Cinema & Media Arts - Media Arts
BFA
Immerse yourself in the future of media creation with the Media Arts BFA. This innovative program blends hands-on practice with critical studies, covering interactive, immersive and mobile media arts. You’ll work with cutting-edge technology to create new storyworlds, developing skills in everything from VFX to sound design. With small classes and expert mentorship, this program empowers you to push the boundaries of storytelling and redefine media.
Program Overview
The Media Arts BFA is built around a series of Media Practice studio courses taken concurrently with courses in writing, media history, theory, and criticism, as well as innovative one-credit “technology knowledge (tech-know)” courses in software that provide flexibility for students to develop their own interests in a very wide and expansive media arts field. The program culminates in a capstone project and field placement in the media industries, preparing graduates for success in today's rapidly evolving media landscape.
Sample Courses
As a Media Arts student you can take courses like:
- Sonic Cinema
- Games and Media
- The Art of Animating
Career Possibilities
As a Media Arts student you can become:
- Social media content specialist
- Digital content manager in communications agency
- Visual Effects (VFX) artist
- Media producer
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Department
Cinema and Media Arts
Duration
4 years
Entry Options
Fall, Winter or Summer
Next Steps
We’re excited that you’re considering applying to York University's School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD). Check out our step-by-step guide to submitting an application.
Student & Alumni Testimonials
What I enjoy most about the screenwriting program is how hands-on it is. They really give us time to start with an idea and develop it. Through my courses, I even get to go from script to screen myself. It's cool to have both the script and the film in my hands.
Daniela Corallo
Second-year Screenwriting Student
I chose to come to AMPD because York offers the only university-level screenwriting program in the entire country. The networking opportunities here, combined with being located in Toronto—the hub of Canada's film industry—definitely played a key role in my decision to join this program.
Victoria Austin
Second-year Screenwriting Student
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
What I really love about this program is the network that you create with your classmates. From first year all the way to fourth year you're with a great group of students that you'll spend time with both in and outside of the classroom. As a Film student, I also really appreciate being able to take courses outside my own discipline.
Chifundo Thangata
Fourth-year Production student
International Student - Kenya
I wouldn’t be the filmmaker I am today without my time at York. It gave me a great balance of theoretical and practical training that made me a more well-rounded filmmaker.
Albert Shin, BFA 2006
The theory and fundamental skills I gained at York for creative movie-making through development and production prepared me for my career. I would suggest that students absorb the experience and learn by forcing mistakes, pushing the limits and networking. As one of my third-year professors said, ‘When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.’
Bill Bannerman (BFA ’83)
Executive Producer, known for The Twilight Saga, The Predator, Masters of the Universe and more.
One of my favourite things about the Screenwriting program is that you can connect with real filmmakers, people who are actually out there and doing what you want to do, so you can watch things that they have made, and hear directly from them about their process; it is just really helpful to know what it takes to make it, and to develop your own stories.
Oliver B
Current student - Screenwriting
I was able to screen the rough cuts in class and get feedback from my peers and professors, and if it weren't for the criticism and advice I received, the film wouldn't be what it is.
Abraham D
Current student - Production
I loved my time at the York film program and walked away with a great admiration for the faculty. My thesis documentary at the beginning of my career was my calling card. I sold the Canadian rights to the CBC and that is what afforded me to live until I landed a post-production job at CTV news.
Christa Dickenson (MFA ’93)
CEO of CPAC, the Cable Public Affairs Channel
My film education at York helped me prepare to work in this industry. In particular, the hands-on experience provided by Professor David Roebuck was invaluable and instilled a deep work ethic in me. Meet like-minded people and never stop dreaming!
Howard Barish (BFA ’83)
President/Executive Producer - Kandoo Films, an Oscar nominated, Emmy award-winning entertainment company
In my late 30s, I decided to get my Master’s in Film from York University. This allowed me to explore other creative ways of telling stories and share my experiences and knowledge with others as a professor.
Chris Romeike, CSC (MFA ’13)
Cinematographer for The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsals, premiered at TIFF in 2024
AMPD has everything—stimulating courses and excellent professors, support for our thesis projects, a stellar cohort, it’s a great place to do film.
Helen Lee (MFA ’24)
Director of Tenderness, premiered as part of TIFF’s Short Cuts program in 2024
Developing Measures for a Funeral in John Greyson's production course at York was a pivotal moment in my creative journey. The insightful guidance from both John and my supervisor, Brenda Longfellow, not only shaped the film but also deepened my understanding of the craft. Their support was instrumental in refining my vision and bringing the project to life.
Sofia Bohdanowicz (MFA ’19)
Director of Measures for a Funeral, premiered at TIFF in 2024
Program Highlights
Master classes with renowned visiting artists and theorists.
Access to state-of-the-art technologies that are defining new directions in screen and sound art.
Field placement opportunities.
Small class sizes, ranging from 25 students in first-year to 10-15 students in upper years.
Mentorship and guidance to develop your creative vision through diverse media.
More than 50 years of nurturing creative, bold and meaningful work by new generations of filmmakers and scholars!
Learning Outcomes
Share your story, find your vision, build the future
Building a Solid Foundation
- Build a solid foundation in Media Practice I & II studio classes, where students will be introduced to a wide range skills: camera work and image composition, sound recording and mixing, basic 2D animation and 3D asset creation, worldbuilding, screenwriting and interactive game writing essentials.
- Analyze and understand cinema and media in a cultural and economic context through courses that ground media practice in key theoretical concepts and histories
Acquire Specialized Training
- Acquire specialized training in Media Practice III and Fourth Year Projects through work on crews and collaborative team projects.
- Explore electives with hands-on experience using multiple creative technologies (motion capture, virtual cinematography, virtual environment design, interactive video platforms, spatial sound systems, 360VR domes and mixed reality headsets).
- Develop a capstone project and professionalization skills to launch your career in the media industries.
How to Apply
Get Ready to Apply
IMPORTANT DATES
Stay informed about all the key dates and deadlines for applying. Make sure to submit your application by the specified deadline to ensure guaranteed consideration. Note that some programs require a supplementary application, so be sure to check the deadlines for those as well.
TUITION, FEES & FUNDING
Tuition and Fees will be paid to York University. For information on Undergraduate Tuition and Fees, please see the Future Students Website. Entrance Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries are available each year to support your education.
REQUIREMENTS
Our programs are open to students directly from high school, those with previous post-secondary studies, international students, exchange students, and mature applicants.
Get in Touch
Reach out to us for more information on our programs, upcoming events, open houses, and applying to AMPD. We're here to assist you with any questions you may have and to help guide you through the application process.
