicking off the WellBeingU Interview Series.

Fellow faculty members have benefitted from Patel's self-care guidance and instruction on supporting students by including trauma-informed pedagogy.

Pictured above: Lecturer Nidhin Patel (left) and Cal State LA President William Covino. Photo by: J. Emilio Flores

Cal State LA students' film 2022 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Finalist

"Peace of Mind"

Television, Film, & Media Center

The Television, Film, & Media Center is situated on the hill overlooking the northwest area of campus. This state of the art instructional and production facility provides student resources in all phases of media production and critical studies.