Film Major

The Film Major gives students a foundation in film history, aesthetics, production, and methods of analysis that illuminate local and global perspectives. Film courses develop students’ critical thinking and media literacy skills, increase their understanding of cultural and aesthetic histories, and sharpen their awareness of the interactions among film practices, audiences, technology, and socioeconomic forces. Film Majors can gain experience in all aspects of production and prepare themselves for careers as writers, producers, screenwriters, editors, directors, sound designers, and more. BGSU graduates have been accepted into prestigious MFA film programs and competitive professional programs such as those sponsored by the Director’s Guild of America.

Film Majors can also develop expertise analyzing individual films, curating film programming, and navigating mainstream, independent, and commercial film and media industries. Students can prepare themselves for careers in journalism, festival organization, acquisition and distribution, and, with professional training, entertainment law. Film Majors have been accepted into graduate film studies programs and continued into careers as scholars, archivists, and film preservationists. Graduates of the BGSU Film Major have a national alumni network and an outstanding record of successful staff and freelance work in a range of film and media positions.

A strength of the Film Major is its faculty, who bring years of research, training, and experience to their teaching and individual mentoring. Film Majors benefit from BGSU's long-standing leadership in the study of popular culture, music, and international cinemas. The Film program’s commitment to excellence is facilitated by its significant collection of academic, popular culture, and music research materials in the Jerome Library and its screenings of films in the BGSU Film Theater, the Ralph Haven Wolfe Film Theater, and the Donnell Theatre. Film Majors host and show their work in the BG Film and Media Festival established in 2000 for student and professional filmmakers.  

Film Majors participate in scores of film-related activities. There are three student organizations. BG Reel organizes 48 Hour Film Competitions and hosts the BG Film and Media Festival. BG on Screen provides a hub for creating student-led productions. Film Appreciation Club enriches campus film culture by screening international films, cult classics, genre films, women’s cinema, and more.

Film Majors have the opportunity work on faculty-led, department sponsored Studio Experience films, which are then shown at regional, national, and international film festivals. In addition, Film Majors are given the chance to lead or participate in senior capstone productions, which premiere at Bowling Green State University.

Film Majors select a minor that gives them knowledge and experience in an area that supports their personal interests and career goals. Film Majors can select any minor offered at BGSU. Creative writing, digital art, marketing, media production, photography, popular culture, and theatre are among the minors that film students often select. For students with a secondary interest in film, there is a Film Minor, which can effectively support undergraduate courses in other areas of study.

Scholarship and Financial Aid

There are awards and scholarships available to Film Majors, including an award named in honor of silent screen actresses and Ohio natives, Dorothy and Lillian Gish. Other awards recognize student experimental film expertise or other notable contributions to film culture on campus.

More information about scholarships can be found at:  https://bgsu.academicworks.com