Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts

Our students become well-rounded scholars who are trained in the art of filmmaking and who go on to enjoy careers as videographers, multimedia journalists, film directors, production assistants and editors.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in cinema studies and moving image arts prepares students for a professional career in filmmaking. The BFA is intended for students interested in becoming a competitive, original independent filmmaker or students interested in a graduate degree. Our program allows students to develop an artistic approach to their filmmaking portfolio while acquiring the skills needed to make creative films and video works, and learning to analyze and interpret films critically.

  • Gain an in-depth, hands-on education in the critical, historical and theoretical study of cinema, media and the visual arts
  • Learn to critically study and analyze film
  • Develop an artistic filmmaking portfolio of work

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 advanced 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

 

Enter an industry with growth: Employment of film and video editors is projected to grow 14% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Academic Plan & Requirements

The BFA in cinema studies and moving images is competitive. To graduate with a BFA degree, students must satisfy a number of prerequisites and then submit a formal application to the BFA program at the prescribed time. Applicants must submit:

  • A written application
  • A writing sample
  • A sample film
  • A "best" example of creative work

And an additional degree option for cinema studies and moving image arts students: 

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in cinema studies and moving image arts: Students interested in film may consider our BA in cinema studies and moving image arts. Students learn a wide range of stylistic approaches to film, as well as what it means to be a creative, empathetic thinker.

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