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Faculty
Fine & Applied Arts

School
School of Motion Picture Arts

We're meeting the needs of emerging documentary filmmakers in a rapidly changing industry.

In the Documentary Certificate program, you'll build the skills to produce, direct, write and edit documentaries or specialized productions under award-winning filmmakers' mentorship.

You'll understand how production cycles work, from story concept and development to pre-production, production, post-production, distribution, and marketing phases.

Join the many grads who have gone on to make award-winning films and work in various entry-level roles, from research to post-production to producing community television.

CapU Documentary student setting up a shot with her camera.

Find your voice on film

You'll gain essential skills, including mastering hands-on production work, filmmaking form and aesthetics, sound design and more.

Career paths

  • Documentary filmmaker
  • Instructional video producer
  • Interactive media designer
  • Public health videographer
  • Television producer

Become a one-person production house

The Documentary Certificate program is modeled on the same production cycles that professional filmmakers and studios use, with significant importance placed on storytelling and story development. 

You'll build the foundational skills needed to fundraise, produce, light, direct, write and edit documentary or factual entertainment with mentorship from our experienced instructors.

Documentary Certificate

Looking to bring your creative vision to life on screens large and small? Capilano University’s eight-month Documentary Certificate program is for you.

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Contact us

For more information about the School of Motion Picture Arts program contact us today.

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Information sessions

Plan ahead with this calendar of important program information sessions and open houses.

Upcoming info sessions

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Intakes

Fall 2025

Location
North Vancouver

Course load
Full-time

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 1, 2024 – Sep 2, 2025

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jun 23, 2025

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 25, 2025

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Review this program's admission requirements

First-time applicants submit your application on EducationPlannerBC

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee of $50, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs. 
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If you are currently in Grade 12, you must request that the Ministry of Education submit your transcript directly to Capilano University.
  • Documents must be in the original language of issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.
Apply on EPBC

Receive an acknowledgement email

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Submit your official transcripts

For students who have previously attended post-secondary, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts for transfer credit.

Please send all official documents to:

Registrar's Office
Library Building, Room LB152
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Official university or college transcripts

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Certified documents

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

Original academic documents

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Get ready for your first day

Once you've been accepted into a program, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
  • If you wish to receive transfer credits, please submit official university/college/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced Placements (AP) transcripts either electronically or by mail:

     

    Registrar's Office
    Library Building, Room LB152
    2055 Purcell Way
    North Vancouver, BC
    V7J 3H5

New Students

Review this program's admission requirements

Learn about CapU's admission requirements and submit your application

Most CapU programs need proof that you:

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of C$135, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs.
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If your original transcripts and supporting documents are not written in English, please submit a translated copy.
Apply on EPBC

Receive an acknowledgement email

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.
Funding for International Students

Submit your official transcripts

You've already sent digital copies of your transcripts to EducationPlannerBC as part of your CapU application, but we also need physical copies of your official high school, college or university transcripts.

If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Please send your official documents to:

Capilano University
Centre for International Experience, Room LB127
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Official high school, university, or college transcripts

Students must submit official high school and university or college transcripts for admission.

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing high school, university, or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Certified documents

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

Original academic documents

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Receive letter of offer

If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a letter of offer in your myCapU email inbox.

  • You will need to confirm your acceptance into the program by paying a tuition deposit outlined in your letter of offer.
  • This deposit will go towards your first-semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.

Receive letter of acceptance and apply for a study permit

After paying your tuition deposit, you will receive a letter of acceptance in your myCapU inbox. This may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit.

  • Depending on your citizenship, you may also need to apply for an entry visa.
Permits & Visas

Get ready for your first day

Once you've been accepted into a program and have applied for your study permit, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted international students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
Info for Admitted International Students

Apply Now

Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

Apply now to CapU

Transfer Students

Find out how you can transfer your credits from another post-secondary institution to CapU.

Applying as a Transfer Student

Returning Students

If you're returning to CapU to complete your program or to apply into a new program, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Contact Registrar's Office

Switching Programs

If you want to change your program of study, you need to submit a new application to CapU.

Re-apply to CapU

Tuition and Fees

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $11,725 $1,789 $13,514
Total $11,725 $1,789 $13,514
Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $28,562 $1,789 $30,351
Total $28,562 $1,789 $30,351

Tuition & Fees Estimator

Get a detailed breakdown of the tuition and fees for your program.

Calculate my fees

Entrance Awards

All new CapU students can fund their education with entrance awards.

See if I qualify

Term Awards

Continuing your studies at CapU? You may be eligible for awards, too.

Take me to the awards

On this page

Required Courses

First Term

Total credits: 18.25

Required:
CMNS 131Business Writing for Documentary3.00 credits
DOCS 101Documentary Equipment Field Use1.50 credits
DOCS 102Documentary Production I6.00 credits
DOCS 103Sound Recording for Documentary0.75 credits
DOCS 106Documentary Story Part I1.50 credits
DOCS 107Documentary Audio and Video Post-Production: Foundation1.50 credits
DOCS 108Documentary Studies3.00 credits
DOCS 109Directing the Documentary, Part I1.00 credits

 

Second Term

Total credits: 14.75

Required:
DOCS 108Documentary Studiescont’d
DOCS 122Documentary Production II6.00 credits
DOCS 124Advanced Lighting and Camera1.00 credits
DOCS 126Documentary Story Part II1.50 credits
DOCS 129Directing the Documentary, Part II1.00 credits
DOCS 131Documentary Producing3.00 credits
DOCS 133Sound Design for Documentary0.75 credits
DOCS 147Documentary Audio and Video Post-Production: Advanced1.50 credits

Total program credits: 33.00

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate competence in producing and directing documentary or specialized non‐fiction production through the execution and delivery of a documentary short subject film, considering story structure, funding, planning, writing and presenting or pitching.
  • Apply technical skills to carry out basic operation of camera, lighting, sound and post production systems.
  • Employ effective research strategies in a variety of subject areas, such as history, politics, culture, and performing arts.
  • Demonstrate professional standard behaviour as a cooperative member of a professional creative and technical team.

How to Declare

For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar.

Have a question?

Get in touch with us!

About this program

School of Motion Picture Arts
604 990 7868
Bosa Centre for Film and Animation
film@capilanou.ca

General inquiries

Student Information Services
Library Building, room LB152

604-984-4900
604-984-1798 (fax)
registration@capilanou.ca