Professional opportunities
Filmmaking II visit to CineGround Media Inc.
Montreal’s international caliber film industry employs over 35,000 employees, is host to over 500 commercial and independent companies AND generates an annual average business volume of 1.25 billion dollars. Montreal is a hotspot for Hollywood films and has been used in movies such as X Men, Notebook, Life of Pi, Catch Me If You Can and The Day After Tomorrow. There are a number of film studios in Montreal, including the Academy award-winning post-production house, Technicolor, Clyde Henri Studios, Mel’s Cite du Cinema, Cinground, and Cinesite. The special effects industry is also highly renowned from the Oscar-winning company Framestore, and other well-known companies such as LeclercDumont Inc., and Rodeo FX. Find out more about Montreal’s film industry at the Quebec Film and Television Council website.
During the semester in Montreal, students will have the opportunity to:
- Learn with film industry professionals as instructors in the classroom.
- Attend film festivals such as Fantasia, World Film Festival, FNC, RIDM, Film Black Montreal, and Nuits d’Afriques.
- And go on studio tours to local companies such as Mel’s Cite du Cinema and Cinegound.
John Gibbons (FLM ’19) interning at Good Vibe People
An internship in Montreal can really impact a student’s semester by providing local contacts, professional experience, additions to portfolios or resumes, and a place to learn more about the culture of Montreal!
Past filmmaking students have had the opportunity to broaden their horizons by interning at a few of the many local companies, such as Nomad Industries, Eyesteelfilm and Picture this. The benefit of interning at an independent company is that you’re directly part of the action and get to experience how the business works from development, production to post-production. Past interns have worked as editors, filming production crew, graphic designers (posters and promotional goods) and in distribution. Check out our internship page to find out more.
Internship testimonials
- Read about Anna’s internship at Eyesteelfilm
- Read about John’s internship at Good Vibe People
- Read about Kelsey’s internship at Nomad Industries
Students working on a project during the Summer Film Program
Film students can also study in Montreal during the summer as part of the Montreal Filmmaking Summer Program. As the vibrant cultural capital of Québec, Montréal serves as the urban backdrop for this highly creative and immersive 6 credit Urban Indie Filmmaking course. From writing screenplays, documentary treatments, to mastering the tools of cinematography, sound recording, and video editing, students will engage with the film production workflow, including how to promote and distribute your films.
Here are a few highlight reels made by past students of the Montreal Summer Film Program!
Fall
- World Film festival (August-September)
- International Black Film Festival (September)
- Journees de la Culture (September)
- China-Canada International Film Festival (September)
- Stop Motion Film Festival (September)
- Au Contraire Film Festival (October)
- International Freeski Film Festival (October)
- FNC Festival du Nouveau Cinema (October)
- South Asian Film Festival of Montreal (October – November)
- Cinemania (November)
- RIDM (Documentary festival) (November)
- Image+Nation – Montreal LGBTQ Film Festival (November-December)
Spring
- Rendez-vous du cinema quebecoise (Feb-March)
- International Festival of Films on Arts (FIFA) (March)
- Montréal International Children’s Film Festival (March)
- International Ethnographic Film Festival of Quebec (FIFEQ) (March-April)
- Cinebazar (April)
- Derapage (April)
- Vues d’Afrique (April)
- Montreal Underground Film Festival (MUFF) (May)
- Festival Acces Asie (May)
- FCIM – Festival du Cinéma Israélien de Montréal (May)
- Concordia Universtiy Film Festival (May)
Summer
- Effets MTL VFX and Animation (June)
- Fantasia Film Festival (July-August)