Film buffs, your time has come. There will be a new concentration in English — film and digital media — that will start this fall.

The English department developed this concentration as a way to improve retention and attract new students. This new concentration in English will put Loyola in line with other universities that offer concentrations in this area.

Kate Adams, chair of the English department, said students leaving Loyola are interested in going into film school. This new program aims to keep such students at Loyola.

In addition, students who graduate with an English degree and who go into publishing and work with online content would be much better prepared with the digital media concentration.

Adams said that digital media is changing literature. The new concentration will prepare its graduates for a future in media text.

“This new concentration stems from something that is already being done and which the English department has a need for,” Adams said.

Film studies professor Peggy McCormack is excited about the new development.

“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am. It is so great that the English department is getting this new concentration in addition to the concentrations in writing and literature,” she said.

McCormack said that there are going to be three aspects to this new concentration: film studies analysis, film making and new media.

Rudy Rihner, English sophomore, has been interested in film since he started at Loyola in 2008. He is a projectionist for the Film Buffs program and said he is excited to take his love of film further with the film and digital media concentration.

“I am happy to see that Loyola is finally creating a discipline for a moderately new art and prominent business in today’s society. Film is on the rise, groundbreaking and beautiful,” Rihner said.

“We can finally be introduced to and learn about real cinematography that challenges our every day mindset of life. Having a film discipline in school will keep that art alive and going.”

As of now, Adams is uncertain of how many people will register for the concentration.

“I don’t know how many students we will enroll, but hope that the major will be popular. Many students have been inquiring about it,” Adams said.

Meagan Lanier can be reached at [email protected]