Top Film Schools in Canada

Discover a list of the top film schools in Canada. (Please note additional insights and comprehensive data will be incorporated as they become available.)

Top Film Schools in Canada Top Entries

#1
The University of British Columbia (UBC) stands as one of Canada's most prestigious institutions and a global leader in film education, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities worldwide. Established in 1908 in British Columbia, Canada, UBC has evolved into a powerhouse of academic excellence with campuses near Vancouver and Kelowna, serving over 66,000 students and maintaining an impressive annual research budget of $893 million.
#2
Concordia University's Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema stands as the largest university-based centre for the study of film animation, film production, and film and moving image studies in Canada. Located in the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Montreal, Quebec, this prestigious institution has earned an international reputation as a leader in the practice and study of the cinematic arts, preparing students for a lifetime of working with the moving image through creative independence, rigorous scholarship, and experimental practices.
#3
Simon Fraser University's School for the Contemporary Arts (SCA) Film Area stands as one of Canada's most innovative and comprehensive film education programs, offering an exciting creative and aesthetic education that supports artistic independence, hands-on training, collaboration, and experimentation. Located across three dynamic campuses in Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, this prestigious program combines rigorous technical training with extensive instruction in cinema studies, preparing students to become successful independent filmmakers and artists in an increasingly interconnected global media landscape.
#4
York University's Department of Cinema & Media Arts stands as Canada's oldest and most comprehensive university-based film school, celebrating over 50 years of film leadership and excellence in education. Located within the prestigious School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) in Toronto, Ontario, this groundbreaking department has established itself as Canada's premier centre for education in multi-platform production, screenwriting, cinema and media arts, preparing students to thrive in today's dynamic film and media landscape through hands-on learning in Canada's cultural capital.
#5
Carleton University, established in 1942 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, stands as one of the nation's premier public research institutions with over 30,760 students across its 150-acre campus. The university's Film Studies program represents one of the oldest and most respected programs of its type in Canada, offering students a globally-focused and interdisciplinary approach to cinema and emerging media education.
#6
Toronto Metropolitan University, established in 1948 in Toronto, Ontario, stands as one of Canada's premier public research institutions with over 47,350 students across its urban campus in the Garden District. The university's Image Arts: Film program, housed within The Creative School, represents an internationally renowned Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program that has earned recognition among "The 15 Top Global Film Schools" by The Hollywood Reporter in 2023.
#7
Vancouver Film School (VFS) is a private entertainment arts school located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1987, it has achieved international recognition as one of the leading institutions for hands-on education in the entertainment arts industry.
#8
Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, established in 1967 in Ontario's Greater Toronto Area, stands as Canada's largest art school and one of the world's most prestigious institutions for animation and film education. The Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design (FAAD) has earned international recognition for its outstanding programs that train performers, animators, filmmakers, designers, and artists to realize their full creative potential while maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence.
#9
British Columbia Institute of Technology, established in 1964 in Burnaby, British Columbia, stands as one of Canada's premier polytechnic institutes and a leader in technology-focused education. With over 48,000 students and more than 120,000 alumni worldwide, BCIT has spent over 60 years at the cutting edge of technology education, consistently adapting to meet the evolving needs of British Columbia's economy and the global marketplace.
#10
Capilano University, established in 1968 in North Vancouver, British Columbia, stands as a distinguished teaching-focused public university that has evolved from its origins as Capilano College to become a leading institution in motion picture arts education. The School of Motion Picture Arts (SMPA), housed within the state-of-the-art Bosa Centre for Film and Animation, represents the university's commitment to inspiring and training a new generation of Canadian talent in the film and television industries.
#11
Humber Polytechnic, established in 1967 as part of Ontario's Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology system, stands as one of Canada's leading postsecondary institutions committed to excellence in teaching and learning. Located in Toronto, Ontario, the institution serves over 33,000 students with a faculty of 3,400+ dedicated professionals who bring real-world experience and academic expertise to their teaching. The college's transformation from Humber College to Humber Polytechnic reflects its evolution and commitment to providing cutting-edge, industry-relevant education that prepares students for successful careers in rapidly evolving fields.
#12
George Brown College, established in 1967 and opening its doors to students in 1968, stands as one of Toronto's premier institutions for applied arts and technology education. Named after George Brown (1818-1880), a Scottish-born Canadian politician, newspaper publisher, and Father of Confederation who founded The Globe newspaper (precursor to The Globe and Mail), the college embodies its namesake's strong belief in public education and commitment to social progress. Located in the heart of Toronto with three distinctive campuses - Casa Loma, St. James, and Waterfront - the college serves over 30,000 full-time students from across the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, and the world.
#13
Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology, established in 1967 and commonly known as Fanshawe College, stands as one of Canada's largest and most comprehensive educational institutions, serving over 43,000 students annually across multiple campuses in Southwestern Ontario. Located primarily in London, Ontario, with additional campuses in Simcoe, St. Thomas, and Woodstock, Fanshawe has grown from its humble beginnings as the Ontario Vocational Centre in 1964 to become a major force in applied arts and technology education, particularly renowned for its media and broadcasting programs.
#14
Langara College, known in Halkomelem as snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ meaning "house of teachings," stands as one of British Columbia's leading post-secondary institutions, serving more than 19,000 students annually in the heart of Vancouver. Established in 1965 as part of Vancouver Community College and becoming an independent public college in 1994, Langara has built a distinguished reputation for providing exceptional University Studies, Career Studies, and Continuing Studies programs that prepare students for successful careers and meaningful contributions to their communities.
#15
InFocus Film School launched in 2010 as an independent career college in Vancouver’s historic Gastown district. It offers one-year diplomas in Film Production, 3D Animation, VFX and Screenwriting, leveraging British Columbia’s C$4-billion screen industry.
#16
Toronto Film School, founded in 2001 and part of Yorkville University, delivers intensive 12- to 18-month diploma programmes in film production, acting, writing, video game design and graphic design. Its downtown Toronto campuses place students steps from Canada’s largest production hubs, including Pinewood Toronto Studios.
#17
Trebas Institute was founded in 1979 in Montreal to train entertainment-industry professionals. It now offers diplomas in Film & Television Production at campuses in Montreal and Toronto, with bilingual instruction.
#18
Founded as Red Deer College in 1964 and renamed Red Deer Polytechnic in 2021, the institution offers a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Film, Theatre and Live Entertainment, serving Alberta’s central corridor.
#19
Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology stands as Northwestern Ontario's premier educational institution, proudly serving students since 1967 as a provincially funded college established during the transformative expansion of Ontario's college system. Located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe peoples of Northwestern Ontario, the college has grown from its founding mission to become a comprehensive public sector community college delivering over 60 programs across 11 diverse academic areas.
#20
Established in 1948 (renamed Toronto Metropolitan University in 2022), the university’s School of Image Arts has offered a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Studies since 1953, making it Canada’s oldest film-degree programme.