Find Academic Supervisors

Natasha MaidoffView profile

Assistant Professor

• Independent Filmmaking
• Screenwriting
• Directing
• +5 more

Natasha Maidoff is a faculty member at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) in the School of Filmmaking. She is an accomplished independent filmmaker whose work is featured in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Brooklyn Museum's Feminist Art Base. Prior to joining UNCSA, she served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at USC's School of Cinematic Arts, a University Lecturer at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, and a Visiting Assistant Professor at Ohio University's graduate film program. Maidoff's research interests focus on creative storytelling through film and multimedia installations that explore women's experiences, identity formation, and social issues. Her artistic approach emphasizes the transformation of personal insight into meaningful dialogue about life. She has developed a methodology she calls 'Creative DNA' that helps students locate their original voice, personal image system, and aesthetic. Her work often addresses pressing social concerns, particularly the opiate crisis in Appalachia, while incorporating experimental techniques and multimedia elements. Her filmography demonstrates consistent exploration of themes related to women's experiences, identity, and social commentary through experimental film techniques. Maidoff's work spans traditional filmmaking, multimedia installations, and live cinema, with a particular focus on how personal narratives can address broader social issues. Her approach combines technical proficiency with deep emotional resonance, creating works that have been recognized by major institutions worldwide. Public Collections, Museum of Modern Art Public Collections, Brooklyn Museum, Feminist Art Base A World Without Art, Guggenheim Museum UCLA's Spotlight Award, Academy of Motion Pictures Mellon Grant for Multi-media Performance Ohio University Creativity & Professional Activity Awards Finalist, Sundance Writer's Lab (twice) Director's Choice, Black Maria Film & Video Festival Maidoff has been represented by major agencies including CAA and Transatlantic Agency, and has developed several TV series. She has received artist residencies from prestigious institutions including Yaddo, Wexner Center for the Arts, and Virginia Center for Creative Arts. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes technical proficiency while encouraging students to develop their unique creative voices through risk-taking and exploration. She is actively involved in professional organizations including Women in Film, University Film and Video Association, and New York Women in Film & Television.

Axel RanischView profile

Visiting Professor

• Film Directing
• Artistic Film
• Visual Storytelling
• +4 more

Axel Ranisch serves as Graduate Director and Special Teaching Assistant for Moving Image/Artistic Film at Saarland University of Fine Arts' School of Media Art & Design since 2022, following a 2021 Visiting Professorship. An internationally recognized filmmaker, he bridges professional practice and academic instruction through courses spanning directing, visual storytelling, and artistic film development. His research focuses on sensory filmmaking techniques , particularly the intersection of auditory elements and visual narrative, German mumblecore traditions, and historical avant-garde adaptation. Workshops like Art of Intimacy and Dada, Trash and Expressionism explore these themes through hands-on experimentation with constrained environments and improvisational methods. Analysis of his creative output reveals consistent exploration of authentic human interaction across formats - from low-budget mumblecore features to television productions. His films demonstrate evolving technical mastery while maintaining focus on emotional truth, with recent works increasingly incorporating autobiographical elements and historical film movement techniques. Key recognitions include: Grimme Prize (2019) for Familie Lotzmann auf den Barrikades City of Hof Prize (2020) for contributions to German cinema International festival success with over 100 screenings for early works Ranisch's mentorship emphasizes collaborative development through structured project consulting, helping students navigate text-image relationships and actor-director communication. His current supervision of projects like PENROSE continues his commitment to supporting emerging filmmakers while maintaining active professional practice through Tatort episodes and radio collaborations. His laboratory of practice exists through immersive workshops that function as creative incubators, where students develop skills in constrained environments while exploring sensory storytelling techniques across multiple mediums.

Amber PriestleyView profile

Tutor

• Composition
• Sound Design
• Collaborative Performance
• +4 more

Amber Priestley serves as Visiting Tutor in Composition at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, specializing in collaborative intersections between music and theatre. Her practice employs open-form scores to deconstruct fixed temporal structures, emphasizing performer-composer dialogues where musicians simultaneously engage in theatrical and musical execution. Research focuses on experimental notation systems , visual score design , and material interactions between hand-drawn staves and symbolic markings. She treats paper as an active component in compositional processes, transforming scores into visual artifacts that directly influence performative interpretation. Recent works explore fluid temporal frameworks through collaborations with ensembles like Bozzini Quartet, London Sinfonietta, and EXAUDI. Priestley's current film project 21,000 miles of searching (funded by PRS Foundation's The Open Fund) represents her fixed-media debut, developed with filmmaker David Lefeber and musicians Mira Benjamin and Beavan Flanagan. Recent commissions include works for LCO Soloists and performances at hcmf// and Tectonics Festival, demonstrating consistent engagement with leading contemporary music ensembles.

• Documentary Film
• Anthropological Cinema
• Ethnomusicology
• +3 more

Julie Courel is an anthropological filmmaker and researcher based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, specializing in documentary cinema that explores rapidly transforming urban communities. Her academic work bridges visual arts and ethnography through film production and scholarly research on West African cultural practices. Her research interests span documentary film, anthropological cinema, ethnomusicology, urban studies, and food anthropology, with particular focus on preserving intangible cultural heritage. Key projects examine traditional balafon craftsmanship and Ouagadougou's street food economy, documenting how globalization impacts daily life in West African cities. Scientific Recognition: Bartok Prize for Ethnomusicology at the Jean Rouch International Film Festival (2008) for Je fabrique un balafon Courel's publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output through both academic publications and film works since 2007. Her methodology uniquely integrates cinematic practice with ethnographic research, producing multi-modal outputs that include films alongside written scholarship. Current information indicates no formal academic appointment at an institution, though she maintains active research and teaching in video production within her community context. Her work contributes significantly to visual anthropology through cinematic documentation of endangered cultural practices, particularly in Burkina Faso's urban environments where traditional and modern elements dynamically interact.

• Artist film & video
• Video installation
• Networked narratives
• +3 more

Lecturer in Fine Art & Graphic Design at the University of Salford's School of Arts, Media and Creative Technologies , Gary Peploe is an artist, designer, and curator directing the Interval research collective since 2005. His academic practice integrates creative production with pedagogical innovation through platforms like Loosecollective. Master's Degree in Creative Technologies (1997-1998) Bachelor's Degree in Interactive Arts (1994-1997) Research explores artist film & video , video installation , and networked narratives through urban ecologies and dual-screen dialogues. His 2018 Research Archive & Legacy project extends this focus to preservation frameworks, while works like Houndstooth II demonstrate immersive spatial video environments interrogating viewer-perception relationships. Exhibition trends reveal consistent international engagement across London, Berlin, Manchester, and South Africa, with 15+ outputs between 2002-2015 spanning digital artifacts, performances, and conference contributions. His practice emphasizes temporal constraints (e.g., one-minute films) and cross-cultural exchange, notably through One Minute Volume series curation. ZKM Award for media art innovation As Interval Director, Peploe creates symbiotic knowledge exchange platforms between industry, educators, and students, evidenced by the Costa del Salford model. His 2014 'Fast forward' research identifies disruptive opportunities for micro-enterprises in creative sectors, reflecting active industry engagement beyond traditional academic boundaries. Leading Interval's non-gallery exhibitions like 'Illumination' in Manchester, Peploe develops research environments centered on blacked-out spatial experiences and alumni collaboration, distinct from conventional laboratory structures.

Pavel ProkopicView profile

Lecturer

• Film performance
• Directing fiction
• Experimental film
• +8 more

Dr. Pavel Prokopic is a Lecturer at the University of Salford within the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technologies. He specializes in experimental film, directing fiction, and innovative filmmaking practices, with a particular focus on how technology can expand cinematic storytelling while maintaining emotional connection to the audience. His research interests span film performance, affect theory, film philosophy, cinematography, and the intersection of traditional filmmaking with new technologies. Dr. Prokopic leads two major research initiatives: Nested Cinema (www.nestedcinema.com) and the International Network of Experimental Fiction Filmmaking (www.ineff.org), and is affiliated with the Creative Technology Research Centre at Salford. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on immersive cinematic experiences, affective approaches to filmmaking, and the philosophical underpinnings of film as an art form. His work shows a progression from his AHRC-funded PhD research on 'Affective Cinema' toward increasingly sophisticated explorations of multi-platform storytelling, spatial cinema, and the integration of emerging technologies like VR with traditional filmmaking practices. His notable achievements include: Award in Creative Media Research from the International Journal of Creative Media Research Publications in prestigious journals including Leonardo (MIT Press) Exhibitions at the Grosvenor Gallery, Stephen Lawrence Gallery, and Victoria & Albert Museum Collaborations with BBC R&D and the British Council Dr. Prokopic actively supervises PhD students and has developed teaching approaches informed by his practice-based research. His Nested Cinema Co-creation project (2025) demonstrates his commitment to advancing female inclusion through immersive experience innovation and storytelling with students at the University of Salford.

• Community Media
• Public Broadcasting
• Digital Radio
• +4 more

Michael Huntsberger is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mass Communication at Linfield University, specializing in media studies with a focus on community media ecosystems. His research examines how participatory media contributes to democratic processes through projects spanning public broadcasting policy, digital radio technologies, and documentary production. Research interests include: Community radio and television systems Public media funding and policy frameworks HD radio and digital broadcasting transitions Documentary as a tool for civic engagement Journalism education and podcast pedagogy His publications demonstrate consistent focus on media infrastructure evolution, with recent work analyzing community media's role in fostering inclusivity. Earlier scholarship documented technological shifts in U.S. broadcasting through historical and regulatory lenses. Dr. Huntsberger has collaborated with students on multiple documentary projects and research publications, particularly in multimedia production. He has secured funding from organizations including the Erath Family Foundation and W.M. Keck Foundation for media research initiatives.

• Film Production
• Television Production
• Documentary Filmmaking
• +2 more

Elżbieta Protakiewicz is a distinguished Polish film professor, producer, and director affiliated with The Leon Schiller National Film School in Łódź. Born on July 15, 1948 in Warsaw, she has made significant contributions to Polish cinema and television over several decades. She graduated from the Institute of Theatre, Literature and Film Studies at the Faculty of Philology, University of Łódź in 1973, earned her PhD in Film Arts in 2000, completed her habilitation in film art in 2002, and was awarded the title of professor of film art in 2010. Protakiewicz has been associated with TVP (Polish Television) since 1973, where she served as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Film Department and Artistic Director of Channel 1 in 1986. Since 1988, she has been a faculty member at The Leon Schiller National Film School in Łódź, where she served as Dean from 2008 to 2016. Her research and creative interests span film production, television production, documentary filmmaking, theater production, and film education. She has directed numerous documentaries, theater productions, and outdoor performances throughout her career. Her recent works demonstrate a continued engagement with student film production and artistic supervision, reflecting her commitment to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers. Honorable Mention for the music program "Heart Burns Once" at the International Festival of Television Programs "Golden Antenna" in Blagoevgrad (1988) Main Prize in the category "Music and Entertainment Show with a Smile" for directing the program "Singing Pianos" at the 2nd Festival of Good Humor in Gdańsk (2001) Award of the President of the Management Board of TVP for directing the Christmas Eve "Concert in Lebanon" at the Polish Unit of the UN Peacekeeping Forces (2003) As an educator, Protakiewicz has supervised numerous student productions across various formats including school etudes, feature films, and documentary works. Her mentorship has shaped generations of Polish filmmakers through her role at the National Film School in Łódź. She continues to be an influential figure in Polish cinema education and production, maintaining an active role in both academic and professional film communities.

• Documentary Filmmaking
• Film Directing
• Social Issues
• +4 more

Mirosław Dembiński (born February 21, 1959 in Bydgoszcz) is a Professor of Art at the National Film School in Łódź, where he serves as a lecturer at the Film and Television Directing Department. He holds a PhD in Film Arts (2007) and a habilitated doctorate in film arts (2011), both from the National Film School in Łódź. His educational background includes a degree in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (1983) and a degree in Directing from the National Film School in Łódź (1990). Professor Dembiński's research focuses on documentary filmmaking, social issues, cultural representation, and Polish cinema. His work often explores human conditions, social dynamics, and cultural identity through the lens of documentary and educational film. He has developed a distinctive approach to film education, mentoring numerous students through their film projects while maintaining his own active production schedule. His methodology bridges theoretical knowledge with practical filmmaking experience, emphasizing both technical proficiency and thematic depth. His recent filmography demonstrates a continued engagement with diverse social themes, from mental health and communication disorders to urban life and economic challenges. His work shows a consistent interest in both Polish cultural identity and international perspectives, particularly evident in his 'Świat od świtu do zmierzchu' (The World from Dawn till Dusk) series that documented cities across multiple countries. The Greatest Optimist of the Decade Award at the 10th Optimistic Film Festival 'Multimedia Happy End' in Rzeszów (2012) Flisak Tofifest for an outstanding filmmaker associated with the Kuyavian-Pomeranian region at the 12th International Film Festival 'Tofifest' in Toruń (2014) Congratulatory letter from the President of the Republic of Poland (2006) Professor Dembiński has supervised numerous student film projects throughout his academic career, providing pedagogical guidance while encouraging creative exploration. His mentorship extends beyond technical film skills to encompass thematic depth and social relevance. He has also been involved in significant documentary projects both in Poland and internationally, including the 'Świat od świtu do zmierzchu' series that featured cities across multiple countries. His work demonstrates a commitment to both the art of filmmaking and its educational transmission, bridging professional practice with academic instruction in a way that enriches both domains.

• Film Direction
• Cinematography
• Television Series Production
• +3 more

Leszek Dawid (born March 6, 1971 in Kluczbork) is a Polish film director and academic currently serving as Dean of the National Film School in Łódź since 2024. He graduated from the Faculty of Film and Television Directing at the National Film School in Łódź in 2003 and earned his PhD in film and theatre arts from the same institution in 2024. As a member of the European Film Academy (EFA), he has established himself as a significant figure in contemporary Polish cinema. Dawid's research and creative interests focus on film direction, cinematography, television series production, documentary filmmaking, and film education. His work demonstrates a consistent engagement with narrative structure, character development, and visual storytelling techniques across various formats from feature films to television series and documentaries. His filmography shows a progression from student etudes in the late 1990s through to major feature films and television productions in the 2010s and 2020s. Notable works include 'Broad Peak' (2022), 'You Are God' (2012), and 'KI' (2011), which have received critical acclaim and numerous award nominations including Orzeł (Polish Film Award) nominations for Best Direction and Best Film. Orzeł (Polish Film Award) Nomination for Best Direction (2013) Orzeł (Polish Film Award) Nomination for Best Film (2013) Gdynia Film Festival Award for Directorial Debut (2012) Kraków International Independent Film Festival Main Award (2012) Cottbus Festival of Young Eastern European Cinema Award for Direction (2012) Throughout his career, Dawid has maintained a strong connection with film education, providing pedagogical supervision for numerous student etudes since 2003, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers while maintaining an active professional directing career.

Simon ConnorView profile

Lecturer

• Sound Design
• Composition
• Spatial Audio
• +4 more

Dr Simon Connor is a Lecturer in Music Technology at the University of Salford's School of Arts, Media and Creative Technologies, concurrently completing his PhD at the University of Huddersfield's Centre for Research in New Music (CeReNeM). His academic role bridges creative practice and scholarly research in sound design and composition for film and gallery installations. Connor's research focuses on the intersection of sound design and composition through field recordings, traditional instrumentation, and spatial audio technologies. His work investigates sonic approaches to landscape, environment, and place, with significant emphasis on multimodal artistic landscapes utilizing multi-screen projection and headtracked binaural audio systems. Key projects include the practice-based 'Oden' research and the documentary film 'Action Space'. Analysis of his 2018-2019 research outputs reveals consistent exploration of spatial audio techniques in environmental contexts, creative reuse of archival materials, and documentary sound design. Projects like 'Odin's Gully' demonstrate sophisticated integration of field recordings with audiovisual installation, while 'Action Space' examines sound design methodologies for low-budget documentary production. Connor leads undergraduate modules in 'Audio for Media' (Levels 5-6), the MA module 'Immersive & Interactive Sonic Experiences', and lectures on 'Studio Composition'. He actively seeks PhD candidates in sound design/media, spatial audio applications, and sonic landscape representation. He maintains strong industry connections through collaborations with We Are Willow collective and filmmakers like Huw Wahl, while contributing to the university's Creative Technology Research Centre. His work has been featured on BBC Radio 3 and exhibited internationally at CPH DOX, DOKU Arts Festival, FILAF, and ICA London.

LeAnn EricksonView profile

Professor

• Documentary Film
• Historical Film
• Interactive Media
• +2 more

LeAnn Erickson serves as Professor of film and video production in the Department of Film and Media Arts at Temple University, maintaining an active career as an independent media artist and filmmaker for over 30 years. Her work bridges academic instruction with professional creative practice in documentary filmmaking and interactive media development. Her research focuses on uncovering marginalized historical narratives through documentary film, particularly examining women's contributions in technological fields and community dynamics. Erickson's creative methodology emphasizes historical accuracy combined with accessible storytelling techniques, often targeting cross-generational audiences through multi-platform approaches including broadcast media, gallery installations, and digital applications. Erickson's filmography reveals consistent thematic threads exploring hidden histories and social structures, with increasing emphasis on interactive educational formats. Her recent projects demonstrate strategic evolution from traditional documentaries toward immersive media experiences designed to engage younger demographics while preserving historical rigor, particularly evident in the transition from her 2010 WWII documentary to the 2014 interactive bookapp adaptation.

• Film Studies
• Cinema History
• Animation Film Production
• +4 more

Pavel Skopal is an Associate Professor and Head of the Institute of Film and Audiovisual Culture at the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. His academic work focuses on film history, particularly Czech and Central European cinema, animation studies, and film exhibition practices throughout the 20th century. Skopal's research interests span multiple areas of film studies with particular emphasis on cinema during World War II, animation production history, and the spatial organization of film studios. His work examines how political contexts, particularly during occupation periods, influenced film production, distribution, and audience experiences. He has developed innovative approaches to studying film history through digital humanities methods, including web applications for visualizing cinema history. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on Czech animation history, particularly the Zlín/Kudlov film studios, with detailed examinations of production environments, labor conditions, and the social dynamics within animation studios. Skopal has also made significant contributions to understanding cinema-going practices during wartime occupation across multiple European cities. As Head of Department, Skopal oversees academic programs in film and audiovisual culture while maintaining active research collaborations across Europe. His work has resulted in numerous publications including scholarly articles, book chapters, professional books, and specialized databases documenting Czech film history.