Film and Television

We teach collaborative filmmaking from day one at Columbia College Chicago. In the Film and Television Bachelor of Arts program, you’ll create thought-provoking and emotionally complex films with professional equipment and state-of-the-art production facilities.

As a Film and Television student, you’ll develop team-building, communication, and creative-planning skills that will enable you to lead teams in any creative setting. You’ll think analytically about the filmmaking process from concept development to screen, and learn to write, produce, direct, and edit effectively. Being well rounded will help you secure jobs in the independent and Hollywood film industry.

Degrees Available

Columbia College Chicago offers two similar options for film-related degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Film and Television and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Film and Television. The Film and Television BA might be the best choice for you if you want a broad overview of filmmaking or want to create more experimental work. The Film and Television BFA is about specialization: you'll select a concentration and focus your studies in one aspect of the filmmaking process.

View course requirements:

• Film and Television, BA
• Film and Television, BFA

In the Classroom

What to expect your first year

In the first semester of the Film and Television bachelor’s degree program, you’ll take two foundations courses: Cinema Storytelling, a course focused on developing stories and critical analysis, and Cinema and Television Production, a hands-on filmmaking course in which you’ll put theory to work by making films. You’ll spend much of your day learning, working, and building relationships with fellow filmmakers.

You’ll also have opportunities to work on sets of many of the high-quality films made at Columbia College Chicago each year. We encourage students at all levels to collaborate on projects, and we host meet-and-greets so you can seek out creative partners. Your instructors will provide the guidance and feedback you’ll need to create and improve your work. You’ll write, shoot, edit, and repeat to hone your craft as a filmmaker and build your portfolio and online presence. 

What to expect your last year

With the help of staff at the Career Center, many seniors develop a resume, web portfolio, reel, website, and strong social media presence. You’ll work on either advanced-level film projects within the department or commercial projects outside the college. You might also participate in the Semester in LA (SiLA) program, during which you’ll work on an active studio lot and intern with a West Coast production company. Senior year is the time for you to strengthen your connections within the film industry and enhance your employability.

Outside the Classroom

You’ll have endless opportunities to engage with Columbia College Chicago’s passionate film community. Here are a few examples of exciting events that take place outside the classroom:

• Advance Screenings: Watch independent and major studio releases in our own Film Row Cinema and around Chicago before they play in the theatres. 
• FrameWork: A series of student-produced video interviews that allow seniors and graduate students to talk about their filmmaking processes.
  
• Film Festivals: Chicago hosts several renowned film festivals. We encourage students to submit their films and volunteer.
• Volunteer opportunities: Students are invited to volunteer at the prestigious Chicago International Film Festival and other cultural events in Chicago.
• Cinema and television-related student organizations including the Columbia Horror Picture Show, Editors Guild of Columbia, The Experimental Film Society, and the Cult Cinema Club.

Semester in LA

Want to see what Hollywood is all about? As a Film and Television student, you can participate in Semester in LA (SiLA), an intensive semester-long course that puts you in touch with industry professionals and gives you unparalleled experience in the area of your choosing.

Visit the SiLA website for more information about this remarkable experience and the kinds of classes offered each semester.

Alumni

Columbia College Chicago has produced many successful alumni. These alumni find work in the industry right out of college, and some have won Oscars, Emmys, and Golden Globes.

Alumni highlights

Here is a small sample of our alumni success stories:

• Len Amato ’75 is president of HBO Films.
• Ayanna Floyd MFA ’98 was coexecutive producer for the TV shows Empire and Falling Skies, and has writing credits on episodes of Empire, The Chi, Falling Skies, and Private Practice.
• Janusz Kaminski ’87 is a two-time Academy Award-winning cinematographer, whose credits include Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, Lincoln, and The Post.
• Declan Quinn ’79 has film credits as a cinematographer and director of photography for Leaving Las Vegas, 28 Days, and My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.
• Christian Sprenger ’07 is the Emmy Award-winning cinematographer for the TV shows Atlanta, GLOW, Baskets, and Last Man on Earth.
• Lena Waithe ’06 is an Emmy Award-winning writer, actress, and producer of shows and films such as Dear White People, Bones, Master of None, and The Chi, and was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2018.
• Annick Wokan ’05 is an associate producer for the award-winning TV show Game of Thrones.

Read more profiles of Cinema and Television Arts alumni.

Creative Spaces and Facilities

Related Minors

• Acting
• Cinema and Television Studies
• Creative Writing
• Game Art
• Video Production
• Writing for Television

Faculty

Our faculty members are working professionals, filmmakers, documentarians, and editors who stay up-to-date with industry trends and teach them in the classroom. They’re dedicated to giving you a real-world education, and they’re great resources for jobs and references once you graduate.

View all department faculty.

Student Success at Columbia College Chicago

Cinema and Television Arts students are breaking the mould with their committment to digital storytelling, versatile production strategies, and strong industry connections. 

You can see more stories on what success looks like in Cinema and Television Arts here.