Film studies

Vision Splendid Film Fest

Understand the world around you through film  

Over its 120-year history, film has evolved from a novelty item to a medium that informs every aspect of society and contemporary life. Film studies at UNSW will help you tell stories, share human experiences, document reality and expand perceptual horizons as an experimental art form.

Film plays a crucial role in establishing and critiquing cultural values and explores the most pressing issues in the world: its social inequalities, political injustices, aesthetic boundaries or ethical values. Film can also act as a source of information, legal evidence and inform medical procedures and training.

Become a visual storyteller 

As a student of UNSW, you’ll acquire foundational skills in film analysis and be introduced to a range of national cinemas, providing you with a window to other cultures. You’ll develop an understanding of the global film industry through the study of Hollywood cinema while also learning about the power and value of independent production.

Through your study of cinematic history, you'll attain a unique understanding of its place in the world and its power to determine what history is. You'll achieve fluency and literacy in the most powerful language in human history: the power of moving images.

Get practical experience from industry professionals 

Beyond film theory, your learning experience will also involve practical instruction in video production, project development, technical analysis and screenwriting. Armed with a camera, microphone, a studio, and a screen, you’ll be able to tell your narrative, your way.

Join our lively film society, student film and video production groups and put theory into practice with access to our multimedia labs and a range of other practical resources. 

Create a valuable network 

Our affiliations and internships with film and media organisations will equip you with real industry experience and valuable industry connections. We frequently collaborate with the Sydney Film Festival, the Vision Splendid Film Festival, the Persian Film Festival, the Ritz Cinema Randwick and many more organisations across Australia.

Study