State-of-the-Art Bosa Centre for Film and Animation
The School of Motion Picture Arts operates from the Bosa Centre for Film and Animation, a facility that exemplifies the university’s commitment to providing students with professional-grade learning environments. The centre features an impressive 8,000 square foot sound stage, 3D camera rigs, and a dedicated 3D editing lab, ensuring that students have access to the same technology and equipment used in professional film and television production.
The facility’s comprehensive resources include enviable studios equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for shooting, digital production, costuming, editing, and screening. This investment in infrastructure reflects the university’s understanding that effective film education requires hands-on experience with professional-grade tools and environments that mirror the realities of contemporary media production.
Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts Program Excellence
The flagship Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts degree represents a comprehensive four-year educational experience that combines theoretical understanding with practical application. Students learn film criticism and develop the skills necessary to tell stories that evoke emotions and change lives, while studying at one of British Columbia’s top film schools. The program’s emphasis on both creative and technical development ensures that graduates possess the versatility needed for success in diverse areas of film and television production.
The curriculum encompasses film theory and history while providing extensive hands-on experience across different technical departments. This comprehensive approach ensures that students understand both the artistic foundations of filmmaking and the practical skills necessary for professional success. Students work with up-to-date professional equipment throughout their studies, building technical knowledge and creative confidence that translates directly to workplace competency.
Comprehensive Program Portfolio
The School of Motion Picture Arts offers an extensive range of programs designed to serve diverse student interests and career goals. Beyond the Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts degree, the school provides specialized diplomas in Costuming for Stage and Screen and Indigenous Digital Filmmaking, along with certificates in Documentary, Grip Work for Digital Imaging and Film, Lighting for Digital Imaging and Film, and Outdoor Filmmaking.
This diverse program portfolio reflects the school’s understanding of the varied career paths available within the film and television industry. Students can pursue specialized training in technical areas such as lighting and grip work, creative areas such as documentary production, or comprehensive programs that provide broad-based preparation for multiple industry roles. The inclusion of Indigenous Digital Filmmaking programs demonstrates the university’s commitment to supporting diverse voices and perspectives in media production.
Industry Integration and Career Preparation
The School of Motion Picture Arts prepares graduates for diverse career paths within the film and television industry, including roles as costumers, directors, editors, filmmakers, grip technicians, lighting crew members, producers, production crew, and screenwriters. This comprehensive career preparation reflects the program’s understanding of the collaborative nature of film production and the need for professionals who can contribute effectively across multiple areas of expertise.
The program’s location in Vancouver provides students with unique advantages, as the city’s film industry offers more job openings than available talent to fill them. This creates unparalleled opportunities for skilled professionals and ensures that graduates have access to immediate employment opportunities upon completion of their studies. The program’s emphasis on preparing students for Canadian film and television work while developing skills for worldwide audience production reflects the global nature of contemporary media industries.
Indigenous Support and Cultural Inclusion
Capilano University demonstrates its commitment to Indigenous education and cultural inclusion through specialized programs and support services. The WarnerMedia bursary for Indigenous students provides financial support for those enrolled in film programs, including Documentary, Animation, Costuming, Indigenous Digital Filmmaking, Motion Picture Arts, and VFX programs. This initiative, directed by Doreen Manuel, director of the Bosa Centre for Film and Animation, specifically aims to help Indigenous students uplift Indigenous voices in film.
The Indigenous Digital Filmmaking programs, available as both certificate and diploma options, provide specialized training that honors Indigenous perspectives and storytelling traditions while developing contemporary digital media skills. This approach recognizes the importance of diverse voices in media production and the unique contributions that Indigenous filmmakers bring to the industry.
Campus Network and Strategic Locations
Capilano University operates multiple campuses strategically located throughout British Columbia, with the main campus situated on the slopes of the North Shore Mountains in North Vancouver, approximately 30 minutes from Downtown Vancouver. Additional locations include the kálax-ay Sunshine Coast Campus in Sechelt, CapU Lonsdale in Lower Lonsdale, and the newly opened CapU Squamish campus, which occupies the former Quest University facility.
The Squamish campus, which opened in Fall 2024, represents a significant expansion of the university’s capacity and capabilities. This 18-acre purpose-built campus includes academic teaching and learning spaces, student housing, dining facilities, a library, an athletic centre, and a FIFA-grade turf field. The acquisition and development of this campus demonstrates the university’s commitment to growth and its confidence in the continued demand for its educational programs.
Academic Excellence and Accreditation
Capilano University’s academic programs are approved by the Government of British Columbia’s Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, with degree-granting powers legislated by British Columbia’s University Act. The university’s achievement in becoming Canada’s first institution to receive accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities represents a significant milestone in Canadian higher education and demonstrates the institution’s commitment to meeting international standards of educational excellence.
This accreditation, recognized by the United States Department of Education, provides students with enhanced mobility and recognition for their credentials while ensuring that the university maintains the highest standards of educational quality. The accreditation process requires ongoing assessment and improvement, ensuring that programs continue to evolve and meet changing industry needs and educational best practices.
Athletic and Cultural Achievement
Capilano University’s commitment to excellence extends beyond academics to encompass athletic and cultural achievement. The university’s sports teams, known as The Blues, have achieved remarkable success with 15 national titles in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association and 61 provincial titles in the Pacific Western Athletic Association. This athletic excellence reflects the university’s comprehensive approach to student development and its commitment to fostering achievement across multiple areas of student life.
The university’s cultural contributions include hosting performance venues and supporting diverse artistic expression through its various programs and facilities. The integration of athletic and cultural programming with academic excellence creates a comprehensive educational environment that supports student development across multiple dimensions of personal and professional growth.
Community Engagement and Regional Service
Capilano University’s origins as a community college established by local school boards and residents continue to influence its mission and approach to education. The university serves not only the North Shore communities but also extends its programming to serve the Sea-to-Sky Corridor and the Sunshine Coast, demonstrating its commitment to regional educational access and community development.
The university’s multiple campus locations and community partnerships ensure that students from diverse geographic and cultural backgrounds have access to high-quality education while maintaining connections to their home communities. This regional approach to education reflects the university’s understanding of its role in supporting economic and cultural development throughout British Columbia.
Innovation and Future Development
Capilano University’s recent expansion and facility development demonstrate its commitment to innovation and future growth. The acquisition of the former Quest University campus in Squamish represents a significant investment in the university’s future capacity and capabilities, while the development of new programs and partnerships ensures that educational offerings remain current with industry needs and student interests.
The university’s participation in initiatives such as the OpenCourseWare consortium and its leadership in tourism education demonstrate its commitment to educational innovation and collaboration. These initiatives position the university to continue its leadership role in Canadian higher education while adapting to changing educational and industry landscapes.
Professional Preparation and Industry Readiness
The School of Motion Picture Arts’ emphasis on combining theoretical knowledge with practical application ensures that graduates are prepared for immediate contribution to professional productions. Students develop portfolios of original, high-quality work suitable for worldwide audiences while gaining experience with the collaborative processes and professional standards that characterize contemporary film and television production.
The program’s focus on developing both technical skills and creative vision prepares graduates for the diverse and evolving demands of the entertainment industry. Whether pursuing careers in traditional film and television production or emerging digital media formats, graduates possess the adaptability and comprehensive skill sets necessary for long-term professional success in rapidly changing creative industries.
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