Department of Cinematic Arts
Helping Students Tell Redemptive Stories
Through rigorous coursework and hands-on learning opportunities, APU’s cinematic arts program equips students to enter the industry and transform others with cinematic storytelling. Located just 25 miles from Hollywood, we offer one-of-a-kind entertainment industry experiences, including a yearly showcase event—allowing students from all programs to present work to industry representatives and film agents. On our campus, students benefit from small class sizes and faculty-mentors with relevant field experience, along with access to state-of-the-art filmmaking equipment such as green screens and a Foley stage.
Whether future animators or filmmakers, our students graduate prepared to glorify God as they excel in their craft.
APU Program Earns Recognition
Industry-leading publication The Hollywood Reporter commended APU’s cinematic arts program as one of the best local film schools near the entertainment hub of Hollywood.
APU Cinematic Arts: Training Transformative Storytellers
If you dream of becoming a filmmaker, Azusa Pacific University is the perfect place to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the industry.
Many factors go into our top cinematic arts program, including our location next to the entertainment business, unique opportunities to start making films as a freshman, industry-standard software and hardware, industry experienced faculty, and small class sizes providing individualized attention.
Renewable, Talent-Based Scholarship
The School of the Arts invites incoming undergraduate students in Cinematic Arts to apply for our renewable talent-based scholarship, which supports your educational journey and can be combined with other merit and need-based aid.
Majors eligible to apply include:
- BA in Animation and Visual Effects
- BA in Cinematic Arts
- BFA in Cinematic Arts Production
- BA in Screenwriting
Cinematic Arts Scholarship applications are now available through the APU Undergraduate Application.
- Complete your APU Undergraduate Application
- Select Cinematic Arts: Cinematic Arts, BA as your major
Fall 2025 Priority Deadline: February 15, 2025
Spring 2025 Priority Deadline: December 1, 2024
Plan a Visit
Applicants are encouraged to visit a class or meet with one of our professors. Please fill out a Visitation Form to plan a visit with us! We look forward to meeting you.
For more information on the scholarship application process, contact the School of the Arts at (626) 815-4600 or [email protected].
Varland ’25 Radiates Ambition, Optimism, and Love for Others
Few enter college with a firm grasp of their calling, but for Sid Varland ’25, being able to hone his skills as a track and field athlete and a cinematic arts major made him certain that Azusa Pacific University was where he is meant to be.
His ambition, optimism, and love for others radiates in every one of his projects and adventures.
Meet Your Faculty and Staff Mentors
In each cinematic arts program, faculty bring years of industry experience to the classroom, guiding their students to become difference makers in television and film. Once students have completed the program, they have access to our network of alumni who have risen to positions of authority in the entertainment industry, where they can help us place interns and recommend our top graduates for jobs in their organizations.
Browse Cinematic Arts FacultyBrowse Cinematic Arts Staff
