Department of Film & Media Arts

AMPD cultivated a celebratory environment where we learned to value the process, through Finish Line, CineSiege, in-class screenings and discussions. That was one of the most valuable lessons in my eyes, learning to celebrate the work and the people around you along the way.

Heather Hedley (BFA ’26)
Canadian Screen Award winner, Achievement in Costume Design for Honey Bunch

My time at AMPD was filled with joy, learning opportunities, wonderful new friendships, and creativity. I had the chance to make films, which is what I truly love and cherish. The support from my teachers and my mentor, who always supported my enduring desire to write and create, meant a great deal to me. AMPD also provided me with everything I needed, both academically and equipment-wise. I loved my life at York and all the experiences I gained there. I grew as an artist and as a person, and that was the best part of it.

Samiramis Kia (BFA ’18)

My time at AMPD went beyond learning theory or skills, it gave me meaningful industry connections and experiences. The highly collaborative nature of working with other like-minded film production students was one of my highlights. The professors that I had the opportunity to learn from helped me realize that the path of becoming a director can be vastly different for everyone.

Alexander DeSouza (BFA ’18)
Film director, writer and co-founder
Former Assistant Editor on numerous features for CBC, ABC Disney, Crave, Paramount and Tubi

What I like most about the Integrative Arts program is the flexibility and freedom to explore different aspects of the arts in a contemporary way. I knew I wanted to study the arts, but I didn’t want to choose just one stream. This program lets me take classes across departments like Theatre, Visual Arts and Digital Media, which has helped me discover interests I wouldn’t have explored otherwise.

Psalm Domingo
Third-year Integrative Arts Student

What stands out for me from York was the attention and support we received as students. Our program created a safe space to experiment and develop our voices as filmmakers. That freedom to take risks and refine our perspective was formative, and it’s wonderful to see alumni from the program now spreading their wings in a big way. Read our feature on Jack’s journey.

Jack Weisman (BFA ’15)
Director, Cinematographer & Producer
Grand Jury Prize Winner, 2026 Sundance Film Festival

What stands out about my time at York is the relationships. We made many close friends that we continue to work with to this day. It’s important to work with collaborators you trust and who believe in your work, and those relationships can take years to develop. It becomes harder to form those bonds as you grow older. York was like this primordial soup where many of those initial creative connections began. Read our feature on Gabriela’s journey.

Gabriela Osio Vanden (BFA ’16)
Director, Cinematographer & Producer
Grand Jury Prize Winner, 2026 Sundance Film Festival

I love how the program balances hands-on learning with theory. As much as you’re writing and exploring ideas, you’re also refining technical skills and learning how to work behind the camera as part of a crew. We had opportunities to visit YUMMS at Cinespace Studios and talk to industry professionals and TV writers. It’s a very driven and collaborative environment where everyone wants you to succeed.

Daniela, third-year Film Production student

The media industries are constantly evolving, so you have to reinvent yourself to stay relevant. I credit the depth of my York education for giving me the perspective to understand new challenges and the agility to tackle them.

Michael Emberley (BFA Film Production, ’00)
Award-winning television editor

I love my program. It’s been amazing to explore so many different mediums and ways of creating. The community at AMPD is so friendly and creative, you just love being here. If you don’t want to be limited to one medium and you have ideas you want to bring to life, this is the place to do it. Whether you’re just starting out or already experienced, you’ll learn so much and have an amazing time.

Athena Philippou

Fourth-year Media Arts Student

While studying at AMPD, my film professor Tereza Barta once told me my script was terrible, and it was maybe the best thing she could have done. It helped me realize how important criticism is if you ever want your work to get better.

Dusty Mancinelli (BFA ’07)

Screenwriter, Director and Producer. Several films shown at TIFF, including a feature film in 2025, with work also featured at Sundance, Berlinale and BFI London, earning recognition and awards worldwide.

The people we met that have since become collaborators is undoubtedly the most valuable thing. We met our Director of Photography at AMPD, and he has shot every one of our films since we began working together. As a young filmmaker, I had no idea what my voice was or what I had to say that was at all interesting or unique. Professor John Greyson was instrumental in guiding me towards finding the stories inside me and exploring what I had that was distinctive.

Madeleine Sims-Fewer (BFA ’08)

Actor, Director and Screenwriter. Several films shown at TIFF, including a feature film in 2025, following recognition at festivals such as Sundance and Berlinale.

From amazing professors to the fellow classmates who I continue to collaborate with to this day, my experience and friendships at York have been very important in my journey.

Yong Zong (MFA ’18)

Editor and Filmmaker, with work featured at TIFF in 2025

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

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

At AMPD, I gained practical skills, fresh creative tools and the confidence to tell stories across different formats, which now shape the work I do. Aside from my desire to tell my stories, I was drawn to the program because of its small class sizes and the hands-on approach. I loved the idea of seeing my work evolve from script to screen and being part of that entire creative process.

Boris Licina (BFA ’25)

Creative Producer and Screenwriter

My time in York University's CMA program at AMPD was foundational to the way I work and collaborate today. I was drawn to the program because of its hands-on approach and the opportunity to explore a variety of paths within the film and media industry. From day one, I was surrounded by like-minded creatives who challenged and inspired me. One of the things I valued most was the chance to try on many different hats: writing for TV, directing fiction, cinematography, picture editing. Today, I approach filmmaking from a place of community building, and it's this program that taught me how to build and maintain strong professional relationships, something the film industry is built on. I’m especially grateful for the time and feedback my professors gave me on my work. Their encouragement allowed me the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them, which was crucial to my development.

Eric Bizzarri (BFA '17)

Co-Founder and CEO, Future of Film Showcase

The knowledge I gained in digital and interactive media was a huge asset for my current role. The Media Arts program offered a strong foundation in film, media studies, and production, while also letting us dive into areas that excited us. One of my favourite Media Arts experiences was shooting a 360 short film at the York U Motion Media Studio. It was my first time on set and a valuable learning experience. As production manager, I coordinated the shoot and team roles. It was an exciting experience that I was proud to lead.

Adina Brodkin (BFA ’22)

Digital Associate Producer at CBC

Through AMPD, I was able to get an internship and after that my career really exploded. I was hired by the producer of The Witch, and since then I’ve gone to TIFF premieres, walked the red carpet at Cannes, and met people like Sebastian Stan and Cate Blanchett. I’ve worked on movies like The Apprentice and explored many different parts of the film world. I couldn’t have done that without AMPD.

Taylor Crowley (BFA Film Production ’22)

Development Coordinator and Emerging Producer

I chose AMPD because York has the oldest film production program in Canada, so I knew I could trust the quality of the education and the resources offered throughout my four years. One of the biggest advantages is that our professors are deeply connected to the industry and are actively working in the field.

Kush, Fourth-year Production Student

As an undergraduate, I was able to watch films—and eventually tried my hand at making them. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was life changing. Then, as a graduate student, I was given the space to think more deeply about media arts and to make my film The Urge to Run a Lap. AMPD influenced how I think about filmmaking, and how to see images, myself and others.

Lesley Loksi Chan (BFA ‘08, MFA ‘18)

Canadian Artist and Filmmaker

Throughout my program, I found my AMPD peers to be exceptionally talented, collaborative and inspiring, and I had incredible support from the faculty, particularly my final semester adviser Carol Anna McBride, who constantly inspired us students to think we could leverage our creative skills to bring meaningful change once we stepped out into the world.

Bhabna Banerjee (BFA ‘20)

Production

In today’s ever-changing field of media arts, staying current with new technologies and methodologies is vital. My time at York emphasized not just the hard skills for the technology of today, but also helped me develop the ability to grow and adapt to the technology of tomorrow.

Alysa Collucci

Media Arts (BFA 2024)

The great thing about Integrative Arts is that it’s a multidisciplinary program, so I get to dive into every kind of medium – a little bit of film, 3D modelling, sculpting and more. I enjoy learning different art techniques, it's a great program for people who want to be well-rounded.

Nisha Selvarajah

Fourth-Year Integrative Arts Student

When I first looked into screenwriting programs in Canada, there weren't many options. So when I found AMPD, it really opened up possibilities for me. And of course, being in Toronto, it's easy to access studios and travel around. AMPD exceeded my expectations.

Tianna Reynolds

Second-Year Screenwriting Student

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

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

Christa Dickenson (MFA ’93)

CEO of CPAC, the Cable Public Affairs Channel

Howard Barish (BFA ’83)

President/Executive Producer - Kandoo Films, an Oscar nominated, Emmy award-winning entertainment company

Chris Romeike, CSC (MFA ’13)

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

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