Towson University Department of Electronic Media and Film

Join us for the The Japan Film Program, Saturday, July 18th, 1pm in the Towson University Art Lecture Hall, CA 2032. Co-presented with the Baltimore Kawasaki Sister City Committee and TU College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean’s Office.

Films hosted by and from the private collection of Reed Hessler, longtime host on WBJC.

Like Father Like Son (そして父になる,Sosh*te Chichi ni Naru )

A ten-minute standing ovation followed the premiere of Like Father Like Son at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Two couples—from different classes and with contrasting parenting styles—discover that their six-year-old sons were switched at birth and embark on journeys of soul-searching, impossible decisions, and coming to terms with the meaning of family. (color) Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. 120 minutes.

Free registration at:
https://www.bkscc.org/events/japan-film-program

In recognition of our 25th Anniversary and next year’s move into the newly renovated Smith Hall, Towson University’s Department of Electronic Media and Film (EMF) is excited to announce our rebrand to the Department of Film, Audio, Media Arts (FAMA).

If you are seeking us out on social media, be sure to search for us under our new social media handles. Our ListServ Google Group and private crew call pages will be updated as well. Updates will occur throughout July, so please excuse our construction dust as we rebrand our pages.

If you are already subscribed to these spaces, there is no need for you to make any changes, but if you want to promote us to friends, family, and prospective students, be sure to highlight our new name starting this coming July!

Instagram:
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Vimeo:

THIS WEEK! Join us for the Summer at the Center Q***r Film Festival!
Thursday, June 18, at 7 PM | Recital Hall
A dynamic celebration of LGBTQ+ storytelling, the Q***r Film Festival showcases powerful films from diverse voices across cultures and generations. From moving personal stories to bold, innovative shorts and documentaries, these films explore identity, love, resilience, and joy.

Join us for an engaging cinematic experience that sparks conversation, builds community, and highlights the creativity shaping q***r cinema today.

Reserve tickets at:
https://tickets.tuboxoffice.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=231

Shout out to recent Towson EMF graduate Zoe Hammel for participating as a video documentarian for the Pride of Baltimore II (), which embarked on a sailing between Baltimore, MD and Richmond, VA in honor of the USA’s 250th Anniversary. Follow their page to check out her Day in the Life guest crewing during their sailing!

Congratulations to TU EMF Professor Lynn Tomlinson, who was the recipient of the 2026 Baker Artist Portfolio’s $𝟰𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲, the largest prize in the region. Awardees also receive various exhibition and showcase opportunities at major Baltimore institutions, which includes the biennial Baker Artist Awards Exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Tomlinson is a 2022 recipient of the Mary Sawyers Baker prize winning portfolio.

Learn more at 𝗯𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁.𝗼𝗿𝗴/𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗲𝘀!

Join us for the The Japan Film Program, Saturday, June 20, 1pm in the Towson University Art Lecture Hall, CA 2032. Co-presented with the Baltimore Kawasaki Sister City Committee and TU College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean’s Office. All films hosted by and from the private collection of Reed Hessler, longtime host on WBJC.

Humanity and Paper Balloons (人情紙風船, Ninjo Kami Fusen)

This bold, 1937 historical anti-military melodrama is a gem of Japanese cinema. While following Edo-era slum residents—debilitated samurai, peasants, and petty merchants—and their struggles to survive, it exposes the hypocrisy and cruelty of high society. (black and white) Directed by Sadao Yamanaka. 82 minutes.

Free registration at:
https://www.bkscc.org/events/japan-film-program

Join the Center for Student Diversity and the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity for the June 13th Baltimore Pride Parade! Register via the QR code.

Join us for the Summer at the Center Q***r Film Festival!
Thursday, June 18, at 7 PM | Recital Hall
A dynamic celebration of LGBTQ+ storytelling, the Q***r Film Festival showcases powerful films from diverse voices across cultures and generations. From moving personal stories to bold, innovative shorts and documentaries, these films explore identity, love, resilience, and joy.

Join us for an engaging cinematic experience that sparks conversation, builds community, and highlights the creativity shaping q***r cinema today.

Reserve tickets at:
https://tickets.tuboxoffice.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=231

SEND US YOUR ANIMATIONS!!!
Call for Submissions is now open for the 2026 Sweaty Eyeballs Animation Festival.
https://filmfreeway.com/SweatyEyeballsAnimationFestival

Festival Dates - November 6-7, 2026
Falvey Hall Theatre, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, USA

Submission Deadlines:
Earlybird - June 28
Regular - July 31
Late - August 21

Long Live Cartoons!

EMF thanks Dr. Dave Reiss for his contributions to the university and extends congratulations to him on his retirement.

Dave is retiring as Associate Professor. After a successful career as a producer and editor in the Washington, D.C. television market working on documentary and broadcast projects, he returned to graduate school to pursue a Doctorate in Communication Design at the University of Baltimore.

Since joining Towson University, Reiss has focused on connecting media production with community engagement. Through his community-based video courses, students have produced more than sixty short documentary and promotional films for local nonprofit organizations, helping students develop professional skills while serving organizations throughout the Baltimore region.

During his 21 years at Towson, he has taught courses in video production, TV studio operations, post-production, and color correction. For much of his time in the department he has also served as Internship Coordinator, helping guide students from the classroom into professional media careers. Dr. Reiss continues to advocate for hands-on learning and evolving production tools, emphasizing that the craft of storytelling—and the relationships built through it—remain at the center of media education.

Our gratitude and best wishes go out to Dave Reiss.