AMPD Testimonials

My professors at York had a lasting impact on my creative practice as a picture editor and filmmaker. I even had the pleasure of their mentorship and feedback on Still Single, premiering at TIFF. Finding the balance between serving the vision of directors and producers, while being a constructive and tenacious creative force, was a balancing act to learn. The study of narrative structure that began in AMPD’s workshops gave me the skills to help find the 90-minute story in 300 hours of raw footage.

Pranay Noel (BFA ’20, MFA ’22)

Editor and Filmmaker, with work featured at TIFF in 2025

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

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

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

What I valued most about my time at AMPD was the culture with its vibrant passion for theatre arts coupled with inclusivity––where different voices and perspectives were not just welcomed but celebrated. The training—equal parts theory and hands-on practice—pushed me to think deeper, grapple with time management, and trust my instincts. My professors encouraged me to see storytelling as both an artistic calling and a responsibility, reminding me of the power it can hold. That foundation has guided my career and my creative path, shaping the kind of work I strive to make: authentic, inclusive, and transformative.

Stafford Arima (BA ’92)

Artistic Director, Theatre Calgary

York’s Digital Media program allows me to use my love of coding for both creative as well as practical applications, and so much more. I have not only been able to learn and develop new programming skills, but I have also used them to create games, websites and algorithms which I am proud of, as well as many different kinds of art, with beautiful designs, sounds and messages that have been inspired by the wonderful nature of this program.

Robert J. (Fourth-year Digital Media student)

I really love the flexibility and variety that Media Arts offers. It’s given me the chance to try out so many different things and figure out what I truly enjoy. As an international student, the transition to York was surprisingly easy. Everyone in AMPD is so inclusive and welcoming that it felt like home very quickly.

Xavier, Fourth-year Media Arts student

International Student – USA

I was about to accept my offer to NYU Tisch's acting conservatory (my former dream school) when my guidance counselor suggested applying to York University. The flexibility and autonomy that York's Theatre program offers are unparalleled! I've had opportunities to learn about producing, screen acting, playwriting and devised theatre, truly becoming a multidisciplinary artist. The moment I came for an on-campus visit, I had an instinctual feeling that York was the right place for me. Four years later, I can confirm that it's true.

Natasha Advani Thangkhiew

Current Student, Theatre