Kiersten Houser

Kiersten Houser is an educator and multi-modal filmmaker with over a decade of experience in directing, producing, writing, cinematography, acting, marketing for film, and editing. Her work, which focuses on diverse, character-driven stories, has earned awards such as Best Experimental Film and Best Suspense Film, along with PBS NC’s Reel South Award, given annually to a standout North Carolina documentary filmmaker/project. In non-directorial roles as an Assistant Director (Pooja, Sir 2024), her work has screened at prominent, competitive international venues such as the 81st Venice International Film Festival.

In addition to her filmmaking, Houser has received recognition for her teaching, including Gaston County Schools’ Star Teacher Award and UNCW’s Teaching Assistantship Award. In 2023, she produced the first horror film anthology series for undergraduate students (FEARS Anthology), encouraging them to explore their personal and societal fears through filmmaking. The work continues in annual installments with students in her upper-level production courses. Her future work will focus on socially engaged horror films and documentaries addressing issues such as identity in the face of injustice.

Education:B.S., Secondary Education, Appalachian State University (2016)M.F.A., Filmmaking, University of North Carolina Wilmington (2023)
Courses Taught (*created/developed):

• Fundamentals of Video Production
• Intermediate Film Production
• Senior Capstone in Production: Narrative
• Production & Directing
• *Horror Production
• *Acting & Directing
• Introduction to Screenwriting