As of April 15, UNLV’s Department of Film is no more. The program has officially been renamed the School of Cinematic Arts, edging it one step closer to becoming a nationally ranked film school. That news might come as a surprise to anyone who hasn’t been following, but UNLV’s film program has never been stronger than it is right now. And it has the success stories to prove it.

The legendary director behind the film Hell or High Water is making Las Vegas his new home. With a career spanning more than three decades, David Mackenzie is bringing his talents to the UNLV School of Cinematic Arts.

Referred to now as the School of Cinematic Arts, the name change is meant to better describe the program’s mission.

Currently in post-production, Domino is a 20-minute narrative short that was developed, greenlit, cast and produced by students under Isaacs’ mentorship. The project includes a semester of developing a story idea and script, as well as a 13-week pre-production period followed by a six-day shoot, mirroring the professional filmmaking process from development through delivery.

UNLV's film school has a new name. The university's provost approved the renaming of the Department of Film into the School of Cinematic Arts, or UNLV CinArts. This change is meant to cover the full spectrum of creative and technical disciplines available for students. No changes will be made to the school's structure or administration.

There are a few key items UNLV assistant professor Thomas Bjelic doesn’t leave the house without: his keys, his wallet … and his microphone. A sound designer for more than 30 years, Bjelic has built a career on a lifetime of listening. He’s amassed hundreds of credits while working on blockbuster horror franchises like Saw, BBC sci-fi thrillers like Orphan Black and films for the father of body horror, David Cronenberg.

Founded to support fair representation for women in film and elevate historically marginalized voices, the festival continues to grow each year. In addition to film screenings, the event features panel discussions on topics like the state of Nevada’s film industry and the possibilities of generative AI, along with mixers, meetups, and the annual Femmy Awards.

Berenice Chavez, an editor on "Come See Me in the Good Light," credits Las Vegas and an UNLV professor with setting her on the path to an Academy Award nomination

UNLV’s Department of Film is celebrating the success of two alumni whose work has earned nominations at the 2026 Academy Awards. Berenice Chávez, a 2013 UNLV film graduate, served as editor on Come See Me in the Good Light, nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Tamiya Nadine, a 2023 UNLV film graduate, served as assistant art director on The Singers, nominated for Best Live Action Short Film.

The festival, organized in partnership with Women in Film Nevada and the UNLV Department of Film, aims to celebrate and support the fair representation of women in film and provide a platform for historically marginalized voices. The event will feature screenings, panels, mixers, and the annual Femmy Awards.

Back for its 12th year, the Nevada Women’s Film Festival returns to UNLV March 19-22. It includes 72 features, documentaries and shorts, both live-action and animated, directed by and starring a diverse array of inventive women filmmakers.

The festival is in partnership with Women in Film Nevada and the UNLV Department of Film.