how to cite a film in an essay

2 min read 07-02-2025

Knowing how to correctly cite a film in your essay is crucial for academic integrity. This guide will walk you through the process, covering different citation styles and offering helpful tips. Whether you're using MLA, APA, or Chicago style, you'll find the information you need here to properly attribute your sources.

Understanding Film Citations: Key Elements

Before diving into specific styles, let's identify the core information needed for any film citation:

Title: The full title of the film, italicized.
Director: The name of the director.
Distributor: The company that distributed the film.
Year: The year the film was released.
Medium: Specify how you accessed the film (e.g., DVD, streaming service). This is particularly important for newer citation styles.

Citation Styles: MLA, APA, and Chicago

Different academic disciplines prefer different citation styles. Here's how to cite a film in three of the most common styles:

MLA (Modern Language Association)

MLA style prioritizes brevity and simplicity. Here's the basic format for citing a film:

In-text citation: (Director's Last Name Year, Timecode). For example: (Spielberg 1993, 00:05:30) would indicate a specific moment at 5 minutes and 30 seconds into Steven Spielberg's 1993 film. If you don't have a timecode, omit that element.

Works Cited entry:

Director's Last Name, Director's First Name. Film Title. Distributor, Year. Medium.

Example:

Spielberg, Steven. Jurassic Park. Universal Pictures, 1993. DVD.

APA (American Psychological Association)

APA style emphasizes clarity and consistency. Film citations in APA follow a slightly different structure:

In-text citation: (Director's Last Name, Year). For example: (Spielberg, 1993). Again, a timecode isn't required unless specifically referencing a scene.

References entry:

Director's Last Name, Director's First Name. (Year). Film Title. [Medium]. Distributor.

Example:

Spielberg, S. (1993). Jurassic Park. [DVD]. Universal Pictures.

Chicago (Turabian)

Chicago style offers both a notes and bibliography system and an author-date system.

Notes-Bibliography System:

Footnote/Endnote: Director's First Name Last Name, Film Title (Distributor, Year). For example: ¹ Steven Spielberg, Jurassic Park (Universal Pictures, 1993).
Bibliography: Last Name, First Name. Film Title. Distributor, Year. For example: Spielberg, Steven. Jurassic Park. Universal Pictures, 1993.

Author-Date System:

In-text citation: (Spielberg 1993).
Bibliography entry: Same as the Notes-Bibliography system example above.

Handling Specific Scenarios

Some situations require additional considerations:

Multiple Directors: List all directors' last names, separated by commas.

Streaming Services: Specify the streaming service (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime Video).

Television Shows: For television shows, you'll need additional information like episode titles and season numbers. Consult your style guide for detailed instructions.

Documentaries: Treat documentaries like any other film.

Pro-Tip: Consult your style guide

Each citation style has its own nuances. Always refer to the most up-to-date version of your chosen style guide for the most accurate and complete information. Many universities and colleges offer online resources or style guides available through their libraries.

Conclusion

Accurately citing films in your essay shows respect for the filmmakers and demonstrates your commitment to academic honesty. Mastering these citation styles will elevate the credibility of your work. Remember to consistently apply your chosen style throughout your paper. By following these guidelines and consulting your style guide, you can ensure that your film citations are both accurate and effective.