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Film

Undergraduate Programs

Film Studies BFA

As a student in Film Studies, you'll build the artistic and technical skills to tell engaging cinematic stories. Learn by doing and gain hands-on experience in all aspects of film, from cinematography and sound design to filming with digital and analog technologies. Over the course of your studies, you’ll forge lasting collaborations with your peers by creating a body of documentary, experimental, and scripted short films.

Degree Earned

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Program Format

Full time / 4 years


Curriculum


REQUIRED:

  • MPC 101 Visual Studies I
  • MPC 103 Art and the Classical Tradition
  • MPC 203 Art in the Modern World
  • MPF 106 Film Production: Silent Film
  • MPF 107 Introduction to Cinematography
  • MPF 206 Film Production: Sound Film
  • MPF 207 Introduction to Editing and Sound
  • MPF 290 Introduction to Film Studies

LIBERAL STUDIES:

REQUIRED:

  • MPC 125 Visual Studies II
  • MPC 225 Visual Studies III: Integrated Digital
  • MPF 322 Film Prod.- Directing for Camera
  • MPF 324 Writing for Film I
  • MPF 327 Film History and Criticism to 1960
  • MPF 422 Film Production
  • MPF 423 Film Technology III
  • MPF 427 Film History and Criticism since 1960

CORE ELECTIVE:

OPEN ELECTIVE:

REQUIRED:

CORE ELECTIVE:

OPEN ELECTIVE:

LIBERAL STUDIES:

REQUIRED:

CORE ELECTIVE:

OPEN ELECTIVE:

LIBERAL STUDIES:

Admission Requirements


Academic

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent with a minimum of six Grade 12 U or M courses including the following program specific requirements.

Typically, a minimum overall average of 70% establishes eligibility for admission consideration; subject to competition individual programs may require higher prerequisite grades and/or higher overall averages:

  • English/anglais (ENG4U/EAE4U preferred)
  • The minimum grade required in the subject prerequisite (normally in the 65-70% range) will be determined subject to competition.

Academic admission requirements for all other applicants are available at:
Admission Requirements.

  

Non-Academic

In addition to meeting competitive academic requirements, you are required to submit the following non-academic requirements. Your ability to follow and adhere to the requirements is part of the assessment of your application. 

 Your non-academic requirements are due by February 1, 2023 or 10 business days from your application submission date, whichever comes later.

The theme for this year is RECKONING. The theme is the subject or main idea in an artistic work that can be interpreted literally, broadly, or metaphorically.

Short Film/Video

Submit a short film/video up to 90 seconds in length (maximum), shot in any medium that addresses the theme/concept of "RECKONING" along with three examples of any visual work (photographs, drawings, paintings, computer-generated prints, or photos of sculptures or other artwork - please do not include still frames or screenshots captured from videos, etc.). The short film/video must illustrate the theme. The three examples of visual work do not need to illustrate the theme.

 Your video must be uploaded to “Vimeo.” When you have a Vimeo URL (e.g. https://vimeo.com/43927921 (external link, opens in new window) ) please paste the link, along with your three examples of visual work, into a single file (i.e. Microsoft Word document exported or saved as a .pdf) and upload the .pdf file in your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal. If you choose to use the privacy settings in Vimeo, there is a member subscription fee to do so. Please use the password "FILM2024". You can also choose to not use the privacy settings and not pay the Vimeo subscription fee.

Describe a dramatic event from your own life or the life of someone you know that you would like to turn into a short film. Be specific about the events and the characters in your story, though you may change the names and details if you like (up to 500 words / 2 typed pages). Do not submit a script. Also briefly describe why you feel it would make a good film (100 words maximum), and what role you would like to take on (producer, writer, director, cinematographer, editor, sound designer, production designer). This is a non-binding proposal. The School of Image Arts reserves the right to retain this project outline. 

Please save and upload your project outline as a .pdf file.

In the form of a short essay (up to 300 words), please answer the following questions:

  • What single film has most influenced you and why?
  • How has that film expanded your notion of what cinema can be?
  • How has the film impacted society and/or the art form of cinema?

This statement should reflect only the effort of the applicant.

 Please save and upload your written statement as a .pdf file.

Submit a current resumé outlining your education, work experience, related skills, interests and any special awards (not to exceed two pages).

 Please save and upload your resumé as a .pdf file.

The non-academic requirements assessment fee is $50 CDN and must be paid in order for your submission to be reviewed. Here’s how to pay:

  1. Access your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal account (instructions to access the portal can be found below under Submission Instructions).

  2. Click on the button to link to the eForms Centre.

    eForms Centre button highlighted in the applicant portal account
  3. Next, click on the eForms Center tile.

    eForms Center button highlighted in the bottom right corner of MyServiceHub.
  4. Then click on the Non-Academic Fee Form link.

    Non-academic Fee Form highlighted in the eForms Center page.

Applicants are required to submit all components of their non-academic requirements via the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal. Due to the volume of applications received and our system performance, we strongly encourage you to submit your documents well in advance of the noted deadlines.

Applicants unable to use the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal are required to contact the School of Image Arts at imagearts@torontomu.ca to discuss an alternate method of submission.

Here’s how to access your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal account:

  1. Get your TMU Student Number in the email acknowledgement of your application
  2. Activate your TMU Online Identity. Fill in the Activation Form on the Accounts website. When asked for your Student/Applicant ID, enter your nine-digit TMU Student Number. Keep a record of your user name and password
  3. 24 hours after activating your TMU Online Identity, visit the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal

If you are applying for readmission or reinstatement, you are not required to submit non-academic requirements. You must inform the program department of your intentions.

 Email the School of Image Arts at imagearts@torontomu.ca by February 1, 2024, or 10 business days from your application submission date (whichever comes later).


  

The home of Canada's film talent

As a film student, you'll be part of a thriving, collaborative community with an alumni network of film industry leaders. From directing and editing to cinematography, producing, and independent filmmaking, our alumni are making their mark on the industry. Start making the connections you need for a successful transition into professional film production.

  

Make Your Masterpiece

Take advantage of access to state-of-the-art, industry-grade equipment and facilities offered by Image Arts – including a suite of celluloid and digital cameras and lenses, sound stage, screening rooms, film processing lab, film editing suites, audio mixing facilities, and more. You’ll also get the opportunity to showcase your work at the Image Arts Film Festival, an annual student-run festival.



Student Work


You belong at
The Creative School

As an Image Arts student, you'll be part of The Creative School, a dynamic faculty offering 27 degree programs in media, design and creative industries. Through global experiences and transdisciplinary opportunities, our students emerge as some of the most in demand and employable graduates anywhere.

Ready to apply?