How-to · Step-by-step
How to cite a film
Citing a film means recording its title, director, production or distribution company, year of release and the format you watched.
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Step by step
How to do it
1.Record the film title
Note the full title as it appears on screen or on the official release. The title is italicised in all three styles.
2.Identify key contributors
Find the director, and note other contributors (writer, producer, performers) if your style or your discussion calls for them.
3.Note the company and year
Record the production or distribution company and the year of release. APA uses the production company as the "publisher".
4.Note the format or version
If the version matters (a director’s cut, or the streaming platform you watched), record it so the entry reflects the exact source.
5.Assemble the entry
Arrange the elements per your style. APA leads with the director; MLA can lead with the title or a contributor depending on your focus.
APA 7th edition
Format: Director, D. D. (Director). (Year). Title of film [Film]. Production Company. — Worked example: Smith, J. (Director). (2021). The long road [Film]. Example Studios. In-text: (Smith, 2021). The director takes the author position with the bracketed role "(Director)", the title is italicised, and "[Film]" is the bracketed descriptor.
MLA 9th edition
Format (title-led): Title of Film. Directed by Name, Production Company, Year. — Worked example: The Long Road. Directed by Jane Smith, Example Studios, 2021. In-text: (Long Road). If your discussion centres on the director, you may lead with that contributor: Smith, Jane, director. The Long Road. Example Studios, 2021. The title is italicised.
Chicago 17th edition (notes–bibliography)
Bibliography: Smith, Jane, dir. The Long Road. 2021; Los Angeles: Example Studios, 2022. DVD. — First footnote: 1. Jane Smith, dir., The Long Road (2021; Los Angeles: Example Studios, 2022), DVD. Italicise the title, give the director, the original release year, the distributor and the medium you consulted.
Common questions
FAQ
Should I lead with the director or the title?+
It depends on the style and your focus. APA always puts the director in the author position. MLA defaults to the title but lets you lead with a contributor (such as the director) when your writing focuses on that person. Chicago typically leads with the director in the bibliography.
How do I show the format I watched?+
APA adds a bracketed "[Film]" descriptor and names the production company. Chicago names the medium (DVD, Blu-ray) or the streaming service at the end. MLA can add the platform as a container — e.g. "Netflix" — when you watched it via streaming.
How do I cite a film I streamed online?+
Add the streaming platform and, if useful, the URL. MLA treats the service as a container after the core entry; APA names the streaming service in place of, or alongside, the production company; Chicago notes the service and access date or URL at the end of the entry.
Going deeper
