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The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Film and Media Arts at Temple University is an intensive, arts-focused degree designed for students who want to develop a distinctive creative voice while gaining professional skills in filmmaking, directing, screenwriting, animation, digital media and experimental production. Students work closely with faculty mentors and can specialize in Directing, Screenwriting, or Animation and Media Arts, preparing for independent creative work and professional careers across film, television and digital media.
Curriculum Structure:
Year 1: Students establish their creative and analytical foundation through FMA 1141: Film, Video and Interactive Foundations I, FMA 1171: Media & Culture, FMA 1142: Film, Video and Interactive Foundations II, and FMA 1172: Introduction to Film and Video Analysis. These courses introduce filmmaking practice, interactive media, visual storytelling and the cultural analysis of film while students complete Temple's broader General Education requirements.
Year 2: Students move into more advanced production and begin developing the skills needed for their intended BFA pathway. Courses such as FMA 2241: Filmmaking, FMA 2551: Editing Film and Video, FMA 2396: Screenwriting I, FMA 2242: Videography, and film-history or new-media courses strengthen production, editing, writing and visual storytelling abilities.
Year 3: Students enter the specialized upper-level BFA curriculum after completing the required foundation and admission process. Depending on the concentration, students can develop professional-level work through courses such as FMA 3773: Contemporary Screen Studies, FMA 3341: Scene Analysis for Writers and Directors, FMA 3342: Serial Writing, FMA 3453: Interdisciplinary Media Studio, FMA 3458: Junior BFA Animation Projects, or FMA 4452: Episodic Animation.
Year 4: The final year centers on advanced creative production and substantial independent work. Students complete major projects such as FMA 4241/FMA 4242: BFA Directing Projects I and II, FMA 4342/FMA 4343: BFA Screenwriting Projects I and II, or FMA 4442/FMA 4443: Animation/Media Arts BFA Thesis I and II, giving them significant portfolio-ready work before graduation.
Focus Areas:
Directing, screenwriting, narrative filmmaking, documentary filmmaking, animation, media arts, digital media, experimental film, interactive media, video production, film editing, visual storytelling, new media, video games, 2D and 3D animation, creative production, film history and screen studies.
Learning Outcomes:
Students develop creative and technical skills in filmmaking, directing, screenwriting, editing, animation, digital media and experimental production; analyze film, media and culture; develop original concepts and personal creative voices; collaborate on professional-style productions; and create substantial independent projects suitable for professional portfolios.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
Temple states that its Film and Media Arts program is associated with the University Film and Video Association (UFVA), an international organization of university and industry professionals working in media production. Temple's official program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation such as NASAD specifically for the Film and Media Arts BFA.
Reputation (Employability & Recognition):
The program benefits from faculty whose professional and artistic achievements include Oscar, Emmy, Guggenheim, Rockefeller, Fulbright, Sundance and international awards, providing students with access to instructors with significant experience and recognition in the field. Temple's Philadelphia location also places students near independent theaters, studios, film organizations and an active media-production community.
Temple's Film and Media Arts BFA is strongly production-oriented, giving students access to professional filmmaking equipment, dedicated studios, editing environments, audio facilities, post-production resources and emerging-media technologies. Students can build practical experience through hands-on production courses, internships, student creative organizations and Temple's Los Angeles Study Away Program, while advanced BFA projects allow them to develop substantial creative work for their portfolios.
• Annenberg Hall Production Facilities — Students have access to film and video production spaces, editing and graphics areas, photographic labs, smart classrooms and a 75-seat multimedia screening room.
• Digital Cinema Lab — Provides film and video post-production services, digital cinema resources and access to 4K camera reservations and media-transfer capabilities.
• Equipment Office — Students can work with professional production equipment including Arri Amira, RED Epic and RED Scarlet, Sony FS7/FS5/a7S, Panasonic GH5, 360-degree cameras, professional lighting, Steadicam systems, drones, dollies, jibs and microphones.
• Audio Studios & Post-Production Lab — Seven audio studios and dedicated editing facilities support sound recording, audio/video editing and media transfers.
• VR and Emerging Media Equipment — Students can explore immersive production through Oculus and Vive VR systems, 360 cameras and Alienware post-production computers.
• Hands-On Production Courses — Courses such as Filmmaking, Videography, Editing Film and Video, Documentary Workshop, Interdisciplinary Media Studio and Experimental Media Workshop give students opportunities to create and refine original work.
• BFA Creative Projects — Directing, Screenwriting and Animation/Media Arts students complete substantial advanced projects and thesis work, creating portfolio-ready productions.
• Film and Media Arts Internships — Juniors and seniors can complete approved internships for academic credit, gaining practical experience in film, media arts and entertainment businesses.
• Los Angeles Study Away Program — Students can combine academic study with professional experience in Los Angeles, gaining direct exposure to the media and entertainment industry and opportunities for internships.
• Philadelphia Industry Opportunities — Students can explore opportunities through organizations including the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, Pennsylvania Film Office, Philadelphia Film Society, Philadelphia Independent Film & Video Association and Scribe Video Center.
• Student Film Organizations — Wandering Studios helps students create short films during the semester, supporting collaborative production and creative experimentation.
• Film and Media Arts Reference Resources — Students can work with Temple University Libraries' Film & Media Arts reference resources and a dedicated Media Services Specialist for research support.
• Faculty Mentoring — Film and Media Arts students are assigned faculty mentors who can provide guidance on their major, graduate-school preparation and career development.
The Film and Media Arts BFA prepares graduates for creative and professional roles across film, television, digital media, animation and independent production. Students graduate with specialized production experience, substantial creative projects and industry exposure that can support careers in both traditional media organizations and independent or freelance creative work. Temple specifically identifies careers such as cinematographer, director, documentary filmmaker, games designer, editor, producer, screenwriter and web designer for BFA graduates.
Typical career options: Cinematographer, Director, Screenwriter, Film Producer
• Temple University Career Center — Students can receive guidance on career direction, job-search strategies, internships and employment opportunities.
• Film and Media Arts Career Support — The department encourages students to consult faculty, use career information available through the department and connect with Temple's Career Center for professional preparation.
• CPCA Student Success Center — Provides access to internship and freelance opportunities, career-development resources, employer events, career workshops and professional networking opportunities.
• Employer Spotlights & Professional Events — The Student Success Center works with Temple's Career Center to bring employers to campus so students can learn about internship and employment opportunities and connect directly with professionals.
• Film Industry Internships — Students can gain industry experience through approved placements in Philadelphia and through the Los Angeles Study Away Program, helping bridge academic training and professional film/media work.
• Philadelphia Film Industry Network — Students benefit from access to organizations including the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, Pennsylvania Film Office, Philadelphia Film Society and Scribe Video Center.
• Los Angeles Industry Exposure — The Los Angeles Study Away Program provides direct learning and professional work experience in the media and entertainment industries, creating a valuable pathway for students interested in Hollywood and larger entertainment markets.
• Professional Recognition & Faculty Mentorship — Faculty with Oscar, Emmy, Guggenheim, Fulbright, Sundance and other major honors provide students with exposure to experienced professionals and established creative practices.
• Employment & Salary Information — Temple's official Film and Media Arts pages do not publish a current program-specific employment rate or graduate salary figure for the BFA. The School does require graduating students to complete a First Destination Survey, which Temple uses to track where students go after graduation.
• Long-Term Professional Value — The combination of specialized production training, portfolio development, internships, industry exposure and faculty mentorship gives graduates a practical foundation for evolving careers in film, television, digital media, animation and independent production.
Further Academic Progression: After completing the BFA, students can continue into Temple's Film and Media Arts MFA or the MediaXarts MA, depending on their creative and academic goals. The Film and Media Arts MFA offers advanced study in areas including media arts, narrative and documentary filmmaking and writing, with opportunities to develop a substantial thesis or final creative project.
Official High School Transcripts, Recommendation Letter, Essay, is required to be submitted. US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.
Profile Assessment: Applicants are generally assessed on writing, communication, creativity and engagement with media or current affairs. Journalism, school publications, podcasting, filmmaking, photography, social-media projects, debate and communication campaigns may strengthen the profile. Some film or media programs may request a creative portfolio, writing sample or supplementary submission.Advanced Placement(AP) Guidance: AP availability depends on the student's school. Relevant APs can strengthen an application and may earn university credit, but are not compulsory unless the university or programme explicitly requires them.Essays & recommendations: Personal essays and teacher/counselor recommendations give context to your achievements and help demonstrate fit with the program.DirectorCinematographerFilm ProducerVideo EditorScreenwriterSound DesignerDocumentary FilmmakerProduction DesignerVisual Effects ArtistFilm EditorCamera OperatorIndependent FilmmakerScript SupervisorPost-Production Specialist
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