The Institute develops new programs and supports some existing programs often in partnership with the School of Media Arts and in collaboration with other University entities and community organizations. Programs are developed to meet specific goals: To provide learning opportunities to enhance the academic program; bring industry professionals and emerging filmmakers together; support career development; sponsor research; serve the local filmmaking and film going communities; place a special focus on Latin American and Native American filmmaking; and serve community youth.
Programs initiated by the Institute include the Student Professional Development Support Program, which provides funds competitively to students for academically-related travel and to complete professional internships; the Professional Development Partnership Program, which co-sponsors programs with film organizations that promote professional development; and the Art and Business of Film and Television Learning Opportunities Program, which provides workshops and seminars for students, faculty, and community members. The Hanson Visiting Filmmakers Program brings to Tucson diverse media professionals for presentations, often in collaboration with community organizations.
Past film events and programs sponsored by the Institute include: Native Eyes Film Showcase; Tucson Cine Mexico; Lesbian Looks; I Drean in Widescreen; Arizona International Film Festival; Tucson Film Festival; Tucson Jewish Film Festival; American Film Institute (AFI) Project 20/20; and the NALIP(National Association of Latino Independent Producers) Latino Producers Academy™.
A combination of funding from the Hanson Film Institute, the College of Fine Arts, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and collaboration with community organizations has allowed prominent media professionals and scholars to be brought to Tucson and The University of Arizona campus for lectures, screenings, and student workshops. The University's School of Media Arts speaker series, including the Producer-in-Residence Guest Speaker Series and the Producing Colloquium, provide professionals who bring insight to various components of the media industry and media scholars who offer an academic perspective.
Speakers have included producers, directors, casting agents, entertainment lawyers, distributors, financiers, screenwriters, cinematographers, composers, and scholars. Past visitors include Pearl Bowser, Charles Burnett, Roger Corman, Kirby Dick, Chris Eyre, Carlos Gutierrez, Hal Hartley, Brian Levant, Stanley Nelson, Bill Plympton, Lisa Rinzler, Michael Speier, and Christine Vachon.
Some of the presentations by industry professionals on campus are open to the general public. For more information, see Happening Now
