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Outdoor Filmmaking Certificate

Credential
Certificate

Duration
1 year(s)

The Outdoor Filmmaking Certificate at CapU is offered exclusively in Squamish and allows you to combine your love of the outdoors with creating stunning, impactful films.

Surrounded by staggering natural beauty in every direction, the Squamish area has long been a home to world-renowned outdoor filmmakers and a hub for adventure film culture.

This 42-credit certificate program can be completed in three terms and offers the rare opportunity to combine hands-on technical filmmaking training with a commitment to conservation and outdoor safety.

The program's courses focus on documentary filmmaking, with a selection of classes in tourism management, outdoor recreation management and communications to add depth.

You'll take courses in documentary production, sound recording, storytelling, directing, lighting and camera work and post-production. These courses will help you develop your skills in camera operation, effective research strategies across many subject areas and crafting compelling stories.

You’ll also benefit from industry expert sessions, where experienced outdoor and environmental filmmakers share their expertise in guest lectures and workshops.

Whether you dream of creating eco-documentaries, filming adventure sports, or working in sustainable media production, the Outdoor Filmmaking Certificate equips you with the expertise to bring your vision to life.

Contact us today to find out more.

CapU School of Motion Picture Arts

A portrait of Doreen Manuel, the Director of the Bosa Centre for Film and Animation.

Get mentorship from industry pros

Instructors at CapU (like Doreen Manuel) are active in B.C.’s film and tourism industries and provide valuable insight and guidance as you sharpen your skills.

Career paths

  • Adventure guide
  • Cinematographer
  • Director
  • Editor
  • Filmmaker
  • Grip
  • Lighting crew
  • Outdoor educator
  • Producer
  • Production crew
  • Screenwriter

Build job-ready film industry skills

Through fieldwork, practical assignments and storytelling courses, you’ll gain the skills to produce stunning, impactful films while respecting and preserving the environment.

Get well-rounded education

To broaden your certificate, you’ll also receive training in environmental stewardship, business writing for films, wilderness travel and risk management in tourism and outdoor recreation.

Be inspired at CapU Squamish

Our campus is minutes from outdoor adventure, with hiking, biking, skiing and climbing minutes away. We also offer student housing, a full-service restaurant and on-campus recreation facilities.

Related links

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Contact us

For more information about the Outdoor Filmmaking Certificate 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

Important dates

Applications open

Mar 7, 2025 – Sep 2, 2025

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 3, 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?

English language requirements

English is the language of instruction at CapU. All applicants are required to demonstrate competence in the English language prior to admission.

If English is not your first language or you’ve received your education in a language other than English, you must meet our English Language Requirements.

Basic requirements

  • High school graduation
  • A minimum grade point average of 2.0 (60%) calculated on English Studies 12 or English 12 or English First Peoples 12 and two academic Grade 12 courses

Program-specific requirements

  • Video of Intent

Additional information

  • Students will record and submit for review a video response to a questionnaire provided by the department. Contact the department for more information on submission guidelines.

Current high school students

Current Grade 12 students can be conditionally accepted based on final Grade 11 grades or interim Grade 12 grades. Students can upload proof of grades (e.g. unofficial transcripts, copies of report cards) through EducationPlannerBC when applying to Capilano University. Final acceptance will be based on high school graduation and having met the program specific requirements.

Note: All B.C. applicants must release their grades to CapU via the BC Ministry of Education at Student Transcripts Services (STS). Please do this as soon as possible.

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

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.

Applicants submit their video of intent through the online portal, SlideRoom.

UPLOAD TO SLIDEROOM

Applicant Instructions: Video of Intent

Your Video of Intent is a chance for us to virtually meet you and understand why this program is a great fit for you.

This is your opportunity to introduce yourself, share your passion for filmmaking and the outdoors and explain what draws you to this program.

The maximum duration for the video is two minutes.

Some suggested topics you may choose to talk about:

  • Documentary filmmaking — what sparked your interest?
  • What do you hope to get out of this program?
  • What is your background in outdoor adventure, nature or environmental advocacy?
  • Why does the hands-on learning part of the program appeal to you?

Video of Intent formatting tips

  • Videos will not be evaluated for production quality. Ideally this should be a single take, with no or minimal edits.
  • We recommend sitting in front of your laptop/camera/tablet/phone and speaking directly to the camera.
  • Make sure you’re clearly visible and audible. Test your recording to ensure your voice is clear and the lighting is adequate.
  • Start with a quick introduction: "Hi, my name is [your name]." After that, what you share is up to you. Simple and unrehearsed is fine.
  • We suggest you dress casually as you would for a school day and place yourself in front of a neutral background (indoor or outdoor).
  • Be sure your video is in landscape orientation so it can be viewed correctly on a laptop computer.

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:

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.

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.

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

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

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

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 $8,947 $1,785 $10,732
Year 2 $4,352 $1,002 $5,354
Total $13,299 $2,787 $16,086

Tuition & Fees Estimator

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Entrance Awards

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

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Term Awards

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

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The courses below reflect the current program profile. Login to myCapMap to see the program requirements for the term you started.

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Required Courses

First Term

Total credits: 15.25

Required:
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 109Directing the Documentary, Part I1.00 credits
REC 152Environmental Stewardship I3.00 credits

 

Second Term

Total credits: 14.50

Required:
DOCS 108Documentary Studies3.00 credits
DOCS 124Advanced Lighting and Camera1.00 credits
DOCS 126Documentary Story Part II1.50 credits
DOCS 131Documentary Producing3.00 credits
REC 148Introduction to Wilderness Travel3.00 credits
TOUR 208Risk Management for Tourism and Outdoor Recreation3.00 credits

 

Third Term

Total credits: 12.25

Required:
CMNS 131Business Writing for Documentary3.00 credits
DOCS 108Documentary Studiescont’d
DOCS 122Documentary Production II6.00 credits
DOCS 129Directing the Documentary, Part II1.00 credits
DOCS 133Sound Design for Documentary0.75 credits
DOCS 147Documentary Audio and Video Post-Production: Advanced1.50 credits

Total program credits: 42.00

Learning outcomes

  • Produce and direct a specialized non-fiction production through the execution of a short subject film, addressing story structure, funding, planning, writing, and pitching.
  • Apply technical skills in the operation of camera, lighting, sound, and post-production systems, with specific attention to the requirements of outdoor and natural settings.
  • Employ effective research strategies across diverse subject areas, including history, politics, culture, and performing arts, to inform and enhance documentary storytelling.
  • Collaborate as a professional member of a creative and technical team, adhering to industry standards and demonstrating environmental responsibility and sustainable practices in production.
  • Create compelling visual narratives that engage audiences on themes such as environmental conservation, outdoor exploration, and cultural heritage, while evaluating the impact of these stories and adapting techniques to enhance their effectiveness.
  • Apply safety and risk management principles to identify, assess, and mitigate potential hazards in outdoor environments.

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