Why Study Film Studies?

Film shapes the way we understand culture, society, and ourselves. The Film Studies Program seeks to give students an appreciation for the cultural, artistic, and humanistic perspectives that have shaped cinema since the birth of the medium. Through the study of film, students gain a deeper understanding of storytelling, visual expression, and the human experience.

The program also encourages students to discover their own interests and creative voices within the world of film. Many students immerse themselves in film production, beginning with short films in Filmmaking I and advancing to more sophisticated storytelling in Filmmaking II. In Filmmaking III, each student writes, shoots, and edits an original short film, which is then screened for an audience at an on-campus showcase. Courses in cinematography and editing with Adobe Premiere further support students interested in developing semi-professional filmmaking skills.

Students who study film pursue a wide range of careers. Some become documentary filmmakers, producers, or editors, while others enter fields such as film marketing, advertising, television, or media production. Some students work with museums and educational organizations as videographers and media specialists. Others continue their studies in graduate programs at institutions such as USC, UCLA, NYU, Boston University, and Emerson College. Many students also study and create films simply for the passion of the art form while pursuing careers in other disciplines.

Internships provide valuable opportunities for students to explore different areas of the media industry. At Boston College, the Film Studies program helps students take advantage of Eagle Internship stipends that support unpaid film internships. In addition, the LaMattina Program enables students to create international documentaries focused on social justice issues, which are shared with the BC community during the annual Arts Festival.