In the past 15 years, IU Cinema has distributed more than 366,000 individual tickets across 3,500 programs. We’ve welcomed hundreds of film workers, scholars, artists, and more. We’ve opened our auditorium to DJs, conferences, dance troupes and choirs, student film productions, and hundreds of campus and community partners. And, of course, we’ve been home to thousands of films representing the best of cinema from around the world and across time.
In that time, we've become not only a nationally and internationally recognized beacon of film culture and leader in cutting-edge programming, but we’ve happily become IU and Bloomington’s hometown arthouse cinema. And there’s no better way to celebrate that than with a year of special programming designed for our most vital asset: you! Key events include:
The Cinema has aways championed new independent filmmakers as vital torchbearers for the sustainability of the indie film ecosystem. This fall’s Jorgensen Guest Filmmaker programs honor those who paved the way with a visit from Julie Dash (in partnership with the Black Film Center & Archive)—an independent film legend and the first Black woman to have a film in wide release—combined with visits from exciting up-and-coming indie filmmakers Delaney Buffett and Ian Bell and Alex Megaro.
Our work has always been deeply informed by our campus’ intellectual and cultural legacy. From faculty to students to alum, programs like a celebration of Professor Joan Hawkins, a visit from IU alum and producer Mike Farah, a Jane Austen commemoration in conjunction with IU Libraries, and a regional premiere of the new Knives Out film with its acclaimed composer highlight the intellectual diversity and richness of cinema and media at IU.
Long gone are the days when film culture existed only on the coast. Today, the Midwest is more important than ever in independent film. Our spring visiting industry guests will highlight the impact of Midwest creative on film culture with visits from acclaimed actor and director Michael Shannon, producer Brett Neveu, and force-of-nature director Jennifer Reeder.
Join us on January 13, 2026 (our proper 15th birthday) for a celebration of all things IU Cinema and a secret screening! From now until January 12th, you’ll have as many chances as you’d like to try and guess the title. The first 15 people who guess the title correctly will each win an IU Cinema Golden Ticket, which will entitle them to free admission to any Cinema screening for the next 15 years.
Our summer series challenges our staff with picking 15 films from IU Cinema’s past catalog to screen. This promises to be one of our most fun—and most chaotic—series yet!
FULL LIST OF EVENTS (updated regularly!)
September 2025
Jorgensen Guest Filmmaker Series presents Julie Dash: legendary filmmaker Julie Dash will be at the Cinema with a screening of her landmark film Daughters of the Dust. A timeless story of a family coming to grips with both the past and the precarious present, Daughters of the Dust continues to inspire artists and audiences alike more than a quarter century after its original release. Presented in partnership with the Black Film Center & Archive.
October 2025
A celebration of Prof. Joan Hawkins: Prof. Hawkins was one of the Cinema’s earliest and most vocal advocates, and her scholarly contributions to our work have ranged from countless introductions and Q&As to shepherding one of our most beloved student-curated series, Underground. Join us—and some special guests—for a screening of Cuadecuc, Vampir (programmed by Prof. Hawkins) to celebrate her legacy and thank her for her dedication over the past 15 years.
November 2025
Roberta and S. James Sherman Inspiring Conversations presents Mike Farah: IU alum Mike Farah is a film and television producer and CEO of entertainment juggernaut Funny or Die. Mike will be on campus to meet with students who are planning their future careers in the entertainment industries and will also host a screening of his film Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, complete with a recorded introduction from musical legend “Weird” Al Yankovic.
Jorgensen Guest Filmmaker Series presents Delaney Buffett: A writer and director from Florida, Delaney’s directorial debut, the short film The Spring, won Best Documentary at the 2017 Toronto International Short Film Festival. She’s directed several other short documentaries and her narrative short—and her feature film debut Adult Best Friends—was an official selection of, and breakout hit from, the esteemed Tribeca Film Festival.
December 2025
Jorgensen Guest Filmmaker Series presents Ian Bell and Alex Megaro: Director Ian Bell and producer Alex Megaro will be on campus with their stunning feature WTO/99, an immersive archival documentary that reanimates the clash between the then-emerging World Trade Organization (WTO) and the more than 40,000 people who took to the streets of Seattle to protest them. A timely and resonating film that can’t be missed.
Jane Austen Celebration: In conjunction with IU Libraries, we’re showcasing a special celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday with a Pride & Prejudice program that highlights the deep connections between literature, cinema, and IU’s vast and vital archival holdings. Special content includes a Pride & Prejudice book giveaway, an exhibit of IU’s archival Austen holdings, and access to enough Austen in film to keep the most voracious bibliophile busy for months.
Regional Premiere of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery: beloved detective Benoit Blanc returns for his most dangerous case yet, and it must be seen to be believed! Thanks to our friends at Netflix, we’re thrilled to be the only theater in the area playing this film on the big screen and excited to welcome back the film’s acclaimed composer Nathan Johnson for a post-film Q&A!
January 2026
IU Cinema Birthday Bash: On January 13th, we’ll celebrate our 15th birthday in style with a special secret screening and more surprises!
March 2026 (more info coming soon!)
Jorgensen Guest Filmmaker Series presents Jennifer Reeder
Jorgensen Guest Filmmaker Series presents Michael Shannon and Brett Neveu
