Architectural Excellence and Campus Development
Under the leadership of first chancellor Gordon M. Shrum, who was appointed in May 1963, the university’s stunning main campus was designed by renowned architects Arthur Erickson and Geoffrey Massey, who won a prestigious design competition. Construction began in spring 1964, and the campus was strategically positioned atop Burnaby Mountain, 365 meters above sea level, facing northwest over Burrard Inlet. This architectural masterpiece has since received numerous awards, including the gold medal for Lieutenant-Governor 2009 Awards in Architecture and the 2007 Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s Prix du XXe siècle.
Growth into Excellence
Simon Fraser University began its first semester on September 9, 1965, with 2,500 students, and has since grown into a major public research university serving 30,380 students (25,690 undergraduates and 4,690 postgraduates) with 1,095 academic staff members. The university operates on a substantial budget of CA653million(2022)andmaintainsanendowmentofCA653 million (2022) and maintains an endowment of CA653million(2022)andmaintainsanendowmentofCA605 million (2021), ensuring robust support for its innovative programs and state-of-the-art facilities.
School for the Contemporary Arts Film Program
Program Philosophy and Approach
The SCA Film Area’s program is rooted in a set of core project-based production courses, built around technical and collaborative labs, and complemented by cinema studies courses in the history, aesthetics, and theory of film. The program’s fundamental philosophy centers on the principle that “SCA Film students learn by making,” emphasizing hands-on experience and practical application of theoretical knowledge.
Learning by Making
Every year, SCA Film students work on a variety of film projects, collaborating with their peers in small classes while having access to a range of advanced digital cinema tools as well as traditional 16mm equipment. Through a carefully balanced combination of studio and cinema studies coursework, students learn to develop their voices as artists, engage with both theory and technology, and understand that the collaborative process is crucial to their development as filmmakers.
Artistic Vision and Contemporary Relevance
The program’s approach prioritizes film as an art form that is in constant dialogue with other contemporary art forms as well as with society and culture at large. This philosophy ensures that graduates are not only technically proficient but also culturally aware and artistically sophisticated, capable of creating meaningful work that resonates with diverse audiences and addresses contemporary issues.
Academic Programs and Options
Comprehensive Program Structure
The School for the Contemporary Arts Film program offers three distinct pathways for study, allowing students to choose the level of engagement that best suits their career goals and academic interests:
Major in Film (Bachelor of Fine Arts) The BFA with a major in film provides creative, technical, and analytical studies within the school’s interdisciplinary setting. This comprehensive program combines rigorous technical training and skills development with extensive instruction in cinema studies and history, preparing students for professional careers in the film industry.
Extended Minor in Film This program option allows students to pursue substantial film education while maintaining a primary focus in another discipline, providing flexibility for students with diverse academic interests who want to incorporate significant film training into their educational experience.
Minor in Film and Video Studies Focused on the theoretical, analytical, historical, and critical aspects of film and video, this program is ideal for students who want to develop expertise in film scholarship, criticism, and cultural analysis while pursuing other academic concentrations.
Graduate Studies Opportunities MFA students can also focus on film production in their program, providing advanced training for students seeking to pursue careers in film research, criticism, or advanced production roles.
Campus and Facilities
Multi-Campus Advantage
Simon Fraser University’s three campuses provide unique advantages for film students:
Burnaby Campus (Main Campus) Located atop Burnaby Mountain on a sprawling 170-hectare (420-acre) site, the main campus houses all major university departments and provides students with access to comprehensive facilities including the W.A.C. Bennett Library, multiple gym complexes, an international-sized swimming pool, the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, and three art galleries.
Vancouver Campus Consisting of multiple buildings in downtown Vancouver, including the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts in the Woodward’s redevelopment, this campus provides students with direct access to Vancouver’s thriving film and media industry, offering networking opportunities, internships, and real-world production experiences.
Surrey Campus Located inside Central City, the Surrey campus extends the university’s reach into this rapidly growing region of Greater Vancouver, providing additional opportunities for community engagement and industry connections.
State-of-the-Art Resources and Equipment
SCA Film students have access to advanced digital cinema tools and traditional 16mm equipment, supported by technical and collaborative labs that mirror professional industry standards. The program’s commitment to providing cutting-edge resources ensures that students graduate with experience using the same tools and technologies they will encounter in their professional careers.
Interdisciplinary Excellence
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
Students in the SCA Film program are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the interdisciplinary offerings of the School for the Contemporary Arts as a whole. The programs in Dance, Visual Art, Theatre, Music & Sound, Performance, Production & Design, and Art, Performance & Cinema Studies provide exciting opportunities for inter and cross-disciplinary exploration and cooperation.
Collaborative Learning Environment
This interdisciplinary approach reflects the contemporary reality of media production, where successful projects often require collaboration across multiple artistic disciplines. Students learn to work effectively with artists from other fields, developing the communication and collaboration skills essential for success in today’s interconnected creative industries.
Innovation and Experimentation
The school’s emphasis on experimentation and artistic independence encourages students to push the boundaries of traditional filmmaking while developing strong foundational skills. This balance of innovation and tradition has made the program a model for film education across Canada and internationally.
Industry Impact and Recognition
Alumni Success and Professional Pathways
SCA Film students learn to become successful independent filmmakers and artists, with many alumni continuing to collaborate with their SCA peers long after graduation. Graduates take diverse creative and professional paths, screening award-winning films in festivals internationally and establishing successful careers across the global film industry.
Faculty Excellence
The program benefits from distinguished faculty members including Chris Chong Chan Fui, Simone Rapisarda, Noé Rodríguez, and Nadia Shihab, who bring extensive professional experience and academic expertise to their teaching. Their diverse backgrounds ensure students receive comprehensive training in all aspects of film production, theory, and criticism.
Industry Connections and Resources
Students benefit from extensive industry connections and resources, including partnerships with organizations such as Telefilm Talent to Watch, The Cinematheque, Cineworks, Vancouver International Film Centre, VIVO Media Arts Centre, and Women In Film + Television Vancouver. These connections provide students with access to internships, networking opportunities, and professional development resources.
Student Support and Academic Excellence
Comprehensive Academic Support
The university’s substantial resources, including its CA653millionbudgetandCA653 million budget and CA653millionbudgetandCA605 million endowment, ensure comprehensive support for students throughout their academic journey. The program’s small class sizes and emphasis on collaboration provide personalized attention and mentorship opportunities.
Year-Round Learning Opportunities
SFU’s unique year-round, three-semester schedule provides students with flexible learning opportunities and the ability to accelerate their studies or pursue internships and professional experiences during traditional break periods.
Accreditation and Quality Assurance
As part of Simon Fraser University, the program benefits from the institution’s prestigious accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, making SFU the second Canadian university to receive this recognition in 2015.
Research and Innovation
Contemporary Arts Integration
The program’s location within the School for the Contemporary Arts ensures that film education is constantly informed by developments in other artistic disciplines, encouraging students to explore innovative approaches to storytelling and visual expression.
Academic and Creative Research
Students and faculty engage in both academic research and creative practice, contributing to the ongoing development of film theory and practice while creating original works that push the boundaries of the medium.
Global Perspective and Cultural Awareness
The program’s emphasis on film as an art form in dialogue with society and culture at large ensures that students develop a global perspective and cultural awareness essential for creating meaningful work in today’s interconnected world.
Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts Film program continues to shape the future of Canadian and international cinema through its innovative curriculum, world-class facilities, distinguished faculty, and commitment to both theoretical understanding and practical excellence in all aspects of film education.
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