Please note:

To view the Spring 2025 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2025/spring.

School for the Contemporary Arts | Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology Simon Fraser University Calendar | Summer 2025

Film Honours

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The bachelor of fine arts (BFA) with a major in film provides creative, technical and analytical studies within the school’s interdisciplinary setting. Film and video production courses emphasize the creation of original work and technical skills acquisition. Film courses familiarize students with the aesthetic and social issues surrounding contemporary film and video practice which are an integral part of the curriculum. Students augment the components of film and video through interdisciplinary studies and projects. Directed study courses are available for upper division students to work independently.

Students whose interest in film is related primarily to historical, critical, or theoretical aspects should see the Visual Culture and Performance Studies major program, leading to a bachelor of arts, and to the film and video studies minor.

Admission Requirements

Program and course admission is contingent upon University admission. Contact Student Services for admission procedures, requirements and deadlines. Entry to all programs and to many courses is by audition, interview or application. Contact the school’s office for information on procedures and deadlines or visit our website.

Although the University operates on a trimester system, most CA courses are planned in a two term (fall and spring) sequence. Consequently, students enter in the fall term (September) and are advised to contact the school in the preceding January for program entry and requirements information.

Students may apply for program admission after completing CA 231, normally at the end of the second year of study. Approval will be based on the student’s creative work and academic record in required lower division courses.

Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing

Unassigned or general elective (type 2 and 3, respectively) transfer credit awarded for courses completed at other recognized post-secondary institutions will not automatically entitle students to advanced standing in the school’s programs. Advanced standing is generally given on an individual basis as a result of an audition or interview.

About the School’s Course Offerings

Students are encouraged to take advantage of interdisciplinary offerings within the school. As many programs depend on a continuing sequence of courses completed in order, students should plan carefully to gain the maximum benefit and efficiency from their study. Note that not all courses are offered every term and several are offered on a rotational basis, i.e. every third or fourth term. An advisor is available to help plan study programs.

Students are reminded that the school is an interdisciplinary contemporary arts department, and are strongly advised to acquaint themselves with the many disciplinary courses that are available.

Special Topics Courses

The subject matter (and prerequisites) of special or selected topics courses vary by term.

Prior Approval Prerequisite

Where a prerequisite is, or includes, ‘prior approval,’ approval must be obtained before enrolling in the course. Contact the school for further information.

Program Requirements

Students complete SFU Honours Degree Requirements. See https://www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/fees-and-regulations/credentials-offered/definitions.html#honours.

Entry to all first year film production courses required for the major is by questionnaire and interview. Contact the school in early January prior to attendance at the University to request an information letter and questionnaire.

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete a minimum of 44 units including

Three core courses below:

CA 149 - Sound (3)
CA 186 - Art and the Moving Image (3)
CA 285 - Interdisciplinary Studio - Composition/Collaboration (3)

plus one additional CA history/theory course outside their major+

and all of

CA 130 - Fundamentals of Film (4)
CA 131 - Filmmaking I (4)
CA 136 - The History and Aesthetics of Cinema I (3)
CA 137 - The History and Aesthetics of Cinema II (3)
CA 230 - Filmmaking II (5)
CA 231 - Filmmaking III (5)
CA 233 - The Techniques of Film (2)

and one of*

CA 216 - Selected Topics in Cinema Studies (3) ***
CA 235 - Experimental Film and Video (3)
CA 236 - Cinema in Canada (3) ++

and one of

CA 232 - Film Sound (3)
CA 238W - Screenwriting I (3)

* with prior approval, students may substitute lower division courses from other departments devoted to a film or video topic to fulfill this requirement

*** may be repeated under another topic

+ See advisor for course options.

++ highly recommended

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete a minimum of 48 units including twelve units from*

CA 316 - Intermediate Selected Topics in Cinema Studies (4) ***
CA 318 - Theory and Cinema (4) **
CA 416 - Advanced Seminar in Cinema Studies (4) ***

and a minimum of 17 units chosen from+

CA 332 - Film Production Seminar (3)
CA 334 - Selected Topics in Film and Video Production (3)
CA 338W - Screenwriting II (3)
CA 339 - Directing and Acting for Film and Video (3)
CA 386 - Film Music: An Overview of the Relationship between Music and Moving Pictures (3)
CA 390 - Filmmaking IV (4)
CA 393 - Filmmaking V (4)
CA 430 - Filmmaking VI (6)
CA 432 - Filmmaking VII (6)

and one of

CA 312 - Selected Topics in Contemporary Arts (3)
CA 314 - Readings in the History of Art, Performance and Cinema (3)
CA 414 - Advanced Topic in the History of Art, Performance and Cinema (3)

or another upper division CA history/theory or critical course outside the major

and the remaining required units chosen from CA upper division courses (placement in courses is based on prerequisites and/or permission of the instructor). See advisor for course options.

* with prior approval, students may substitute upper division courses devoted to a film or video studies topic in other departments, or in directed study in film studies, to fulfil this requirement

** recommended

*** may be repeated under another topic

+ with prior permission, a directed study course (CA 400, 402 or 404), a film studies course, or another upper division CA course may be substituted for one of these courses

† may not be completed more than once for credit

Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements

Students admitted to Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.

WQB Graduation Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit

Requirement

Units

Notes
W - Writing

6

Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Simon Fraser University within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each)

Q - Quantitative

6

Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more)
B - Breadth

18

Designated Breadth

Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division:

Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc
Two courses (total six units or more) Humanities: B-Hum
Two courses (total six units or more) Sciences: B-Sci

6

Additional Breadth

Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements).

Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas.

Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit

  • At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
  • At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.

Elective Courses

In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.