how to cite a film mla

Ever tried tracking down the exact quote from a movie only to realize you can’t remember which scene it was in, let alone who said it? Citing sources, even films, is crucial in academic work. Properly crediting filmmakers, actors, screenwriters, and other contributors demonstrates your respect for their creative efforts and strengthens the credibility of your research. By following MLA guidelines, you ensure your audience can easily verify your sources and understand the foundation upon which your arguments are built.

Moreover, incorrect or missing citations can lead to accusations of plagiarism, damaging your academic reputation. Citing a film in MLA format isn’t just about avoiding plagiarism, though; it’s about participating in a scholarly conversation and contributing to the wider understanding of cinema. It allows you to engage thoughtfully with the film’s message, its impact, and its place in the cultural landscape.

What do I need to include in my citation, and how do I format it all?

How do I cite a film with multiple directors in MLA?

To cite a film with multiple directors in MLA format, list all directors in the “Director” element of your citation, separated by commas, followed by “dirs.” The rest of the citation follows the standard MLA film citation format.

When a film has multiple directors, acknowledging each director’s contribution is important. Listing all directors ensures accurate attribution and allows readers to locate the specific film more easily. If the film has more than three directors, you may choose to list only the first director followed by “et al.” to shorten the citation. Be consistent with this approach throughout your work. The MLA format prioritizes clarity and accessibility for researchers.

Here’s a general template and an example:

• Template: Title of Film. Directed by Director 1, Director 2, and Director 3, Production Company, Year of Release.

• Example: Ocean’s Eleven. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Gregory Jacobs, and John Vink, Warner Bros. Pictures, 2001.

What if the film has no director listed?

If a film does not list a director, begin the citation with the film’s title. The absence of a director does not invalidate the need to cite the film; instead, you simply omit that element from the standard MLA format.

When a director is unavailable, the film’s title takes the place of the director’s name in the citation. This keeps the bibliographic information flowing logically. After the title, continue with the remaining elements, such as the other contributors, the production company, and the year of release. Remember to italicize the title of the film. For example, if a film titled *Lost Worlds* doesn’t credit a director, and features Liam Walker and Sarah Jones, was produced by Evergreen Studios in 2023, the citation would begin with the title: *Lost Worlds*. By Evergreen Studios, 2023. Liam Walker and Sarah Jones. This ensures the reader can still locate the source despite the missing director information. It is also acceptable to search online databases (such as IMDb) to find the director. If you are unable to find the director anywhere, omitting it is the correct thing to do.

Where does the year of release go in an MLA film citation?

In MLA style, the year of release appears after the title of the film. It is enclosed in parentheses and followed by a comma.

The placement of the year immediately following the title is a core element of MLA formatting, providing quick and essential context to the reader. This helps the reader immediately understand which version of a film is being referenced, especially if there are multiple adaptations or remakes of the same story. For example, citing *Little Women* (2019) clearly distinguishes it from *Little Women* (1994) or any other adaptation.

Beyond the year, the citation continues with other relevant details, such as the director, distributor, and any other significant contributors. However, the year’s placement is consistent: right after the title. If the film title includes another film title, you will still include the year of release, even if that year is in relation to the second title.

How do I cite a film I watched online via streaming?

To cite a film you watched online via streaming in MLA format, you’ll need to include the title of the film, the director’s name, the distributor, the year of release, and the streaming service you used.

The general format is as follows: Director’s Last Name, First Name, director. *Title of Film*. Distributor, Year of Release. *Streaming Service*. For example: Nolan, Christopher, director. *Inception*. Warner Bros. Pictures, 2010. *Netflix*. This structure ensures readers can locate the specific film and understand where you accessed it. Remember to italicize the film title and the name of the streaming service.

If the film is widely available across multiple streaming services, you can choose the one you personally used. If you are citing a specific version of the film (e.g., a director’s cut or a version with commentary), include that information after the title and before the distributor. For example: Scorsese, Martin, director. *Goodfellas* (25th Anniversary Edition). Warner Bros. Pictures, 1990. *Amazon Prime Video*. Including these details helps maintain accuracy and allows your readers to easily find the version you referenced.

How do I cite a specific scene from a film in MLA?

To cite a specific scene from a film in MLA format, you’ll need to include the film’s standard citation information (title, director, year, etc.) and then specify the time range where the scene occurs. The specific time range allows readers to locate the exact part of the film you’re referencing.

When citing a specific scene, your Works Cited entry will still focus on the film as a whole, formatted like this: Director’s Last Name, First Name, director. *Title of Film*. Distributor, Year of Release. Then, in your in-text citation, provide the time range of the scene you’re referencing. For example, an in-text citation could look like this: (Director’s Last Name, 00:22:15-00:25:00). The numbers represent hours, minutes, and seconds, respectively. Make sure to provide the most accurate time frame possible to help your reader find the scene. If the director is not known, use the title of the film in the in-text citation, followed by the timestamp. For example: (*Title of Film*, 01:10:30-01:12:45). Remember to alphabetize the entry in your Works Cited list by the director’s last name or the film’s title if the director is unavailable. Be consistent with using either the director’s name or the film’s title throughout your citations.

Do I include the film’s running time in the MLA citation?

Yes, you should include the running time of the film in your MLA citation. The running time, expressed in hours and minutes, provides valuable information to the reader, giving them a sense of the scope and length of the work you’re referencing.

Including the running time is a standard element of an MLA film citation and helps distinguish different versions or cuts of the same film. Place the running time after the year of release and before any distributor information. Express the running time as “hr. min.”, for example, “2 hr. 15 min.” or “1 hr. 48 min.” Always obtain the running time from a reliable source, such as the film’s packaging, the credits, or a reputable online database like IMDb.

Therefore, a complete MLA film citation will generally follow this structure (with the running time in bold): Director’s Last Name, First Name, director. Title of Film. Year, Running Time, Distributor. Including the running time ensures that your citation is accurate and complete, adhering to MLA guidelines and providing your readers with all the necessary information to locate the film.

And that’s a wrap on citing films in MLA style! Hopefully, this has cleared up any confusion and you’re feeling confident in giving credit where it’s due. Thanks for reading, and feel free to swing by again whenever you need a little citation assistance – we’re always happy to help!