Film & Television Directing

Master of Fine Arts

Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media

MFACreative Arts, Media, and StorytellingCreativity & InnovationEthical ReasoningIn-Person

The Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television Directing at the School of Cinematic Arts is a highly selective program designed to cultivate a filmmaker’s voice through a rigorous filmmaking curriculum. Students will be educated in every discipline involved in the filmmaking process, as well as the business facets of the film industry, enabling them to be best prepared for a career in the industry following graduation. Graduates of the program will emerge with a rich portfolio, including numerous original short films and a complete significant thesis film.

DePaul has been named a top film school by The Hollywood Reporter for giving students real-world opportunities to work on Chicago’s film and television sets. Students have access to unparalleled resources including a dedicated 60,000 square-foot production space at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, the second largest production studio in North America and home to major Hollywood productions including Power Book IV: Force, Chicago Fire, The Bear, and The Chi. Students also have access to state-of-the-art camera gear, including Alexa, Amira and Red Cameras, as well as two sprinter vans and an array of professional lighting equipment.

Admission and Aid

Visit the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media’s Graduate Admission Office page for additional information, FAQs, to schedule an appointment with an admissions officer and more.

Admission Requirements
Get information about the application deadlines and specific materials required for admission to this program.
Scholarships and Aid
We offer scholarships to incoming CDM graduate students, including the DePaul Cinema Studios Scholarship, which covers full-tuition for the entire three-year (96-credit-hour) program. Learn more about scholarships and other forms of aid, including assistantships and funded research opportunities.
Graduate Ambassadors
Get a current student’s perspective. Graduate Ambassadors are available to answer questions about DePaul, the program’s curriculum, and, most importantly, their personal experience.
Alumni

Since graduating our first class in 2005, we’ve watched our School of Cinematic Arts alumni become experienced professionals in the film and television industry.

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Alex Thompson
MFA '17
Alex is an independent film director based in Chicago. His first feature, Saint Frances received both the Audience and Special Jury Recognition for Breakthrough Voice awards at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival. His most recent feature, Ghostlight , premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews.
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Linh Tran
MFA '20
Linh is a Vietnamese filmmaker residing in Chicago. Her works include both fiction and documentary films, where she explores familial relationships, memories of childhood and her own journey reckoning with her identity as an Asian immigrant. Linh's short films have screened at various film festivals, including the Dublin International Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Indy Shorts, and Athens International Film+Video Festival. Her debut feature film Waiting for the Light to Change took the Narrative Grand Jury Prize at the 2023 Slamdance Film Festival.
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Julio César Padilla
MFA '20
Julio is an international writer, producer, and director. His MFA thesis filmed in Mexico, The Island of the Dolls , received multiple awards and nominations around the world including the Best Drama award at the 25th LA Shorts International Film Festival. He recently helmed a solo film project in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, handling every aspect from writing to directing. Julio says his DePaul journey boosted his confidence and it’s thanks to his education that the film, Colors of the Jungle, won the Native American Social, Political, & Cultural Impact Award at the 2024 Latino & Native American Film Festival.
Faculty

Work side-by-side with accomplished faculty who've shaped the industry.

Wendy Roderweiss
Wendy has written and produced numerous short films that have screened at film festivals across the country. Her most recent project, the TV pilot Inferno, made its rounds on the festival circuit before streaming on The Roku Channel. Wendy has produced the School of Cinematic Arts Visiting Artists Series since 2013.
James Choi
James’s films have screened widely on the festival circuit. His first feature, Made in China, won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative at SXSW and was distributed by IFC Films. His second feature, Empty Space, was released nationally on Xfinity On Demand.
Shayna Connelly
Shayna is a writer/director/producer whose work explores the concept of hauntings. Her films have screened internationally at festivals and galleries.
Kevin Cagnolotti
Kevin is an accomplished sound designer with a passion for teaching. He’s worked on notable projects for clients that include The Onion, AV Club, and Periscope Audio and Post, and has taught sound design and media arts classes for several years.

DePaul Cinespace Studios

CDM boasts a one-of-a-kind, nearly 60,000-square-foot professional production facility formed in alliance with Cinespace Chicago Film Studios.

Premiere Film Festival

Our annual Premiere Film Festival showcases the best of student work in cinema and animation with awards covering all facets of filmmaking, from screenwriting to post production.

LA Quarter

Experience the inner workings of Hollywood first hand by living in LA, taking classes on a historic studio lot, and interning at high profile companies aligning with your professional aspirations.

Visiting Artists Series
Gain valuable insight into the industry from established professionals in the field.
DePaul Cinema Collaborative
Become a member of a student organization that fosters new collaborations, arming you with focused information, industry opportunities, closer proximity to guest lecturers, and a better sense of what it takes to succeed in the industry.
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Project Bluelight
Work as a crew member on a professional independent film or television pilot.
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