Film Schools & Colleges in Canada

Capilano University
North Vancouver, BC
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Capilano’s School of Motion Picture Arts is dedicated to inspiring a new generation of independent Canadian filmmakers through the fostering and mentoring of emerging talent utilizing progressive learning environments and authentic production experience such that graduates make a valued contribution to the global media culture. Programs include Motion Picture Arts, 2D Animation & Visual Development, 3D Animation for Film & Games, Costuming for Stage and Screen, Digital Visual Effects (VFX), Documentary, and Indigenous Independent Digital Filmmaking.

Concordia University
Montreal, QC
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The Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema at Concordia University is the largest university-based center for the study of film animation, film production and film studies in Canada, admitting 250 students to their undergraduate and graduate programs. Students learn the techniques of animation, discover the technical and aesthetic practices of production, or delve deeper into the meaning of film.

Confederation College
Thunder Bay, ON
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For over 50 years, Confederation College’s film program, Conflix, has offered an intensive, hands-on 2-year curriculum designed to prepare students with the tools to succeed in the film industry. Students will prepare and direct 5 films and work as crew on limitless other productions over their two years, allowing them to sharpen their skills the best way possible, practical experience. Some of the courses covered include Producing, Directing, Cinematography, Script Writing, Advanced Editing & Digital Effects, Colour Correction/Grading, and Production Design. We are proud of our tradition in producing successful graduates including Trent Opaloch, the Cinematographer behind one of the highest-grossing films of all time, Avengers: End Game!

We own and supply professional film equipment directly to our students with 24/7 access. This includes cameras like the Arri Alexa (007 Skyfall), Arri Amira (Yellowstone), and lights including the Rosco Dash line with wireless colour and dimming control. You will also have 24/7 access to over 50 editing stations, 3 private editing suites, a professional colour correction room with 28 core Mac Pro, a full-size sound studio, music recording studio with ADR booth, professional make-up room, and our soon to be launched 4K theatre that film students can reserve to watch their favourite films or learn Sound Design and Mixing in a truly professional setting.

InFocus Film School
Vancouver, BC
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The age of two-hour powerpoint presentations is over. Our classes provide an interactive experience that includes theory, instructor-led demos, and follow-up assignments. Weekly labs solidify knowledge in a real-life setting.

Because no two students have the same aptitude, smaller class sizes allow us to provide more individualized training. In addition, a tutorial assistant is on hand every day to help students apply what they have learned in class.

In storytelling, we push our students to take risks. Film isn’t supposed to be safe or easily defined. It’s about developing a unique voice that avoids mainstream formulas. It’s also about taking artistic risks and seeing what unfolds.

Our mission is to provide a superior film education through accelerated, hands-on learning. InFocus instructors mentor students through multiple assignments that culminate in a polished student portfolio. We encourage students to grow as visual storytellers; to realize their personal artistic visions, and to maintain creative autonomy.

Langara College
Vancouver, BC
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Langara College Film Arts is an eight-month, intensive, collaborative, and comprehensive program for students wishing to work in today’s film industry as Actors, Writers, or Directors. The program runs from January through August. The development and inspiration for the Film Arts program grew out of Langara’s well known Theatre Arts/ Studio 58 program and its successful conservatory approach to training Actors and production personnel in theatre.

The Film Arts program offers post-accreditation certificates in three streams of study; Writing for the Screen, Acting for the Screen, and Directing for the Screen. Each certificate is a stand-alone program. Courses in film studies, film principles, and film practice overlap resulting in a creative and collaborative environment in which students will practice their skills with the other creators in each craft area. These overlapping courses are designed so students will develop a dynamic understanding of the film making process.

Red Deer Polytechnic
Red Deer, AB
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Unique to Canadian film schools, Red Deer’s Bachelor of Applied Motion Picture Arts offers intensive post-diploma training for college graduates and industry professionals. With an emphasis on dramatic narrative filmmaking, the program prepares you to tell your stories to the world through motion pictures. Choose to focus on your studies in one of two program streams: Production or Performance.

The 4th year can be taken anywhere — on a movie set in Toronto, New York or even Hollywood! The MPA program has received tremendous support from industry leaders, including the Alberta Film Commission, the Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association, the National Film Board of Canada, Global Television Network, CBC, ACTRA, IATSE, joe:Media Group, Mind’s Eye Pictures, Image Works Alberta Inc., Landmark Cinemas, Cresent Entertainment Ltd., White Iron Inc., Catalyst Distribution Inc., and many others.

Ryerson University
Toronto, ON
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Ryerson’s School of Image Arts is internationally recognized as a top undergraduate school offering specializations in film and photography with a balance of studio, lecture, and lab courses that include work in both fine arts and commercial production. Students in film studies develop documentary, fiction or experimental films and videos in each year of the four-year program. They gain skills in all aspects of filmmaking including writing, directing, cinematography, production design, and editing. Graduates have gone on to careers in producing, directing, editing, cinematography, as well as many of the craft positions that form the backbone of filmmaking.

Simon Fraser University
Vancouver, BC
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Film at Simon Fraser is an interdisciplinary program: along with rigorous technical training and instruction in cinema studies, you will deepen your understanding of other artistic disciplines. You’ll learn by making your own films and videos, working closely with local and global instructors and professionals. These relationships turn into long-term partnerships after school, leading many grads to produce prize-winning films.

Toronto Film School
Toronto, ON
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Toronto Film School offers accelerated diploma programs designed to prepare you for a career in acting, film production, graphic design and interactive media, and writing for film and TV. All on-campus programs are taught by industry professionals, approved under Ontario’s Private Career Colleges Act, and focus on real-world industry experience. You’ll study at an accelerated pace to adapt to an industry rhythm and earn your diploma in just 12-18 months.

University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC
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Theatre and Film at UBC offers a comprehensive range of degrees in the study of Theatre and Film including the option to study in an interdisciplinary environment with Creative Writing and other university disciplines. Developing students’ imaginative, technical, and intellectual skills equally as they prepare to embark on a career in theatre and related arts, is our objective. Courses provide students with core disciplines and knowledge of the diversity of aesthetic practices as well as practical experience. Our aim is to teach students in a liberal arts context preparing them for a wide range of careers in costume and set design, theatre production, acting, teaching, curating, filmmaking, writing, innovative research initiatives, arts administration and academic research.

University of Toronto
Toronto, ON
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Cinema Studies has been taught at the University of Toronto for over thirty years and we offer a wide range of courses that touch upon all aspects of the medium. The Cinema Studies Institute houses one of the largest undergraduate film programs in Canada but the classroom experience remains intimate. All large classes feature individual tutorials in addition to lectures, and upper-level courses are restricted in size to maximize student-instructor interaction. The stimulating learning environment fosters intellectual development at the same time that it helps students forge strong ties with their classmates.

A vibrant student culture is further promoted by the activities of the Cinema Studies Undergraduate Students’ Union (CINSSU) and the variety of exciting events that take place at Innis Town Hall and across the city of Toronto. With its impressive range of specialist film festivals, repertory cinemas, and the celebrated programming of TIFF Cinematheque, Toronto offers a unique environment of sophisticated film culture that complements the extensive library holdings within the University of Toronto Library system and its Media Commons. Cinema Studies at the University of Toronto provides its students with a challenging and satisfying learning experience in a program acknowledged to be one of Canada’s finest.

Vancouver Film School
Vancouver, BC
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Vancouver Film School’s programs encompass all areas of the film and television world, from the idea stage to post-production. In your chosen program, you’ll be supported by industry pros as you gain hands-on experience. You’ll create a portfolio or demo reel that showcases your capabilities to employers in Vancouver and globally. Program options include Acting for Film and Television, Film Production, Makeup Design for Film and Television, Sound Design for Visual Media, and Writing for Film, Television, and Games.

York University
Toronto, ON
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At York, we like to share our passion for the moving image. With 450 undergrad majors, 75 MFA, MA and PhD students, and thousands of non-majors enrolled in our courses, we have plenty of opportunities. Visit our site to learn more about our programs, whether our powerhouse undergraduate degrees or our renowned graduate program. You can check out the details of our course offerings, including our popular courses for non-majors. Then there are the international exchanges we are busy developing and the internships that have led to employment for many of our students. Our programs in the Fine Arts Summer Intensive offer even wider opportunities for learning.