Film Studies
Study the world's most influential and important films in our Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies program.
In our four-year bachelor's degree program, you will learn about the history, language, and theories relevant to film, television, music videos, graphic novels, screen-based installations, and curation. The program also includes production courses that cover various aspects of the filmmaking process.
You can also choose the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Film Studies (BA Hons) degree program, which is a good option if you want to continue your education by pursuing graduate studies.
Our program helps students discover their career path and prepares them for jobs as curators, educators, historians, and writers.
What is Film Studies?
The film studies program explores the art of film and media arts through analyzing history, theory, genres, and language. The program lets students focus their interests through core courses, seminars, and specialized readings while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills. These skills, along with interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of moving image cultures, will benefit students in their post-university careers in many fields.
Some film studies courses at the U of R include:
FILM 100 - The Art of Motion Pictures
An introduction to the art of motion pictures. The course will examine a representative selection of films covering the history of cinema and many of its basic aesthetic premises.
FILM 245 - Genre
Examines the origin, evolution, function, and theory of genres, including themes and styles.
FILM 254 - Documenting Reality
This course offers an overview of the documentary genre in film, television, and journalistic contexts. It will investigate the genre in terms of subject matter and style, historical origins, forms and conventions, and relationships to cultural contexts.
FILM 345 - Canadian Cinema
Examines Canadian cinema from early work of the National Film Board to present-day international feature co-productions. Treats the development of Quebec cinema and the films of many Canadian directors.
FILM 348 - Thinking About Film
The development of film theory and criticism from the silent period to the present. Major writings in silent film theory, montage theory, realism, auteurism, semiotics, psychoanalytic and spectatorship theories will be investigated.
FILM 380AJ - Traditions in Animation
This course will introduce aesthetics, modes of production, themes, audiences, and political developments in the history of animation with a focus on four traditions: Walt Disney, Japanese anime, the National Film Board of Canda, and Eastern Europe.
Quick Facts
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Film Studies Meet Your Faculty
Why Study Film Studies at the University of Regina?
One of the founders of the Department of Film was internationally recognized editor and Oscar winner, Jean Oser, who came to Regina in the 1970s to teach courses to aspiring filmmakers.
By studying at the U of R, you will benefit from small classes sizes which helps to ensure access to support and resources from faculty, staff, and advisors. You will also have access to opportunities to gain work experience. Some of these opportunities include our Professional Placement courses and Study Abroad program.
Experiential learning
Our Professional Placement courses allow students to gain skills through hands-on work experience with local art and culture organizations. The Living Skies Student Film Festival is another great opportunity for students to learn about curation and event management by running the annual festival, which features films from around the world.
The Department of Film and the Faculty of Media, Arts, and Performance have close connections to arts organizations including the Saskatchewan Filmpool Co-operative, the Dunlop Art Gallery, Queer City Cinema, Regina International Film Festival and Awards, the Yorkton Film Festival, and the MacKenzie Art Gallery.Study abroad
Pursue your education while exploring the world with our Study Abroad program! Students have spent a semester at universities in Ireland, England, Australia, and the United States. It is also common to share classes with students from outside Canada who are spending a semester at the U of R.Expert professors and instructors
Our faculty members are published authors whose writing focuses on film and media arts from around the world, and who work as curators of for film festivals, galleries, and cinematheques. Our faculty members share their knowledge learned from firsthand experience.Facilities
Students are required to take two film production courses but have the option of taking more if desired. The production equipment and facilities include:
- 4K and HD video cameras, advanced sound recorders, lighting, and grip gear
- 16mm film cameras, Steenbeck and optical printer
- Production studio with lighting grid and floor-to-ceiling green screen
- Digital editing suites (PC and MAC)
- Digital post-audio suite and voice booth
- Photography darkroom lab with 12 enlarger stations
- Animation classroom with 2D camera stations
- Stop motion animation production studio
- Classrooms equipped with the latest in digital projection and audio technology
Film Studies Frequently Asked Questions
Students in the honours program are required to take an additional 15 credit hours of film courses. Three of the additional film courses must be at the 300 or 400-level, and the remaining courses include an honours paper or project and a senior seminar.
The honours program has higher academic requirements. To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree, you must have an overall average of at least 70 per cent, and an average of at least 75 per cent in film and other required courses.
If you are interested in the honours program, you must consult with the Film Department and plan to enter before the start of your fourth year of studies.Yes! There are several scholarships and awards specifically for film students, which include:
- Access Communications/Fred Wagman Entrance Scholarship
- Faculty of MAP Entrance Scholarships in Film
- Jean Oser Prize in Film Studies
- Bourse Bernard Lavigne Scholarship in Media Production and Studies Award
- Duane Spencer Arnott Memorial Scholarship in Media Production and Studies
- Gene B. Ciuca Memorial Scholarships (Film)
- Larry Day Scholarship in Media Production & Studies
Use our online Student Awards Management System (SAMS) to find other awards and scholarships for which you may be eligible.
Additionally, there are employment opportunities, such as teaching assistants (TAs), who assist our faculty members in equipment rooms and with some of our courses.The Film Students' Association (FSA) provides community and organizes popular events like the 12-Hour Film Challenge and Gala Screening.
The Living Skies Student Film Festival is a student-run film festival that screens student films from around the world.
There are also many clubs and activities that all U of R students can join!What Can You Do with a Film Studies Degree?
Film studies graduates have landed roles within the arts, academia, executive leadership, and entrepreneurship.
To explore minors that may be available in this program area, please visit the Academic Calendar or meet with your faculty advisor in the Academic Advising Office after you are admitted.
Our graduates have gone on to jobs such as:- Film Festival Programmer
- Arts Administrator
- Professor or Instructor
- Archivist
- Film Critic
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