Reel Opportunities
Career Resources
REEL CANADA wants to help the next generation of Canadian storytellers (that’s you!) find a path into the booming Canadian film and television industry.
We’ve created a comprehensive list of industry-related resources for you below. You’ll see what’s involved in filmmaking from start to finish: whether working on small independent production to being part of a huge, big-budget team, there’s a role for everyone to get excited about.
Resources
Colleges and universities across the country are ready to guide you on your path to success in Canada’s film and TV industry.
Whether you’re looking for a diploma, certificate, or honours bachelor’ degree, this page links you to programmes which can all be entered straight out of high school. From one-year college programs to longer, four-year university programs, there’s an option that’s right for you. Be sure to take a close look – they vary in terms of prerequisites and tuition costs.
Taking a film course in continuing education at a college or university can be a good way to test the waters of a particular field before committing to lengthier programmes. You’ll find links to them here as well.
Disciplines like English, fine arts, business, and creative writing, which can provide excellent foundations for careers in film and TV are worthy of consideration too, and are mentioned where applicable on our Job Descriptions resource.
Looking even further ahead? Check out www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/programs and www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca for post-graduate or post-diploma programs in specialized areas of interest. They require prior college or university study.
British Columbia
Degrees
Emily Carr University of Art and Design – Media Arts (Vancouver, BC)
Simon Fraser University – Film (Burnaby, BC)
Simon Fraser University – Interactive Arts and Technology (Burnaby, BC)
University of British Columbia – Theatre and Film (Vancouver, BC)
University of Fraser Valley – Media Arts (Burnaby, BC)
Diplomas
British Columbia Institute of Technology – Television and Video Production (Burnaby, BC)
Capilano University – 3D Animation for Digital Films and Games (North Vancouver, BC)
Capilano University – Indigenous Digital Filmmaking (North Vancouver, BC)
Centre for Arts and Technology – Digital Filmmaking (Kelowna, BC)
Infocus Film School – 3D Animation + Visual Effects (Vancouver, BC)
Infocus Film School – Writing for Film and Television (Vancouver, BC)
Langara College – Digital Film Production (Vancouver, BC)
Lasalle College – Digital Film and Video (Vancouver, BC)
Lasalle College – VFX for Film and Television (Vancouver, BC)
Lost Boys Studio – Advanced VFX Compositing (Vancouver, BC)
Lost Boys Studio – Effects Technical Director (Vancouver, BC)
New Image College – Fashion and Film Makeup Design (Vancouver, BC)
Vancouver Institute of Media Arts – Acting for Film & Television (Vancouver, BC)
Vancouver Institute of Media Arts – Visual Effects for Film and TV (Vancouver, BC)
Visual College of Art and Design – Visual Effects Art and Design (Vancouver, BC)
Vancouver Animation School – Effects Animation (Vancouver, BC)
Certificates
British Columbia Institute of Technology – Video Production and Editing (Burnaby, BC)
Langara College – Documentary Production (Vancouver, BC)
Langara College – Film Arts (Vancouver, BC)
North Island College – TV and Film Crew Training (Vancouver Island, BC)
University of Fraser Valley – Indigenous Maps, Films, Rights, and Land Claims (Abbotsford, BC)
Alberta
Degrees
Mount Royal University – Broadcast Media Studies (Calgary, AB)
Red Deer College – Applied Arts in Film, Theatre, and Live Entertainment (Red Deer, AB)
University of Alberta – Film Studies (Edmonton, AB)
University of Calgary – Film Studies (Calgary, AB)
University of Lethbridge – New Media (Lethbridge, AB)
University of Lethbridge – New Media / Computer Science (Letbridge, AB)
University of Lethbridge – New Media / Management (Lethbridge, AB)
Diplomas
Artists Within Makeup Academy – Special FX Makeup (Calgary, AB)
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology – Digital Cinema Concentration (Edmonton, AB)
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology – Radio and Television (Edmonton, AB)
ONE Beauty Brands – Essentials Makeup Artistry (Calgary, AB)
Pixel Blue – 3D Animation and Visual Effects (Edmonton, AB)
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology – Film and Video Production (Calgary, AB)
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology – New Media Production (Calgary, AB)
Certificates
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity – Sound Technician Practicum (Banff, AB)
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology – Sound Design (Edmonton, AB)
Saskatchewan
Degrees
University of Regina – Film (Regina, SK)
Manitoba
Degrees
University of Manitoba – Film Studies (Winnipeg, MB)
University of Winnipeg – Theatre and Film (Winnipeg, MB)
Ontario
Degrees
Algonquin College – Illustration and Concept Art (Ottawa, ON)
Brock University – Film Studies (St. Catherine’s, ON)
Carleton University – Film Studies (Ottawa, ON)
Carleton University – Media Production and Design (Ottawa, ON)
Humber College – Film and Media Production (Toronto, ON)
Lakehead University – Media, Film, and Communications (Thunder Bay & Orillia, ON)
Nipissing University – Film Specialization in Fine Arts (North Bay, ON)
Ontario College of Art and Design – Integrated Media (Toronto, ON)
Ontario Tech University – Communication and Digital Media Studies (Oshawa, ON)
Queen’s University – Film and Media (Kingston, ON)
Sheridan College – Honours Bachelor in Film and Television (Oakville, ON)
Trent University – Media Studies (Peterborough, ON)
Toronto Metropolitan University – Creative Industries (Toronto, ON)
Toronto Metropolitan University – Image Arts: Film Studies (Toronto, ON)
Toronto Metropolitan University – RTA School of Media: Media Production (Toronto, ON)
University of Toronto – Cinema Studies Institute (Toronto, ON)
University of Windsor – Acting (Windsor, ON)
University of Windsor – Communication, Media, and Film (Windsor, ON)
Western University – Film Studies (London, ON)
Western University – Media, Information, and Technoculture (London, ON)
Wilfrid Laurier University – Film Studies (Waterloo, ON)
York University – Cinema & Media Studies (Toronto, ON)
York University – Digital Media (Toronto, ON)
York University – Film Production (Toronto, ON)
York University – Media Arts (Toronto, ON)
York University – Screenwriting (Toronto, ON)
Diplomas
Algonquin College – Illustration and Concept Art (Ottawa, ON)
Canadore College – Acting for Screen and Stage (North Bay, ON)
Canadore College – Broadcasting – Television and Video Production (North Bay, ON)
Canadore College – Digital Visual Effects (North Bay, ON)
Centennial College – Broadcasting – Radio, Television, Film & Digital Media (Toronto, ON)
Centennial College – Digital Visual Effects (Toronto, ON)
Centennial College – Theatre Arts and Performance (Toronto, ON)
Fanshawe College – Broadcasting – Television and Film Production (London, ON)
George Brown College – Acting for Media (Toronto, ON)
George Brown College – Screenwriting and Narrative Design (Toronto, ON)
George Brown College – Video Design and Production (Toronto, ON)
Humber College – Acting for Film and Television (Toronto, ON)
Humber College – Animation – 3D (Toronto, ON)
Humber College – Broadcasting for Television and Videography (Toronto, ON)
Humber College – Comedy: Writing and Performance (Toronto, ON)
Humber College – Film and Television Production (Toronto, ON)
Metalworks Institute – Live Sound (Mississauga, ON)
Metalworks Institute – Professional Sound (Audio Specialist) (Mississauga, ON)
Mohawk College – Broadcasting – Television and Communications Media (Toronto, ON)
Mohawk College – Photography: Still and Motion (Hamilton, ON)
Niagara College – Broadcasting: Radio, Television, and Film (Welland, ON)
Niagara College – Acting for Film and Television (Welland, ON)
Recording Arts Canada – Sound and Music Production (Toronto, ON)
Sault College – Digital Film Production (Sault Ste. Marie, ON)
Seneca College – Acting for Camera and Voice (Toronto, ON)
Seneca College – Animation (Toronto, ON)
Seneca College – Broadcasting — Television (Toronto, ON)
Seneca College – Event & Media Production (Toronto, ON)
Seneca College – Interactive Media Design (Toronto, ON)
Seneca College – Visual Effects for Film & TV (Toronto, ON)
Sheridan College – Advanced Special Effects Makeup, Prosthetics, and Props (Oakville, ON)
Sheridan College – Music Scoring for Screen and Stage (Oakville, ON)
Sheridan College – Visual Effects (Oakville, ON)
St. Lawrence College – Music & Digital Media (Kingston, ON)
Trebas Institute – Film & Television Production and Post-Production (Toronto, ON)
Toronto Film School – Acting for Film and TV (Toronto, ON)
Toronto Film School – Film Production (Toronto, ON)
Toronto Film School – Scriptwriting for Film and TV (Toronto, ON)
Certificates
Algonquin College – Digital Video Post-Production (Ottawa, ON)
Centennial College – Art and Design Fundamentals (Toronto, ON)
College of Makeup Art and Design – Digital FX Makeup Effects Artist (Toronto, ON)
College of Makeup Art and Design – Fashion Photographic Makeup Artist (Toronto, ON)
Fanshawe College – Audio Post-Production (London, ON)
George Brown College – Concept Art for Entertainment (Toronto, ON)
George Brown College – Media Acting (Toronto, ON)
George Brown College – Media Foundation (Toronto, ON)
Humber College – 3D Modelling and Visual Effects Production (Toronto, ON)
Humber College – Film and Multiplatform Storytelling (Toronto, ON)
Humber College – Media Foundation (Toronto, ON)
Humber College – Radio and Media Production (Toronto, ON)
Humber College – Television Writing and Producing (Toronto, ON)
Humber College – Post-Production (Toronto, ON)
Seneca College – 3D Animation (Toronto, ON)
Seneca College – Documentary & Non-Fiction Media Production (Toronto, ON)
Seneca College – Documentary Filmmaking Institute (Toronto, ON)
Seneca College – Special Effects Makeup Artistry (Toronto, ON)
Seneca College – Visual Effects for Film & Television (Toronto, ON)
University of Toronto – Stage and Screenwriting (Toronto, ON)
Quebec
Degrees
Concordia University – Film Animation (Montréal, QC)
Concordia University – Film Production (Montréal, QC)
Concordia University – Film Studies (Montréal, QC)
Université de Montréal – Baccalauréat en cinéma (Montréal, QC)
Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue – Baccalauréat en création 3D (Rouyn-Noranda, QC)
Université du Québec à Montréal – Baccalauréat en arts visuels et médiatiques (Montréal, QC)
Université du Québec à Montréal – Baccalauréat en communication (création médias – cinéma) (Montréal, QC)
Université Laval – Baccalauréat en arts visuels et médiatiques (Québec City, QC)
Diplomas
L’École des métiers du cinéma et de la vidéo – Conception et réalisation de films web/pubs et vidéos (Rivière-du-Loup, QC)
L’École des métiers du cinéma et de la vidéo – Techniques de réalisation de films documentaires (Rivière-du-Loup, QC)
National Theatre School of Canada – Set and Costume Design (Montréal, QC)
Recording Arts Canada – Sound and Music Production (Montréal, QC)
Trebas College – Live Sound (Montréal, QC)
Trebas College – Sound Design (Montréal, QC)
Trebas Institute – Film & Television Production (Montréal, QC)
Newfoundland and Labrador
Diplomas
College of the North Atlantic – Digital Filmmaking (Stephenville, NL)
Certificates
Memorial University – Film Studies (St. John’s, NL)
New Brunswick
Degrees
University of New Brunswick – Media Arts and Cultures (Fredericton, NB)
St. Thomas University – Fine Arts (Fredericton, NB)
Diplomas
Maritime Business College – 3D Animation – Game, Film, & Visual Effects (Fredericton, NB)
Nova Scotia
Degrees
Dalhousie University – Cinema and Media Studies (Halifax, NS)
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design – Expanded Media (Halifax, NS)
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design – Film (Halifax, NS)
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design – Interdisciplinary Arts (Halifax, NS)
Saint Mary’s University – Film Studies (Halifax, NS)
Diplomas
Nova Scotia Community College – Screen Arts (Dartmouth, NS)
Yukon
Certificates
Yukon University – Multimedia Communication (Whitehorse, Yukon)
Guilds and unions are organizations representing different facets of the film industry, that protect and unionize workers of the same field. In Canada, we have a guild for writers, directors, actors, and crew members, as well as like-minded associations in many of our provinces. Members of these guilds are able to negotiate, administer and enforce agreements to ensure safe, fair, and compensated working conditions.
Guilds
ACTRA Performers Guild (Canada)
Unions
IATSE – International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (Toronto)
IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees)
NABET 700-M UNIFOR (Union)
Associations
Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA – Trade Association)
Alberta
Alberta Media Production Industries Association
CSIF (The Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers)
PRIMAA (Peace Region Independent Media Arts Association)
WIFTA (Women in Film & Television Alberta)
British Columbia
Motion Picture Production Industry Association of BC
Manitoba
Manitoba Film and Music – Film Programs
Northwest Territories
NWT Professional Media Association
Western Arctic Moving Pictures
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Nunavut Film Development Corporation
Quebec
SARTEC (Société des auteurs de radio, télévision et cinéma)
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Canada is a popular location for filming TV and movies, and there are many opportunities to get involved in the Canadian film industry. Below you will find just a few examples of how the country promotes its arts and creative industries through government support. These are all places that invest in the economic growth of the film, television and creative sectors. Get involved so that you can be a part of that development for our country.
Department of Canadian Heritage
Alberta
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
British Columbia
Creative BC – Education and Careers
Quebec
SODEC (Société de développement des entreprises culturelles)
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia
Ontario
Ontario Skilled Trades (Apprenticeships)
Prince Edward Island
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Yukon Film and Sound Commission
These organizations support Canadian film and TV in various ways. Some provide specialized grants and training to film-makers, while others present and promote their works on-screen.
Co-ops are a great place to look to gain further knowledge of the industry and to start creating your own work. Co-ops are membership-based organizations that offer things like equipment rental, workshops, grants, and training programs. They’re also a great place to meet other filmmakers and behind-the-scenes personnel.
Film Co-Ops/ Artist-Run Centres
Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative
Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers
Cinevic/Society of Independent Filmmakers
FAVA – Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta
Independent Filmmakers Co-operative of Ottawa
LIFT – Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto
New Brunswick Filmmakers’ Co-operative
NIFCO – Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Co-operative
Organizations/Media
Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Documentary Organization of Canada
Industrial Light and Magic (Vancouver)
On Screen Manitoba (Media Production Industry Association)
Saskatchewan Media Production Association
Women in Film and Television Toronto
Women in Film and Television Atlantic
Women in Film and Television Vancouver
Other Training
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Cultural Human Resources Council
Nunavut Film Industry Training
Qaggiq School of Performing Arts
SCGC (Screen Composers Guild of Canada)
Film festivals take place from coast-to-coast-to-coast, in big cities and smaller communities. Some festivals even offer internships, entry-level film jobs, and programs for emerging filmmakers. Check out this list for one near you – they’re the most fun and exciting way to see what’s current in Canadian film.
Asinabka Film and Media Arts Festival (Ottawa, ON)
Atlantic International Film Festival (Halifax, NS)
Available Light Film Festival (Whitehorse, YT)
Calgary International Film Festival (Calgary, AB)
Charlottetown Film Festival (Charlottetown, PE)
Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival (Sudbury, ON)
Dreamspeakers International Film Festival (Edmonton, AB)
Edmonton International Film Festival (Edmonton, AB)
The Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festival (Halifax, NS)
Fantasia International Film Festival (Montreal, QC)
Festival de nouveau cinema (Montreal, QC)
Festival international du cinéma francophone en Acadie (Moncton, NB)
Gimli Film Festival (Gimli, MB)
Hot Docs! Canadian International Documentary Festival (Toronto, ON)
imagineNATIVE Film Festival (Toronto, ON)
Ottawa International Animation Festival (Ottawa, ON)
Regina International Film Festival (Regina, SK)
Southwestern International Film Festival (Sarnia, ON)
St John’s International Women’s Film Festival (St John’s, NL)
Toronto International Film Festival (Toronto, ON)
Vancouver International Film Festival (Vancouver, BC)
Whistler Film Festival (Whistler, BC)
Windsor International Film Festival (Windsor, ON)
Winnipeg Real to Reel Film Festival (Winnipeg, MB)
Yellowknife International Film Festival (Yellowknife, NWT)
Yorkton Film Festival (Yorkton, SK)
This is where the movie magic happens. Movie studios exist across the country, and they’re an important part of our film industry. Directors, producers, crew, and actors are contracted by the studios to create the films. These are just a few of the studios making film shoots happen in our country.
Canadian Motion Picture Park Studios (Burnaby, BC)
Canada Saskatchewan Production Studios (Regina, SK)
Cinespace (Toronto, ON)
Northern Ontario Film Studios (Sudbury, ON)
North Shore Studios (Vancouver, BC)
Pinewood (Toronto, ON)
Vancouver Film Studios (Vancouver, BC)
Want to dig a bit deeper? These sources can help: