SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE DATE EXTENDED:
May 30th, 2026
2026 George Rouman Memorial Movie Theatre Scholarship Program.
Presented by: Cinema United Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc.
SCHOLARSHIP RULES 2026
This year a minimum of Four (4) $2500 scholarships will be awarded to qualified Cinema United Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc. (f/k/a NATO of WI/UP) member theatre employees. This program is open to seniors in high school and post-graduate students who are employed by a motion picture theatre in the state of Wisconsin or Upper Peninsula of Michigan which is a current member of Cinema United Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc. (f/k/a National Association of Theatre Owners of Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula of Michigan), as of January 1, 2026. Past recipients are NOT eligible.
HOW TO APPLY
1) Must plan to enroll or are currently enrolled in, as a full time or part time student in a college or vocational school for the upcoming year.
2) Send us your school transcripts (unofficial is acceptable).
3) Submit a letter of recommendation from your theatre manager on company letterhead.
4) Create Video Essay – Maximum limit 2 minutes 30 seconds, Minimum of 90 seconds. Incorporate how your theatre work experience will benefit your educational and career goals. Include video editing to drop in images of working at the theatre, school activities, volunteering.
5) Submit completed video on or before May 30, 2026, to: DROPBOX OPTION, click HERE for link.
6) Be sure to include your name, email address, contact phone number, theatre name and location.
GRADING PROCESS CATEGORIES
1. Overall Content
2. Creativity
3. Theatre Involvement
4. Community Service
5. Quality of Video Presentation
The required documents can be submitted by email to carol@cinemaunitedwium.com or regular USPS mail to:
Cinema United Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc.
N64 W24801 Main Street – Suite 104
Sussex, WI 53089
or
FAX: 262.532.0021
Please ensure that these documents are received in the Cinema United Wisconsin office no later than May 30, 2026. Your video essay submission WILL NOT be considered without these documents. Judging to begin June 1, 2026.
Winners will be selected and announced on or before June 15, 2026. Each applicant will be contacted with their results via email.
Any additional questions or concerns may be directed to Carol Brown at our scholarship headquarters: 262.532.0017 or carol@cinemaunitedwium.com
Click HERE to download/print the Scholarship Rules.
Interested in submitting an application? Click the button to get started!
About the Scholarship
.
In honor and memory of George Rouman, in recognition of his dedication to the movie theatre industry, and education. Our goal through this scholarship program is to provide assistance to students employed within our industry so they may further their education.
George was a natural leader and wanted to get involved in the motion picture industry. He served on the advisory board of the National Association of Theatre Owners (now known as Cinema United) for over 20 years. He served on the regional association, NATO of Wisconsin & Upper Peninsula (now known as Cinema United Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc.) Board of Directors since 2002 and served as President since 2016 until June 2024 where he died in a tragic car accident.
Cinema United is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 31,000 movie screens in all 50 states and more than 30,000 screens in 80 countries worldwide. Cinema United Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc., represent 650 screens and is one of fifteen regional affiliates.
This scholarship program is open to seniors in high school and post-graduate students who are employed by a motion picture theatre in the State of Wisconsin or Upper Peninsula of Michigan and who are a current member of Cinema United Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc. (f/k/a NATO of WI UP) as of the start of this program. Past recipients are not eligible.
Submit Information
The required documents can be submitted by email to carol@cinemaunitedwium.com or regular USPS mail to:
Cinema United Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc.
N64 W24801 Main Street – Suite 104
Sussex, WI 53089
or
FAX: 262.532.0021
Please ensure that these documents are received in the Cinema United Wisconsin office no later than May 30th, 2026. Your video essay submission WILL NOT be considered without these documents. Judging to begin June 1st, 2026.
Winners will be selected and announced on or before June 15, 2026. Each applicant will be contacted with their results via email.
Any additional questions or concerns may be directed to Carol Brown at our scholarship headquarters: 262.532.0017 or carol@cinemaunitedwium.com