James Babanikos, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs - Professional Advising and Teaching Hub

Professor - Department of Media Production, Management, and Technology

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Babanikos has been working as a writer/director in video and film since 1984. He has received production grants from the Independent Television Service, the National Educational Telecommunication Association, the Florida Arts Council, as well as the National Film Board of Canada. His works include Portrait of an Actor (2017, 25:00, documentary), Fred Turns Fifty (2016, 20:00, comedy), Pillow Talk (2015, 12:00, drama); By The Way, Meet Vera Stark (2014, 11:00, drama); Coming Home (2013, 25:00, drama); Table for Two (2013, 15:00, drama); Make Believe (2012, 25:00, TV sit-com pilot); The Wedding Ring (2011, 15:00, drama), Somewhere Beyond (2009, 47:00, drama); Santa Rules (2007, 25:00, drama); A Second Chance (2004, 75:00, drama); Catherine’s Story (1999, 81:00, drama); The Science Directorate (1999, 6:00, corporate); Color My World: The Arts in Medicine (1998, 57:30, documentary); C.P. Cavafy: From Ithaca to Tarpon Springs (1996, 29:50, documentary); The Death of a Bachelor (1995, 25:00, drama); and Goodbye, Socrates (1992, 37:00, drama). Dr. Babanikos’ work has been screened in a number of national and international venues, and his projects have won many awards in various production competitions. Dr. Babanikos joined the faculty of Florida’s Department of Media Production, Management, and Technology in 1993 and teaches courses in the production sequence.

Areas of Expertise

Editing (visual/audio), Film/Video: Feature, Video and Film Production and Post-production

Education

Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin
M.A., Broadcasting and Film Production, University of Iowa
Bachelor, Mechanical Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada

News

• Ted Spiker Named UFCJC Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs (December 6, 2024)
• Six UFCJC Students Receive 2024 UF International Center Certificates of Outstanding Merit (November 22, 2024)
• James Babanikos to Step Down as UFCJC Associate Dean at the End of Fall 2024 Semester (September 9, 2024)
• James Babanikos Comments on the State of the Media Industry and Journalism Enrollment (July 13, 2023)
• UFCJC Students and Faculty Honored in 2023 BEA Festival of Media Arts Competition (March 2, 2023)
• All News About James Babanikos →

Research

Encoding practices of video and film production, media writing, and documentary theory and practice.

Research Keywords

Documentary theory and history, narrative strategies, film/video production

Research Areas

• Creative Production/Documentary/Visual Communication

Courses

Syllabi from the current and three previous semesters:

• RTV 4929C - Dramatic Production - section 15265 - Spring 2025 (PDF)
• RTV 4929C - Dramatic Production - section 17775 - Fall 2024 (PDF)
• MMC 4929C - Dramatic Production - section 16892 - Spring 2024 (PDF)