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Assistant Professor of Directing for Film and Television

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Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Long Beach
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Faculty - Fine/Performing Arts, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB ) is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). CSULB earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2023, joining a distinctive group of colleges and universities who have been recognized for its commitment to Latine/x student success. CSULB is committed to serving diverse students and has established and actively supports the Black Excellence Collegium, dedicated to promoting Black excellence and advancing Black Student Success, and El Concilio for Latinx Success at the Beach, whose mission is to build capacity and promote inclusive servingness across initiatives and efforts for the benefit of all students. The President’s Equity and Change Commission is dedicated to achieving inclusive excellence in our community and culture and throughout the university. CSULB’s Beach 2030 University Action Plans prioritize engaging all students; expanding access to higher education; promoting intellectual achievement; building community; and cultivating resilience.

• MFA or appropriate terminal degree in directing, film, or related area or significant industry experience* . Degree at time of application or official notification of completion of the terminal degree by August 1, 2026. Significant industry experience as demonstrated by portfolio of work and C.V.
• Two years of experience at the college level teaching directing for film or television
• Demonstrated knowledge of directing and filmmaking-specific pedagogical approaches
• Documented experience directing a variety of professional work including but not limited to narrative feature films and episodic series
• Demonstrated potential for sustained growth and success in research, scholarly, and creative activities.
• Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with a diverse student population, including low socioeconomic and first-generation students

Significant Industry Experience*
Candidate with significant industry experience in the area of film or television directing must also have BA/BFA in film or related discipline. Significant experience shall include: narrative feature films or episodic work with at least one of the following: a) theatrical distribution, or b) streaming on major platform, or c) airing on network, or d) screening at top-tier film festival(s).

• At least three years of teaching scripted narrative directing at the college level
• Demonstrated professional experience as a director of short and feature length films, episodic/serial television, web series, music videos, or TV/internet spots
• Demonstrated professional story development and screenwriting experience
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with a diverse group of artists
• An emerging record of creative professional work that reflects and elevates characters from underrepresented groups
• An established record of mentorship, outreach, and/or engagement with young filmmakers (particularly from underrepresented groups)
• Experience with inter-departmental or interdisciplinary initiatives
• Service experience at the college level
• Experience with multiple modes of instruction (in-person, online, hybrid)
• Experience successfully working with populations demographically and/or socioeconomically similar to the CSULB student body
• Experience mentoring or supporting students using inclusive and culturally relevant teaching strategies in a diverse classroom

• Teach film and directing courses and appropriate to the candidate’s specialty, education, and experience as well as departmental need including, but not limited to, lower-division fundamental classes, Directing I, Directing II, Production Workshop I and II, and Story Development. (Mode of instruction may include in-person, hybrid, online, and/or any combination thereof.)
• Collaborate with faculty to develop curriculum and oversee the Directing curriculum
• Coordinate production classes to ensure consistent and equitable student experience
• Mentor and supervise students in the Directing program
• Develop and maintain ongoing research, scholarly, and creative activities
• Act as program liaison with industry professionals in the field
• Develop and sustain currency in the field of narrative filmmaking as a director
• Engage in program-related service activities such as recruitment and evaluation of lecturers, and programmatic review
• Coordinate and expand interdisciplinary initiatives and screening events with other departments on campus including study-abroad initiatives
• Mentor students and engage in outreach with student organizations and events
• Participate in service to the department, college, university, and community

CSULB seeks to recruit faculty who enthusiastically support the University’s strong commitment to the academic success of all our students, including students of color, students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, veterans, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and students of diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions. CSULB seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the People of California, to maintain the excellence of the University, and to offer our students a rich variety of expertise, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

The Department of Cinematic Arts at California State University, Long Beach invites applications for a Tenure Track Assistant Professor with professional expertise in narrative directing for film and television.

Cinematic Arts is committed to providing every student with the tools and platform necessary to grow in their chosen areas within the cinematic arts. Our program is designed around three pillars: critical and analytical thinking, written and visual storytelling, and production skills. At the heart of our program, we believe in the power of filmmaking and its impact on culture and technology. Through a blend of rigorous academic instruction and hands‑on production experience, we aim to develop the visual storytellers of tomorrow—those who will innovate, inspire, and contribute meaningfully to the cinematic arts landscape. The successful candidate will play a central role in strengthening the directing curriculum to reflect the principles stated above.

For more about Cinematic Arts at CSULB, see the department website here .

Information on the excellent benefits package available to CSULB faculty is located here: CSU Employee Benefits

• A Student Success Statement about your teaching or other experiences, successes, and challenges in working with a diverse student population (maximum two pages, single‑spaced). For further information and guidelines, please visit: Student Success Statement
• Letter of application addressing the required and preferred qualifications (maximum two pages, single‑spaced).
• Teaching Philosophy Statement (maximum two pages, single‑spaced).
• CV (include list of professional credits) About Your CV : Please provide link (listed on CV) to one (1) sample of professional work (maximum 5 minutes). YouTube or Vimeo preferred, either Password‑Free, or with link and Password clearly identified on your CV.
• Name and contact information for three references (to be contacted by CSULB to provide confidential letters of recommendation should you reach the semi‑finalist stage).

• Samples from two different professional works (Maximum 30 pages for written samples or 10 minutes for video samples).
• Statement of current and future creative or research plans (maximum 1 page, single‑spaced)
• Contact information for references, who may be contacted via phone/email

• Official transcript from institution awarding highest degree (e‑transcript preferred, if available).

Requests for information about the position and application process should be addressed to:

Cinematic Arts Directing Search Committee
California State University, Long Beach
Department of Cinematic Arts
ATTN: LaTanya Jones, Administrative Support Coordinator
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA

A background check (including a criminal records check and telephone reference check with most recent employer) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

Pursuant to the CSU Out of State Employment Policy, hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California is prohibited effective January 1, 2022. By prohibiting employment outside of California, the CSU also prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanently from a business location outside of the United States. Exceptions to the Policy are limited to approved and documented purposes for conducting CSU business outside of California.

All employees who assign and/or oversee work are responsible for ensuring that compliant work controls and procedures consistent with Federal, State and local regulations and University policies are implemented and maintained to provide for the protection of individuals and to safeguard the environment. Everyone is expected to comply with applicable Environmental Health and Safety regulations and University policies, programs and procedures. For more information, the systemwide policy can be found at and questions may be sent to .

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in‑person program or activity (on‑or off‑campus) operated or controlled by the University follow the COVID‑19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at and questions may be sent to .

All university program and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy, as well as state and federal law, CSULB provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. To access CSULB’s full statement on Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment, please visit Equity and Compliance .

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