Explore the moving-image culture of film, still photography, television, and digital media.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Media in the College of Letters & Science is an interdisciplinary program that offers rigorous engagement with the entire culture of moving-images. The program teaches students to think historically, theoretically, and analytically about a wide range of cinematic forms, and encourages students to look at moving images from the vantage point of other disciplines.
Students may complement their study of the history and theory of moving images with the hands-on experience provided by production and screenwriting classes. Students can also take advantage of internship opportunities at the affiliated Pacific Film Archive and with local film production companies.
Highlights
- Get involved with student organizations like CalTV, Delta Kappa Alpha, or Cinematic Arts and Production Club.
- Pursue a summer certificate in Film and Media Industries and Professions.
- Participate in an internship with San Francisco Cinematheque or BAMPFA.
- Challenge yourself with the Honors Program in Film and Media.
Curriculum
The core courses for Film and Media include a two-semester sequence in the history of silent and sound film, a course on the documentary and the avant-garde film, a course in film theory, and a selection of courses on specific film genres, filmmakers, national cinemas, and new media. Although film production is not a focus of this program, department electives include digital video and screenwriting courses. Other production courses are also available in the Department of Art Practice and the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies, which are affiliated with the Department of Film and Media in the Digital Media Labs Consortium, a cooperative effort to combine digital-media production equipment, labs, and courses of instruction.
Learn more at filmmedia.berkeley.edu/undergraduate-program
Summer Certificate
The three-course Summer Sessions certificate in Film and Media Industries and Professions is designed for students pursuing careers in film and media. The curriculum exposes students to industry structures that govern a broad range of media professions, fields, and practices. Courses include FILM 176 Pitch to Production, FILM 177 Entertainment Law, and FILM 178 Film & Media Professions. Students are welcome to enroll in individual courses offered as part of the certificate program even if they do not intend to pursue the full certificate.
Declaring the Major
Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you are admitted to the College of Letters and Science as an undeclared student. You may declare the Film and Media major by submitting the Film and Media Major Declaration Form after completion of either FILM 10 or 20 with a letter grade of C or better, and once you have completed at least 30 units.
Please note that effective Fall 2026 students will no longer be allowed to waive out of/transfer a course for FILM 10 and 20.
The Film and Media program prepares our students for careers in film, as well as business, law, and the arts and humanities in general. Graduates of this program find success in many areas with many students pursuing graduate school in film or the humanities, others entering law school or MBA programs, and others finding exciting work in media.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Film and Media. The College of Letters & Science spotlights career pathways for students in the Arts & Humanities, and offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Administrative Assistant
- Content Creator
- Creative Developer
- Product Manager
- Production Assistant
- Production Coordinator
- Research Assistant
- Set Production Assistant
- Teacher
- UIUX Designer
- Video Editor
- Video Production Assistant
- Videographer
- Writer
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Art History
- Film
- Film & Media Production
- Film & Media Studies
- Film Archival
- Fine Arts
- Information Management and Systems
- Journalism
- Public Policy
Jacob Gaboury, Faculty
Jacob Gaboury is an Associate Professor of Film and Media working in the areas of digital media, visual culture, media archaeology, and queer theory.
“Majoring in Film & Media trains students to understand and engage with the media they encounter every day, from film and television to digital media and the internet. With its emphasis on the history and theory of moving images, a degree in Film & Media opens up a world of possibilities for students interested in contemporary media industries.”
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and first-year guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the Film and Media major; start on core courses FILM 10 and 20.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or A&H Compass or Gateway course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization like CalTV, Delta Kappa Alpha, or Cinematic Arts and Production Club
- Find community service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
-
Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Declare the major after completing 30 units and FILM 10 or 20.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; check out options for Film and Media Studies abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor.
- Complete lower division requirements for the major with FILM 30, 35, or 45.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend film screenings at BAMPFA and local film festivals.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Browse the Digital Media Lab and Library Media Collection.
- Consider joining the BAMPFA Student Committee.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Begin building your network and exploring career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; check out internships in Film and Media.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin taking upper division core and elective requirements in the major.
- Satisfy the American Cultures requirement.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Consider applying to the Film and Media Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team
- Check out College Corps and the Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Explore the Berkeley Center for New Media.
- Submit your original work to the Eisner Film and Video Prize
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Receive thesis guidance in the Townsend Center Honors Thesis Workshop.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Film and Media Industries and Performance and Culture.
- Learn about applying to graduate school with the PhD Admissions Bootcamp
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and transfer guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- View Film and Media info for transfer students.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Complete FILM 10 and 20, and other lower division requirements and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization like CalTV, Delta Kappa Alpha, or Cinematic Arts and Production Club
- Find support at the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement
- Begin exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Work on upper division core and elective requirements for the major.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; check out options for Film and Media Studies abroad.
- Explore new interests in a Changemaker or DeCal course.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor.
- Consider applying to the Film and Media Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend film screenings at BAMPFA and local film festivals.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Find community service opportunities through the Public Service Center; check out College Corps and the Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Browse the Digital Media Lab and Library Media Collection.
- Consider joining the BAMPFA Student Committee.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Begin building your network and exploring career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; check out internships in Film and Media.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue working on upper division requirements.
- Satisfy the American Cultures requirement.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Transfer Peer Advocate or member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Check out the Berkeley Center for New Media.
- Submit your original work to the Eisner Film and Video Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator
- Interested in public service? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and US Department of State.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Townsend Center or Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHETOR 100 Writing at the University
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship the summer before your first semester.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Film and Media Industries and Performance and Culture.
- Learn about applying to graduate school in the PhD Admissions Bootcamp.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Film and Media or choosing a major?
The Film and Media Department offers undergraduate advising for students interested in Film and Media. Advising is available from both the Undergraduate Major Advisor and Faculty Major Advisors on a drop-in and appointment basis. The Undergraduate Major Advisor works with students regarding major requirements and policies, maintains student records, handles the distribution of advisor codes, and certifies major requirements for degree eligibility. Faculty Major Advisors answer questions about film courses, faculty areas of expertise and interest, courses equivalents or waivers, internships, and other related topics. For more information, visit filmmedia.berkeley.edu/undergraduate-program/undergraduate-advising
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu
Related Programs
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