About Radio-Television-Film
As a top-ranked film school, we believe in helping our students follow their dreams as they hone their media-related skills and interests and prepare for fulfilling careers. But as a small, nurturing program inside of a large, ever-evolving university set in a dynamic town that embraces creators, collaborators, and founders, we don’t stop at “film school.”
All students have access to an unusually broad range of resources for whatever path they decide to take – from media studies to immersive experiences to sports broadcasting to gaming – in Austin or on our campuses in New York or Los Angeles. Beyond the classroom, our students have access to UT’s unmatched athletics, thriving Greek life, and more than a thousand campus organizations to match any special interest or professional goal. And they all graduate with a strong foundation in production, media studies, and the business of entertainment, ready to achieve success on their own terms.
#2
Best Public Film School
1000+
Undergrad Students
160
Graduate Students
5
Degree Programs
Department Leadership
Brief History of the Department
In 1921, a radio station was established to conduct experimental work in radio communication, and by the 1930s what was probably the first television broadcast in Texas originated on this campus. This spawned an interest in an academic program in broadcasting. The first degree program in broadcasting began in 1939.
In 1965 the School of Journalism, the Department of Speech, and a newly formed Department of Radio-Television-Film became the three departments officially organized as the School of Communication. Construction of a three-building communication complex began in 1968, and the three Departments of Journalism, Radio-Television-Film and Speech Communication moved into new facilities in 1974.
In 1979, the School of Communication became the College of Communication. At official ceremonies in April 1982, the three buildings comprising the communication complex were named the Jesse H. Jones Communication Center in honor of Mr. Jones, founder of the Houston Endowment.
In the years since, the Department of Radio-Television-Film has continued to evolve to prepare graduates for the next frontier of media. Alumni have gone on to successful careers in directing, producing, talent management, screenwriting, digital asset management, teaching and more.
Notable alumni include:
Matthew McConaughey - actor, producer, director, philanthropist & professor
Glen Powell - actor, screenwriter & producer
Alison Eakle - chief content officer at Shondaland
Andrew Dismukes - sketch writer & actor on Saturday Night Live
Rachel Kondo - co-creator of FX’s Shōgun
Monique Walton - producer & winner of the 2024 Independent Spirit’s Producer Award for Sing Sing.
Kevin Shivers - Wasserman Managing Executive & EVP
Arturo Perez - co-director of the feature film Mean Girls (2024).
Ray Mansfield, producer & Academy Award/BAFTA/Golden Globe/PGA nominee
Patrick Schumacker - showrunner & of the Emmy Award-winner for Abbott Elementary
Jennifer Lane - Executive Producer & Emmy Award-winner for Queer Eye
Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 9 am-5 pm CT
Closed for UT holidays
Contact Us
Email: rtf-department@austin.utexas.edu
Phone: 512-471-4071
Main Office: CMA 6.120