Film Resume Template & Example: Director, Editor & More
Looking for a job in film production? Use these industry-specific tips and film resume examples to write a resume that earns you a job in the film industry.
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Featured film resume example
Use the layout, structure and content of this film resume sample as inspiration for your own resume.
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Top film resume examples and tips
Resume writing, just like film production, is all about storytelling. To land a job in the competitive film industry, you’ll have to put on a powerful performance that wins the admiration of your audience – in your professional resume.
Writing a resume is your first chance to make a good impression and show that you can play a leading role in the employer’s future successes. With our tips, examples, and intuitive Resume Builder tool, you’ll be well on your way to stardom in no time.
This guide will show you:
- What hiring managers want to see in a film resume
- A film resume example to help structure your resume
- Film resume tips for writing the perfect resume
What to highlight in a film resume
As with the films you work on, there will be many moving parts to your resume. What you choose to include on your resume will vary depending on the role you apply to. A casting director, for example, will need to demonstrate a different set of skills compared to a film director.
Once you’ve pinpointed the role you’re apply to, you can begin to look through the job description and tailor your resume accordingly. Hiring managers will be most interested in your previous work experience and film credits, as these sections give a flavor of where your talents lie.
If you’re applying to a video production, photography, or editing role, then you’ll also have to showcase your technical skills. Proficiency in a range of video editing tools may be an essential requirement in these cases.
How to write a film resume
The structure of a film resume will vary slightly from the traditional resume format. This is because you should include a ‘film credits’ or ‘selected projects’ section to accompany the traditional resume sections.
You have a choice of three resume formats for your resume:
- Chronological — This format emphasizes work experience.
- Functional — This format focuses on skills.
- Combination — This format balances skills and work experience.
While we usually recommend the chronological format, depending on your mix of skills and professional experience, you may find a functional or combination format is better for you. The resume sample below uses the combination format.
Contact information
Insert your contact details in the resume header at the top of the page. This includes:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- Address
- Professional portfolio link, such as a LinkedIn profile link
Present this information clearly so that the recruiter can easily contact you should they wish to progress your application.
Resume summary or objective
The resume summary (or resume objective) is an important part of your film resume. This section serves as a brief overview of the skills and experiences that best qualify you for the role.
A resume summary covers your key qualities and achievements. And what is an objective on a resume? A resume objective is similar but also states your career aspirations. If you already have several years of experience in film production, then a resume summary will work best.
Skills
You may decide to retitle the traditional resume skills section as a “qualifications section” when applying to film roles. The qualifications section serves a similar purpose: to showcase your key areas of expertise within film production. Place less emphasis on soft skills here; the hiring manager will want to gauge your competence with role-specific hard skills. These include:
- Pre-production skills such as casting, scripting, and location scouting
- Post-production skills such as editing and sound design
- Software skills such as Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro
Tailor your resume skills to the role. To do this, read through the job description and include any of the desirable skills that you possess on your resume.
Selected projects
If you have previous industry experience, then add a section that lists some of the projects you’ve worked on. Rather than list all of your film credits, cherry-pick three to five projects that will be of greatest interest to the hiring manager. For each project, include the film name and your job title. Work history Use the work experience section to describe in greater detail your previous roles in film. For each position, list in bullet points the tasks and responsibilities that are most relevant to the role you’re applying to. Exclude any jobs not related to film production.
Education
If you have a relevant master’s or bachelor’s degree in film production or another related field, then you should include this in the education section at the bottom of your resume. List only your highest level of education here. You may also include relevant certifications.
Create your resumeDo's and don'ts for a film resume
- Tailor your resume to the role. For every new role you apply to, adapt your resume summary and skills sections. Reference the desirable skills mentioned in the job description.
- List your best film credits. Select three to five of the most relevant film projects you have previously worked on and include these in a dedicated film credits section.
- Use a resume builder. Our Resume Builder and its job-specific suggestions will help you create an eye-catching resume that spotlights your best qualities.
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FAQ: Film resume example
Have questions? We’re here to help.
Do I need to include a cover letter for a film application?
Unless the employer says not to, always write a cover letter to accompany your resume in an application. The cover letter allows you to explore in greater detail your key skills and experiences. It’s another opportunity to tailor your application to the needs of the role and can also be used to explain any gaps on your resume.
How can I write a film resume without a lot of work experience?
You can still write an effective film resume without much professional experience. Focus on experiences as an intern or volunteer in a film production capacity. Place emphasis on the education and skills sections and show you have the skills to fulfill the job at hand.
How do I change my film resume to apply to different jobs?
Always customize your resume to each new role you apply to. Tailor your professional summary to highlight only the most relevant experience and skills for the role. Follow the same approach with your skills and film credits sections to increase your chances of securing an interview.
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