Photography, Film, and Animation Degrees

Capture What You See.
Create What You Don’t.

When you capture moments, tell stories, or bring life to the screen, you’re sharing your vision with the world.

At RIT, students like you choose to pursue photography, film, or animation degrees because they recognize that technology is a powerful tool for transforming creativity into immersive experiences.

You’re not here to settle for the ordinary. You see the world differently. RIT is where your unique perspective will flourish. Whether you’re capturing still images, directing films, or animating new worlds, we provide the resources to push your future in visual storytelling to new dimensions.

What story will you tell?

Nationally Recognized

15

Pulitzer Prizes

11 RIT alumni have won 15 Pulitzer Prizes in Photojournalism

#6

Best Photography Graduate Program (MFA)

U.S. News & World Report, 2023-24

#13

Top Animation BFA Degrees

Animation Career Review, 2024

25

Top 25 American Film Schools

The Hollywood Reporter, 2024

Photography, Film, and Animation Degrees

RIT offers innovative photography, film, and animation majors that empower you to unlock your creative potential with cutting-edge photo and film tech and hands-on experience. With award-winning faculty and unparalleled facilities, you’ll engage in image creation and storytelling in a dynamic environment renowned for excellence. 

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The Tools You Need. The Spaces To Create.

When it comes to facilities and equipment, we put you in a hands-on learning environment at the cutting edge of technological developments in the field. You’ll investigate, create, design, and innovate 24/7—all with unparalleled access to the same tools as the industry pros. 

Collage of four scenes: a motorcycle simulation, a lecture, a person with a camera, and a green screen performance.

View our College of Art and Design facilities

Learn From Award-Winning Faculty
Become Award Winning Creatives

From recipients of Pulitzer Prizes to Academy and Emmy Awards to Guggenheim Fellows to a Turner Prize and an Edward MacDowell Medal, our faculty and alumni are consistently recognized for their accomplishments.

Some Companies That Hire Our Graduates

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Carl Zeiss Microscopy Logo
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Nikon Scientific Instruments
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Albany Times Union Logo
The Industry Management Logo
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Related Stories

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    RIT innovation helps illuminate lost history

    The goal of libraries, museums, and archives around the world is to safeguard historical documents, but some objects can deteriorate with time. RIT’s Cultural Heritage Imaging (CHI) lab is using funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities to develop a relatively low-cost system that makes cultural heritage imaging methods more accessible.

  • November 10, 2025

    A 2D animation of a girl with a mask on.

    Grad's thesis film educates about women's rights issues

    Tehran Is Ours by HamideH Azimi '24 MFA (film and animation) was honored by CILECT as the recipient of the 2025 SCEDI Award (Standing Committee on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) for Best Animation. The film, through a combination of 2D, 3D, and experimental animation, challenges the ongoing repression of women’s rights in Iran.

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