Assistant Professor of Directing for Film and Television Job at The California S

Position: Assistant Professor of Directing for Film and Television

Effective Date: August 17, 2026 (Fall Semester)

Salary: The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary is $6,221 to $13,224 per month (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipated hiring range is $6,221 to $8,750 per month. Salary offered is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Deadline: Review of applications to begin on January 20, 2026. Position open until filled (or recruitment canceled).

California State University, Long Beach 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 distinct group of colleges and universities recognized for its commitment to Latino/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 to build capacity and promote inclusive servingness across initiatives. The President’s Equity and Change Commission is dedicated to achieving inclusive excellence in our community and culture and through the university. University Action Plans prioritize engaging all students; expanding access to higher education; promoting intellectual achievement; building community; and cultivating resilience.

Required Qualifications

• 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.


• 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).

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.


• Professional story development and screenwriting experience.


• Professional 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.

Duties

• Teach film and directing courses appropriate to the candidate’s specialty, education, and experience as well as departmental need including 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).


• 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, first-generation students, veterans, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and students with diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions. CSULB seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce reflecting our commitment to serve the People of California, maintain excellence, and offer students a rich variety of expertise, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

The Department of Cinematic Arts 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 area 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.