Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts

Our students become adept critical thinkers who have particular expertise in cinema history, film analysis, film theory and documentary practices; they enjoy a wide range of careers, including videographer, multimedia journalist, film director, production assistant and editor.

CU Boulder's Bachelor of Arts in cinema studies and moving image arts emphasizes the critical study of film as an art form. As a cinema studies major, you’ll explore a wide range of topics, including cinema history, film analysis, film theory and documentary practices. Students gain hands-on experience with courses in film and video production, screenwriting, producing, acting and directing, and animation, all with digital and analog options.

  • Become proficient and knowledgeable in film and the visual arts
  • Learn to critically study and analyze film
  • Gain an in-depth, hands-on education in the critical, historical and theoretical study of cinema, media and the visual arts

Learn from our distinguished faculty of scholars and working artists

The department supports two major regional film exhibition venues: The International Film Series and First Person Cinema

Learn with state-of-the-art systems and technology, including the latest editing software (such as Adobe Premiere Pro, AVID Media Composer and DaVinci Resolve); a greenscreen; Super 8, 16mm and 35mm cameras; a darkroom; and a RED Digital Cinema camera

Be successful.

Be prepared to meet the needs of our 21st-century society by applying your knowledge of cinema studies in the workforce.

 
$52,500

Median salary of CU Boulder cinema studies students 1–5 years after graduation

 

Videographer, multimedia journalist, film director, production assistant and editor are common jobs of our graduates working for TV and film production companies, film institutes, film festivals, entertainment companies, and in journalism and academia

 

Employment of film and video editors is projected to grow 14% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports

Academic Plan & Requirements

The BA is designed with two emphases that students choose between: critical study and production. In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required cinema studies core, each emphasis requires additional credit hours in support of BA requirements:

  • Critical study emphasis requires a minimum of 41 credit hours
  • Production emphasis requires a minimum of 45 credit hours

Additional degree option for cinema studies students includes:

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in cinema studies: This degree is intended for students interested in a career in filmmaking, in becoming an original independent filmmaker or students interested in a graduate degree in the field.

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience. Our department hosts a wide variety of artistic, academic and extracurricular programs to enhance students’ cinema-immersion experience.

Be inspired.

Graduates from the Department of Cinema Studies and Moving Image Arts have gone on to successful film careers across the globe, with numerous accolades ranging from Academy Award nominations, to Emmy awards, to one grad being one of the youngest filmmakers ever to join the Director’s Guild of America.

Some alumni of the program include:  

Mathew Budman

Film producer (Zero Dark Thirty, American Hustle, Detroit)

Danielle Gerber

Production executive, AMC Networks/AMC Studios

Alexis Martin Woodall

Television producer, Ryan Murphy Productions (Nip/Tuck, Glee, American Horror Story, The People vs. O.J. Simpson)

Eric Stough

Television and film producer and director (South Park, Team America: World Police)

Jennifer Wild

Associate professor of cinema studies, University of Southern California

News & Stories

College of Arts & Sciences magazine cover