How to cite a film in MLA
To cite a film in a reference entry in MLA style 9th edition include the following elements:
- Contributor(s) name, label: Start with the action of the key contributor (Directed by, Performed by, Produced by, etc.), follow with the name.
- Title of the film: Titles are italicized when independent. If part of a larger source add quotation marks and do not italize.
- Contributor(s) name: Start with the action of the key contributor (Directed by, Performed by, Produced by, etc.), follow with the name.
- Publishing studio: If the name of an academic press contains the words University and Press, use UP e.g. Oxford UP instead of Oxford University Press. If the word "University" doesn't appear, spell out the Press e.g. MIT Press.
- Year of release: Give the year of publication as presented in the source.
Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of a film in MLA style 9th edition:
Contributor(s) name, label. Title of the film. by Contributor(s) name, Publishing studio, Year of release.
Take a look at our works cited examples that demonstrate the MLA style guidelines in action:
Films are commonly produced by many people performing different parts. If your research focuses on the contribution of one particular person, e.g. the performance of an actress or the ideas of the screenwriter, begin the entry with their name, followed by a descriptive label.
Otherwise, if you are discussing a film without focusing on an individual's contribution, start with the title. You can add information about key participants after the title.
A film with focus on the main performer
Thurman, Uma, performer. Kill Bill: Volume 1. Miramax, 2003.
A film with its director as key contributor
Kill Bill: Volume 1. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, Miramax, 2003.
MLA in-text citation of a film
Audio-visual material uses the specific time of the audio/video for in-text citations.
(Last name time) or (Short form of title time).
A film with focus on the main performer
The following scene exemplifies the performers physical abilities (Thurman 00:15:43-00:20:07).
A film with its director as key contributor
The style of recording resembles the director's previous movies (Kill Bill 00:35:40) .
This citation style guide is based on the MLA Handbook (9th edition).