Department of Film and Animation

Conservatory Establishes Department of Film and Animation

January 2025: Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts is home to the newly established School of Theatre, Film and Animation, which includes the Department of Film and Animation, formerly the Department of Cinema Arts. Changing from departments to schools allows Point Park to strengthen its role as an educational leader in arts and entertainment by continuing to adapt to industry needs. Learn more.

Our Department of Film and Animation programs are designed for a new generation of storytellers. Through hands-on, interactive learning, students are completely immersed in their studies from day one. Classes are taught by award-winning industry professionals, in a real-world environment with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

Film and Animation Alumni

Film Production Grad Highlights Work as a Visual Effects Editor on "The Mandalorian," "Star Wars: Skeleton Crew," and More

"Point Park quickly gave me the chance to collaborate and create. In my second semester, I was given hands-on opportunities to make short films."

Point Park University Animation Grad Treven Carter '23 Lands Fellowship with DreamWorks

"The objective of the fellowship is to build networks with industry professionals, attend workshops to extend knowledge within the animation industry and gain mentorship from individuals who work at DreamWorks."

Point Park’s Emphasis on Storytelling Prepares Film Production Alumna Milky Tran '20 for Filmmaking Career

"I loved that you began making and experimenting with film your freshman year ... I’m grateful that Point Park had such a heavy focus on storytelling and allowed me to go through the full process of making a film many, many times."

M.F.A. Screenwriting and Playwriting Alumnus John Spare's Screenplay "Condition of Return" Opening in Six Major Markets

"If you dream of being a screenwriter, it's imperative that you surround yourself with like-minded creatives. I was able to watch, learn and be involved in the work of my talented classmates, and that is something that can't be experienced writing in a room by yourself."

Pittsburgh Penguins Hires Animation Grad Giuseppe Esposito '19 as a Motion Graphics Producer

"One of the reasons I chose Point Park was its location. It was hard to beat for me. The equipment and facilities for the animation program are top-notch as well, so make use of it all."

Film Production Alumna Ashley C. Stokes Receives Four Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards

"Having four regional Emmy’s under my belt after my first year working for PBS is humbling. It inspires me to continue to share stories that make a difference in our communities and eventually around the world."

Screenwriting Major Gaining Professional Experience as Artistic Intern for Production with Pittsburgh CLO

"Point Park was the only undergraduate film program I applied to that focused solely on narrative filmmaking and storytelling. Being in a narrative program gives me the space to really flex my creativity, learn from my mistakes and grow as an artist."

Point Park University's Stephanie Kyung Sun Walters is the 2022 Terrence McNally Award Winner in Playwriting

"For a working professional who doesn’t want to uproot their entire life/family, this program is a great fit ... The educators are here to help you succeed when experiencing new mediums or tackling a different format."

Meet Our Faculty

Andrew Halasz, chair and director of film production program

"The best thing we can do for students is to help them produce work — make films, create animations and write screenplays."

Meet Andrew Halasz

Meet Full-Time Faculty

Jonathan Trueblood, director of animation program

"Our professors are working artists who continue to work in the field while teaching. We use this experience and knowledge to direct changes to the curriculum and ensure that our students are fully prepared to work in the field upon graduating."

Meet Jonathan Trueblood

Nelson Chipman, director of screenwriting program

"While the screenwriting program equips students with the necessary skills they need to find success as storytellers, we also help them gain what is needed for success in life, which is a foundational understanding of human nature and how their voices fit into the world."

Meet Nelson Chipman

Matt Pelfrey, M.F.A. low-residency program director

"Our program and the writers who teach it aren't in individual silos — we work together to help all the students find what they're looking for as artists and writers."

Meet Matt Pelfrey

Film and Animation News

Point Park University Presents First-Ever Steel City High School Film and Animation Festival

Get Career-Ready with: Austin Zarnick '26, Film Production Major, Digital Marketing Minor

Visual Effects Artist H Haden Hammond, Known for His Work on "Captain America," "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Deadpool & Wolverine," Among Others, Joins Point Park's Animation Faculty

Point Park Leans Into Arts Education for Growth

Faculty Feature: Meet Kyu Park, Department of Film and Animation

Point Park University Students Film a Doritos Commercial for Super Bowl Ad Contest

Point Park University's Renowned Conservatory of Performing Arts Establishes School of Dance and School of Theatre, Film and Animation

Film and Animation Faculty Feature: Jason Georgiades, Visiting Artist in Residence

Film and Animation Pre-College Programs Provide Hands-On Experience to High School Students

The Camera Department Hosts Professional Equipment Workshop for Point Park University Film Majors

Point Park University Offers Complete in Four Years Bachelor of Fine Arts to MBA Degree Program

Point Park University Introduces Self-Designed, Low-Residency M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts

Point Park University Launches Scholarship Program for High School Students Who Visit Downtown Campus

Nicky Snyder Supports Students and Faculty as Assistant to the Chair of the Department of Film and Animation

MovieMaker Magazine Ranks Pittsburgh as a Best Place to Live and Work as a Movie Maker

Michael Bagnato Finds Joy in Teaching the Next Generation of Filmmakers

Film Instructor Diana Stoughton Receives Oscar Nomination for Her Work on "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

Floyd Norman, Disney's First African-American Animator, Leads Master Class at Point Park

Garfield Lemonius Named Dean of the Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University and Artistic Director of the Pittsburgh Playhouse

Point Park University Students and Alumni Receive Robert L. Vann Media Awards from the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation

Film Production Faculty Train Students to Seamlessly Transition to Role of Professional Filmmaker

Point Park University’s Cinema Arts Program Partners with the Sarah Jones Film Student Safety Program

Award-Winning Actor, Writer and Director Bryan Cranston Visits Point Park University

Tolin FX Hosts Special Effects and Blood Workshop with Theatre and Film Majors

Meet Film and Animation Students & Alumni

Get Career-Ready with: Adam Snook, B.A. Cinema Arts Major

"I chose the B.A. cinema arts program because cinema students are on set their ﬁrst semester. This hands-on experience helps you discover so much about your future career path."

Animation Major Noah Ondik Works Alongside Creatives at Animal Production Studio

"Without the knowledge I acquired in my animation classes on various programs, I would not be able to understand what Animal staff are referring to when discussing projects in meetings or when new design techniques are being taught to me."

Film Production Major Katt Kersting Interns at PMI Digital

"When you leave Point Park, you take with you a resume/portfolio filled with projects and experiences, a network of industry connections and knowledge on all aspects of filmmaking."

B.F.A. Screenwriting Major's Work Awarded at Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival

"The greatest experience I've had at Point Park is meeting so many people dedicated to the craft. It's one thing to know how to write a script, but it's another to have people to fall back on for input and support."

Get Career-Ready with: Cole Sholtis '24, Cinema Arts Major

"Point Park serves as a perfect school for expanding upon my creative and technical skills to tell a story in the cinema arts program, and also challenges me academically in the accounting program."

M.F.A. Low-Residency Student Profile: Meet Patrick Cannon, Actor, Writer and Producer

"As an actor, I have been blessed to work in Pittsburgh. Theatre and film at their core are simply telling a story. As an M.F.A. student, working on storytelling from the other side of the page/printer has provided me with insight into my other roles in collaborative environments."

Conservatory Establishes Department of Film and Animation

Film and Animation Alumni

Meet Our Faculty

Film and Animation News

Meet Film and Animation Students & Alumni

Point Park University

201 Wood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1984

Ready to learn more?

Conservatory Establishes Department of Film and Animation

Film and Animation Alumni

Meet Our Faculty

Film and Animation News

Meet Film and Animation Students & Alumni

Point Park University

201 Wood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1984

Ready to learn more?

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