Start Your Career in Outdoor Filmmaking at CapU Squamish

Make your passion for adventure storytelling and the natural world a fulfilling profession.

This article was originally written for Capilano University by Jasper Chu.

Make your passion for adventure storytelling and the natural world a fulfilling profession through the Outdoor Filmmaking Certificate at Capilano University’s Squamish Campus.

Study in Canada’s “adventure capital”

Capilano University’s newest program is hosted at our newest campus in beautiful Squamish, British Columbia. Known as Canada’s “adventure capital,” Squamish offers plenty of access to outdoor activities and adventure, with opportunities to rock climb, mountain bike and hike, white-water raft, scuba dive, snowshoe, and ski.

The Squamish Campus overlooks the breathtaking Tantalus Mountain Range, an inspiring view for all future artists, activists, and entrepreneurs.

Just up the hill from downtown Squamish, you’ll hone your cinematic skills to tell stories about the region's natural beauty through our 12-month certificate program.

Build your filmmaking skillset

The certificate is offered full-time and in person, allowing you to build professional confidence, a versatile skillset and be prepared for the future.

Whether new to filmmaking or experienced with a camera, you’ll build your skillset in camera work, lighting, sound, production, directing, and storytelling.

With a focus on professional hands-on project work and field training when approaching film production and lectures on theory and history in industry dynamics, you’ll build a portfolio of short film projects.

Later, you’ll work towards producing and directing a specialized non-fiction production by completing a short subject film, addressing story structure, funding, planning, writing, and pitching.

The certificate includes courses in tourism management and outdoor recreation, so you’ll also learn about sustainability, community engagement and global consciousness while taking on leadership and responsibility outdoors.

Learn where you film

Our Squamish campus sits at the head of the UNESCO-designated Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere region, a diverse ecosystem essential to traditional Squamish and Coast Salish life for 10,000 years.

In partnership with the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region, you’ll be in courses that deepen your connection and understanding of the local ecosystem, community, and the issues that affect them.

You’ll also learn what defines the region, including ecology, geography, Indigenous society, demographics, infrastructure, governance and approaches to sustainability.

Live on campus

Student housing is at the heart of our campus for students wanting to live where they study, in a calm, beautifully natural environment.

Our on-campus student housing offers single rooms, filled with natural daylight and ample storage for everything you need to feel at home. There’s space to study, dine, socialize, relax, and get inspired. We even have secure bike storage rooms.

Prepare to stand out

“The program is for those who want to take advantage of the opportunities in the region that have spawned a globally recognized outdoor adventure film industry based in Squamish and Whistler,” Brian Storey, the associate vice-president at CapU Squamish, says.

“When combined with our degrees in Business or Environment and Society, it offers unique skills to students relevant to environmental advocacy, outdoor and adventure filmmaking, and tourism.”

The Outdoor Filmmaking Certificate will prepare you with the skills to stand out, whether as an adventure guide, educator, or in film directing, editing, filmmaking, producing, screenwriting, or lighting and grip work.

Learn more

Interested? Visit the Outdoor Filmmaking Certificate program page to learn more about the program, dates, and deadlines and how to apply.

Want to know more about CapU Squamish? Register for our next Explore CapU Squamish Open House on Saturday, March 7.