The School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD)

Chris Romeike, CSC (MFA ’13)

Cinematographer for The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsals, premiered at TIFF in 2024

My time at York and the opportunity to experience a plethora of different theatre classes helped to cultivate respect and understanding about all the hard work that occurs behind the scenes. At AMPD, I had classes about costuming, lighting, and carpentry, and each class taught me new skills and gave me a new appreciation for the people who have made careers out of these skills.

Ellise Roth (BFA ’22)
Actor (Theatre and Film)  

As an international student, I feel that AMPD has a very welcoming community. Since my first year, I've learned things from screenwriting to film analysis to spending time on set. I like that I can choose what interests me.

Gabi Barros

Fourth-year Cinema & Media Arts student

International Student - Brazil

I had several amazing professors at AMPD who completely changed the way I think about cinema. But perhaps the greatest influence came from my peers. It still amazes me how many talented filmmakers I had the chance to go to school with.

Nicolás Pereda (BFA ’05, MFA ’07)

Director and Screenwriter with films shown at TIFF in both 2024 and 2025, Associate Professor in Film at UBC

What I valued most during my time in York’s undergraduate and graduate Theatre programs was the excellent mentorship I received from faculty who deeply shaped my path as a scholar, and the opportunity to engage with advanced courses in theatre and drama that challenged me to think critically and creatively about the field.

Benjamin Gillespie, PhD (BA ’09, MA ’10)

Assistant Professor of Theatre History and Performance Studies
Santa Clara University

I came to film school to find people to make work with. Almost twenty years since graduating, I still work with a large number of York alums. It’s no surprise, since this school tends to attract people seeking more radical ways to make films, and not just formulaic imitations.

Maya Bankovic (BFA ’07)

Award-Winning Cinematographer, with work featured at TIFF in both 2024 and 2025

When I studied at York University I wasn’t just studying performance or composition. I was studying everything and how they all connect together. Learning how to collaborate and appreciate all those different kinds of fine arts really did help me.

Dan Kanter (BFA ’07)

Musical Director and Producer for Justin Bieber

York University’s design program introduced me to design in all its forms—across industries and influential movements—while giving me the tools to hone my craft. It taught me to see design’s influence everywhere, from the smallest details to the largest cultural shifts. This program didn’t just shape my career—it sparked a love for design that continues to inspire me.

Angela Li (BDes ’17)

Product Designer at Dropbox, Airbnb, Facebook