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Master's in
Documentary Film

RPC-SO-09-N°. 151-2022

MODALITY
Hybrid

DURATION
3 semesters

APPLICATION PERIOD
February 18 – June 16

PROGRAM START
August 3

The Master's in Documentary Film at the University of the Arts is a theoretical and practical program focused on documentary filmmaking. Through processes of artistic creation, experimentation, and audiovisual production, the program trains professionals capable of developing their own documentary works, combining filmmaking practice with critical reflection on the historical, ethical, aesthetic, and political dimensions of the genre. The program places particular emphasis on the use of technical and creative tools to explore different approaches to reality and to construct conscious, situated positions of enunciation through film. The primary objective of the Master's in Documentary Film at UArtes is to guide students from concept to shooting, from shooting to editing, and from editing to distribution.

Program Type

Professional Master's Degree

Learning Modality

Hybrid

Degree Awarded

Master of Arts in Documentary Film

Admission Profile

Professionals in the arts and humanities. Applicants from other fields will be required to demonstrate experience and/or interest in audiovisual production or documentary film.

Graduate Profile

Graduates of this program will develop the following competencies:

  • Practical competencies in screenwriting, image and sound capture, archive use, audiovisual production, and editing in the field of documentary film.
  • Competencies in the production and design of research projects in the fields of visual arts, film, and related disciplines.
  • Theoretical competencies related to the history and the ethical and aesthetic challenges of documentary as an artistic practice.

Admissions

Ready to Apply?

Apply here

Priscila Aguirre

Program Coordinator
priscila.aguirre@uartes.edu.ec
Semester Courses

I  
  • Shooting and Editing Laboratory
  • Introduction to Documentary Film Editing Practice
  • Documentary Project Research and Writing Workshop
  • From Representation to the Presentation of Reality: Documentary Film Theories
  • Documentary Film and the Questions of the Global South: History of Documentary Film
  • History of Documentary Film and Cinematographic Creation Methods 1

II  

 
  • Research, Writing, and Filmmaking Workshop
  • Theory and Practice of Photography in Documentary Film
  • Theory and Practice of Sound in Documentary Film
  • History of Documentary Film and Cinematographic Creation Methods 2
  • Uses of Archives in Latin American Documentary Film

III  
  • Filmmaking, Editing, and Post-Production Workshop
  • Theory and Practice of Documentary Film Editing
  • Documentary Production and Distribution
  • Thesis Workshop

 

  • Weekly sessions (Monday through Friday): 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (online)
  • Intensive sessions (one per semester, on a weekends– in-person)

The program runs for one and a half years, during which students complete 3 semesters.

  • Enrollment fee: $400,00 USD
  • Tuition: $4.500,00 USD
  • Total $4.900,00 USD

Tuition is divided into 15 monthly installments of $300.00

Due within the first five days of each month.

Methods of payment: bank transfer, credit card (Visa or MasterCard).

Scholarship and Discount Program:

  • 15% discount for UArtes community members
    (alumni, faculty, and administrative staff)
  • 15% discount for individuals registered in the Registro Único de Actores Culturales (RUAC)
  • 5% referral discount
    (applicable only to individuals who are NOT registered in the RUAC and do NOT belong to the UArtes community)
  • Statement of purpose outlining the applicant's interests.
  • Selection of written and/or audiovisual works produced during prior studies or professional experience.
  • Curriculum vitae with copies of professional and academic credentials.
  • Brief description of an original documentary film idea or a research proposal.
  • Color photocopy of national ID or passport.
  • Copy of undergraduate degree or its legal equivalent.
  • Copy of degree registration with SENESCYT. For degrees obtained abroad: copy of the degree duly apostilled or legalized through consular channels.

Applicants who meet the requirements and have submitted a complete application will be interviewed by the program coordinator and the School director. The following criteria will be used to evaluate admission:

  • Applicant's motivation.
  • Quality of argumentation in the defense of the submitted idea.
  • Ability to work collaboratively.
  • Quality of written work.

Once admitted, applicants must enroll at the University of the Arts by completing all required procedures and submitting enrollment and tuition payments within the established deadlines.

2026 Cohort Admissions Calendar

Master's in Documentary Film Brochure

Master's in Documentary Film Degree Completion Guidelines

Artistic work

Our Faculty

for This Cohort

Paul Narváez

Filmmaker and researcher – ECU

Raymi Morales

Sound Designer - ECU

Andrés Cornejo

Director and filmmaker – ECU

Alexandra Cuesta

Filmmaker and artist – ECU

Orisel Castro

Audiovisual producer – ECU

Karolina Romero

Film researcher – ECU

Javier Izquierdo

Filmmaker and documentary director – ECU

Christian León

Researcher and theorist – ECU

Priscilla Aguirre

Producer and faculty – ECU

Manolo Sarmiento

Filmmaker and screenwriter – ECU

Francois Laso

Photographer and researcher – ECU

Andrés Dávila

Visual Artist – ECU

Student Projects 2022–2023

9EB744EA-56F6-4553-9628-D9F9A13ADC2E

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. You may access our Referral Discount Program, designed exclusively for individuals who do NOT hold RUAC registration and do NOT belong to the UArtes university community (alumni, faculty, or administrative staff).

The referral program allows you to earn discounts by recommending the program to others.

Terms and Conditions:

  • The discount is 5% for each referred individual who completes enrollment in the program.
  • The discount is cumulative, based on the number of referred individuals who effectively enroll.
  • This benefit applies only to applicants who: are NOT members of the University of the Arts community, and do NOT hold RUAC registration.
  • Referred individuals must also not belong to the UArtes university community and must not hold RUAC registration.
  • The discount applies only to the person making the referral.
  • The benefit is activated only once the referred individual completes their enrollment in the program.

Benefit Example:

  • 1 enrolled referral → 5% discount
  • 2 enrolled referrals → 10% discount
  • 3 enrolled referrals → 15% discount

To be admitted to a master's program at UArtes, applicants must hold a third-level undergraduate degree. This level includes bachelor's degrees as well as university or polytechnicprofessional titles and their equivalents. 

It is a mode that combines virtual and in-person activities.. 

Date  Activity 
February 18 – June 16, 2026 Open call for applications on the UArtes website
Through June 17, 2026 Applicant interviews
June 19, 2026 Publication of the list of admitted students on the UArtes website
June 22 – 29, 2026 Open call for exemptions: receipt of documentation from admitted students in master's programs
July 17, 2026 Publication of the final list of students awarded exemptions on the Graduate Studies website
July 27 – 31, 2026 Regular enrollment period
August 3, 2026 Late enrollment period — Classes begin

August 3, 2026.

Class schedules are distributed based on faculty availability and the number of hours per course.  

  • Weekly sessions (Monday through Friday): 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (online)
  • Intensive sessions (one per semester, on a weekends– in-person)

To be announced. 

Enrollment fee: $50,00 USD 
Tuition: $3.950,00 USD 

Yes. In 15 monthly installments of $263.33. 

Payment methods: credit card and bank transfer. 

Yes. Graduate programs offer a scholarship and partial tuition waiver system. These consist exclusively of reductions to the tuition fee and do not include the disbursement of financial resources. 

Direct discounts (no application required): 

  • 15 % for members of the UArtes community 
    (alumni, faculty, and administrative staff). 
  • 15 % for individuals registered in the Registro Único de Actores Culturales (RUAC). 
  • 5 % referral discount 
    (applicable for each referred individual who enrolls in the program). 

Scholarship waivers (application required): 

The waiver percentage through a scholarship may reach up to 50% of the tuition fee, subject to a prior application processand provided the request falls within one of the established scholarship categories. 

Scholarship types: 

  • Financial need and priority groups. 
  • Indigenous peoples and nationalities. 
  • Academic distinction. 
  • Artistic distinction. 
  • Research distinction. 
  • Other waivers provided for under institutional regulations. 

Scholarship modalities: 

  • Partial scholarship : 25 % tuition waiver. 
  • Half scholarship : 50 % tuition waiver. 

Important note: 
Scholarships and discounts cannot be combined. Applicants may access only one waiver modality. 

Please access the following link: APPLICATION and complete all fields in the online admissions form.You must also attach all required documents and, upon completion, click Submit.A confirmation message will be automatically sent to your personal email address.

No. Applications to UArtes graduate programs are free of charge.

Recommendation letters are free in format and should preferably be addressed to the Director of the Graduate School of the University of the Arts. They must include the applicant's full name as well as the name, surname, and signature of the recommending individual.

Yes. For your application to be evaluated, all requirements established by each graduate program must be met.

informacion.posgrados@uartes.edu.ec

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