The School of Cinematic Arts inspires creators and leaders in art and entertainment through a foundation of repeatable practice, honed craft, and technological skill. We provide support to help all filmmakers and animators flourish to the best of their ability. This includes special assistance and advocacy for students of high potential who face educational, social, or personal obstacles to their learning success. We believe that every student has the potential to succeed, and we are committed to helping them achieve their goals.

We nimbly adapt to our film and animation students’ evolving needs as they tell their stories and make work they care about. We believe that education should be flexible and responsive to the changing needs of our students. Our faculty and staff are committed to providing the resources and support necessary for our film and animation students to succeed.

We encourage humane, inclusive, and ethical collaborations among our students, preparing them to create change where needed. Our film and animation students are encouraged to work together across disciplines and backgrounds to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

DePaul’s fledgling film program started in January 2004 as the Digital Cinema Program. From the beginning, we embraced digital and the promise that this technology would democratize the medium. We were committed to increasing access to the means of production and to giving voice to underrepresented groups. Equipped with this technology, we encourage our students to find their creative voice, stay true to their personal vision, and to push the boundaries of cinema. This has not changed. We believe that the future impact, relevancy, and effectiveness of all art forms are dependent on these diverse voices.

Since day one, we also asked ourselves a series of questions: If we were going to school today, what would we want that school to look like? What courses would be taught? What equipment and facilities would we have? The goal was to create a truly innovative film school that offered the best education possible to our students combining a solid foundation in theory and aesthetics with a practical process-based curriculum. We still ask those questions and still have that same goal.

1. BA Animation
2. BFA Animation
3. BA Film and Television
4. BFA Film and Television
5. MA Animation
6. MS Film and Television
7. MFA Animation
8. MFA Creative Producing
9. MFA Documentary
10. MFA Film and Television Directing
11. MFA Screenwriting

Successful Graduates (alphabetically):

Abigail Bokun is currently the Production Coordinator for Nickelodeon Animation. https://akbokun.wixsite.com/akbokun/about-contact
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9326019/

Alex Thompson's (SCA MFA '17) latest feature, Ghostlight, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in February! The film has garnered attention from major industry publications, including The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, IndieWire, and Deadline. Additionally, Ghostlight was an official selection at SXSW 2023.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3930165/

Alexis Auditor (Director) Auditor is now Marvel’s director of physical production for its upcoming, original series on the new Disney Plus streaming service. Her current role is similar, minus the warehousing and transport of heroic props, costumes and set pieces.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2826015/

Andrew Wehde (SCA '07) won the 2024 Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single Camera Series for his work on The Bear. He has served as the primary cinematographer for 25 episodes of the hit TV series showcasing his exceptional skills behind the camera.
https://www.andrewwehde.com/

Chaz Bottoms (Animation) Currently living in Los Angeles, CA, Chaz has collaborated and produced content for Disney (Saturdays), Cartoon Network, AppleTV, Springhill, Lil Nas X, Adult Swim, Steve Harvey Global, John Legend, Sesame Street, TBS, Sony Music, Columbia Records, Atlantic Records, Snapchat, & Bleacher Report. He has worked as a storyboard artist and character designer for Nickelodeon Animation and as a Storyboard Artist at Netflix Animation.Chaz has received the Shadow & Act Rising Artist award, and has been selected as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment Lister.
https://www.chazbottoms.com/

Daniel Willis (SCA MS '12) Director/Producer (Saint Frances) Audience and Special Jury Recognition for Breakthrough Voice awards at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival.
Daniel continues his incredible work in television, directing episodes for popular series like Matlock, So Help Me Todd, and The Watchful Eye.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3930165/

Karim Lakhani (SCA '13) was named Head of Development at in & through Sony Pictures Entertainment, where he'll continue to lead innovative projects.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4186542/

Linh Tran (SCA MFA '21), the director of *Waiting for the Light to Change*, the Slamdance 2023 award winner, has signed with Rain Management. The film, created as part of SCA's Indie Studio, was also acquired by Freestyle Digital Media.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10263911/

Samantha Campos (SCA '12) was promoted to Vice President of Drama Development at CBS Studios.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5806934/

Vera Drew (SCA '11) took the helm of The People's Joker, writing, directing, and performing in this bold transgender coming-of-age film. The People's Joker has been screened internationally, including at the Chicago International Film Festival, and The Washington Post called it "the superhero movie of the year."
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3511314/

Links to student films:

No Melody (Music Video) 0:00:35
https://filmfreeway.com/submissions/28930036

Pimento (Animation) 0:05:50
https://filmfreeway.com/submissions/21143562

This land is your land (Experimental) 0:03:25
https://filmfreeway.com/submissions/25140515

Romeo & Juliet (Live Action) 0:06:47
https://filmfreeway.com/submissions/28920802

Call Them Athletes (Documentary) 0:18:40
https://filmfreeway.com/submissions/28899656

The Island of the Dolls (Live Action) 0:19:15
https://filmfreeway.com/submissions/18241727
PW: idollsMX#011321