Vancouver Film School opened in January 1987 with a single class of six film students and has steadily expanded since. The school has multiple campus locations around Downtown Vancouver and comprises six buildings. VFS functions like a major studio, with multiple production facilities that are essential for creating content for film, TV, games, animation, design, digital applications, and more.
In 2004, VFS opened its first international Admissions office in Mumbai, India, and launched one of the first Game Design programs in North America. As part of the school’s 20th anniversary in 2007, in August 2006 one million dollars was set aside in scholarships for new students. In March 2008, Vancouver Film School and YouTube launched a competition for three full-tuition scholarships for the creators of the three videos submitted and voted as favorites by the YouTube community.
More recently, in 2018, VFS announced three ‘Kevin Smith Scholarships’ in Acting, Writing, and Film Production covering full tuition. Smith also funded thirteen partial scholarships and personally selected the recipients from over nine hundred applications. In February 2019, the school announced the ‘Emily Bett Rickards Acting Scholarship’, a partnership between VFS and Rickards, to fund a full scholarship for both of the school’s acting programs, as well as additional partial funding of $250,000 for other students.
VFS offers one-year, hands-on production programs across a wide range of disciplines in the entertainment arts. These include Film Production, 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Classical Animation, Acting for Film & Television, Digital Design, Entertainment Business Management, Foundation Visual Art & Design, Game Design, Makeup Design for Film & Television, Sound Design for Visual Media, and Writing for Film & Television. The school also runs a four-month Acting Essentials course and a 6-month Digital Character Animation program.
The educational approach at VFS is immersive, efficient, and transformational. The school places education in outstanding facilities with master instructors and mentors, and regularly updates and realigns curriculum to be in lockstep with the most current industry standards. This is all designed to help students originate, produce, and exhibit their best possible creative and technical work.
From an education perspective, VFS prides itself on being “unassailable.” Their one-year programs go deep and are designed to be immersive and efficient. The school has an education department that specializes in curriculum design and preparing industry specialists to be effective instructors.
Vancouver Film School has played a significant role in the development of Vancouver as a major center for film and television production, often referred to as “Hollywood North.” The school’s presence has contributed to the growth of the local entertainment industry and has helped establish Vancouver as a hub for creative talent.
VFS has also been at the forefront of adapting to changes in the entertainment industry. In 2004, it launched one of the first Game Design programs in North America, recognizing the growing importance of the gaming industry. The school has continued to evolve its programs to meet the changing demands of the entertainment arts sector.
Recent milestones in the school’s history include hosting the annual Game Design Expo in Vancouver, which began in January 2007, and partnering with YouTube to launch scholarship competitions. These initiatives demonstrate the school’s commitment to staying connected with industry trends and providing opportunities for emerging talent.
Vancouver Film School has been the training ground for numerous successful filmmakers, actors, animators, game designers, and other creative professionals. Notable alumni include Neill Blomkamp (Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director of “District 9”), Kevin Smith (director of “Clerks,” “Mallrats,” “Chasing Amy,” and other films), and Emily Bett Rickards (actress known for her role as Felicity Smoak on “Arrow”).
Other successful graduates include Gillian Armstrong, Philip Noyce, Rolf de Heer, Rachel Perkins, Ivan Sen, Warwick Thornton, and Kriv Stenders, as well as many cinematographers, film editors, composers, and screenwriters. The school’s alumni have achieved the highest levels of success on some of the highest-grossing content across the entertainment and design sectors.
When VFS says “results matter,” they are not only referring to what students accomplish at the school but what they will accomplish in their careers. These are the results that truly matter, and the sheer magnitude of achievements by VFS alumni is a testament to the quality of education provided by the institution.
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