Film Studies and Creative Media Industries
BA
Explore the world of film and media through history, theory and criticism in the Film Studies and Creative Media Industries program. This BA program dives into film, television, gaming and social media, preparing you for careers in the fast-evolving media landscape. With hands-on placements at top organizations like TIFF, the National Film Board and film magazines, along with varied courses, you’ll gain the skills to thrive in areas like media producing, industry studies and marketing,.
Note: for Winter 2027 applicants only: the program name for the Film Studies and Creative Media Industries (BA) program will appear as Cinema & Media Arts (BA).
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.
Program Overview
Dive into the study of film, television and moving-image media. York University’s Film Studies and Creative Media Industries program examines cinema and media through historical, visual, technological, industrial, racial, sexual and aesthetic lenses, giving you a broad understanding of global cinematic cultures and diverse media practices.
Students conduct research, analyze films and media works and gain hands-on industry experience through placements with organizations such as TIFF, Hot Docs Festival, National Film Board of Canada, distribution companies, independent production companies, film magazines, archives and galleries.
Sample Courses
As a Film Studies and Creative Media Industries student you can take courses like:
- Studies in Genre: Horror
- Cinemas in Canada
- American Film and Television
- Japanese Cinema
- Making Media
- Games and Media
- Animation and New Media
Career Possibilities
As a Film Studies and Creative Media Industries student you can become:
- Film/Media Festival Programmer
- Film, Television or Media Producer
- Film and Archive Researcher
- Media Critic/Writer
- Cinema/Media Scholar
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Department
Film and Media Arts
Duration
4 years
Entry Options
Fall, Winter or Summer
Student & Alumni Testimonials
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
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
Program Highlights
Master classes with renowned visiting artists and theorists.
Field placements with a broad array of organizations, local film and media festivals.
Engaged learning in the areas of producing, marketing, media curating, videographic criticism and media journalism.
As skilled critical thinkers, students learn how to make sense of diverse cultural expressions that define the global cinema and media arts landscape.
Learn how to carry out high-level research that will help you to see, explore and interrogate trends in film and the media industries.
Learning Outcomes
Share your story, find your vision, build the future
Building a Solid Foundation
- Builds a solid foundation of key analytic concepts with Intro to Film Art.
- Acquaints students with the full spectrum of contemporary critical approaches to film and media including video essays, blogs and podcasts.
- Introduces global cinemas in relation to technological, cultural and economic contexts.
- Positions cinema as an education in global citizenship.
Determine your specialization
- Develops a comprehensive understanding of the multiple traditions and contexts of media production in Canada, including Indigenous cinema.
- Develops in depth engagement with digital cultures, genre and national cinemas through a diversity of specialized courses.
- Grounds students in the study of new and innovative directions in film and media practice and theory.
- Upper year students are provided with extensive opportunities for experiential learning with outreach into the film and television industry, field trips, internships and guest lectures, providing a doorway to a life of reflective and productive engagement in the industry.
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.
