How to make a perfect
film portfolio for university

When you apply to study a Film degree at university you may be asked to submit a portfolio to support your application.

09 June 2025

BA (Hons) Film & Screen Studies - Photo by Sambor Czarnawski-Iliev

For hands-on filmmaking courses like Film Production degree at UCA, your portfolio is a chance to show your creativity, your approach to storytelling, and – perhaps most importantly – to demonstrate your potential as a filmmaker. 

This guide focuses on what to include, how to present your work and what admissions tutors are really looking for. 

What is a film portfolio? 

A film university portfolio is a selection of creative work that showcases your visual storytelling skills and ideas. Your portfolio can include film and video work, but might also include photography, scripts, storyboards, creative writing, or sketchbooks. 

The exact portfolio requirements for each university may vary. For instance, at UCA we encourage applicants to submit up to 20 pieces of work in total, which – amongst other work – should contain a maximum of three minutes of film.  

Your portfolio isn’t about showcasing finely polished work, it’s about showcasing you. Share your ideas honestly, let your personality shine through and focus on storytelling. Whether your work is made with a phone or a DSLR, what matters most is how you use the tools you have to express your point of view. 

Virtual Production Studio, UCA Farnham
Students filming in UCA Farnham's Virtual Production Studio

What should you include in a film portfolio? 

The goal is to show your approach to storytelling, not just technical ability.  

The first thing most students think to include is examples of films or videos they have worked on. But it’s important to carefully consider what work to include. 

Universities want to see pieces that showcase narrative and creative intent, so avoid submitting a showreel. A scene or short film will be much more impactful than a montage of different works. 

Take time to rewatch any film you’re considering for inclusion and ask yourself how you’d rate it for narrative and creativity. A more creative piece with lesser quality production will likely be better received than a highly produced piece with little substance. 

Beyond the film you submit, you may also want to include: 

  • Photography that shows an eye for composition or visual narrative 
  • Scripts or screenplay excerpts 
  • Storyboards or concept sketches 
  • Creative writing or reflective journal extracts 
  • Blog posts or other online media related to film 

Each item should demonstrate your creative process and interest in film.  

Don’t worry if your work is a little rough around the edges. Tutors aren’t looking for finely polished work, they’re looking to learn about you and your creative process. 

Virtual Production Studio, UCA Farnham
Virtual Production Studio at UCA's Farnham campus

Top tips for building a stand-out film portfolio 

  • Focus on how your work communicates ideas or emotions. Remember, it’s not just film that can achieve this; storyboards and photos can suggest narrative or character. 
  • Prioritise your own creative ideas and avoid recreating scenes from existing films. If admissions tutors wanted to watch iconic scenes from cinematic history, they’d delve into their film collection! 
  • A single well-composed scene with a clear vision is better than an over-ambitious piece that lacks clarity.
  • Avoid editing together multiple clips into a showreel. 
  • Showcase your process by submitting sketches, notes and behind-the-scenes images. These, plus any writing in which you reflect on your work, can reveal how you develop and refine ideas. 
  • If you collaborated with others, be clear about what your specific role was in the project. 

What if you haven’t made a film yet? 

Hopefully the advice so far has shown that you can still build a strong portfolio even without finished films.  

Regardless of if you have access to filmmaking equipment, you can still use your portfolio to express your passion and ideas.  

Storyboards, scripts and photography series can convey storytelling, mood, movement and character. 

A blog can explore your interest in film and showcase your understanding and admiration for cinema. If you don’t already have a blog, you can easily set one up for free using websites such as Medium, SquareSpace or Wix. Perhaps yours could discuss a particular aspect or genre of film that you have a special interest in. 

How to present your portfolio 

Most universities will invite you to an applicant or interview day. During these days you’ll be given an opportunity to present or discuss your portfolio with a course academic or admissions tutor. 

For many reasons, some people are unable to attend an applicant day. Most universities will allow you to upload your portfolio online instead when this happens. 

Make sure your presentation is clean, accessible, and easy to follow: 

  • Use folders to group related pieces 
  • Label everything with titles and your role 
  • Ensure video links are public or unlisted on platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo to ensure they’re viewable to everyone 
  • Keep written material legible and well-formatted 
The Fish, BA (Hons) Film Production, UCA Farnham
Still from THE FISH, by 2024 Film Production BA (Hons) graduate Rancho Zhu

What are admissions tutors looking for from a film portfolio? 

Your future lecturers want to understand who you are as a creative. They're looking for: 

  • A passion for film and storytelling 
  • A willingness to express yourself and take creative risks 
  • An understanding of image, sound and narrative 
  • Potential to develop and grow as part of the degree 

They don’t need professional-level work, just evidence that you’re passionate and full of ideas. 

Need more portfolio support? 

Still unsure what to include? Come along to one of our upcoming Open Days where you can speak to our film academics and Admissions Team in more detail about what they expect to see in your portfolio. 

You can also use our Unibuddy chat platform to speak directly to current UCA students and ask them about their portfolio. For more inspiration you could also check out the work created by UCA Film students via our online graduate showcase.

More advice for film applicants 

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