How to Cite a Film or Documentary in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography)

This guide explains how to format a film or documentary citation in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography). Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a film or documentary in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography):

Template

Note: Title, directed by Director First Last (Studio/Distributor, Year), format. Bibliography: Last, First, dir. Title. Studio/Distributor, Year.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

1. Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan (Universal Pictures, 2023).

Bibliography Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your bibliography:

Bibliography entry

Nolan, Christopher, dir. Oppenheimer. Universal Pictures, 2023.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Start with the title (notes) or director (bibliography)
In notes, begin with the italicized film title. In the bibliography, begin with the director's name (Last, First), followed by 'dir.'
2
Name the director
In notes, write "directed by First Last" after the title. In the bibliography, the director is already the lead entry.
3
Add the studio or distributor
Include the production company or distributor. In notes, enclose in parentheses with the year. In the bibliography, follow a period.
4
Include the year
Provide the year of original release.
5
Add format or URL if relevant
If citing a specific format (DVD, Blu-ray) or streaming platform, note it. For online access, include the URL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Listing the film title without italics.
Omitting the director's name from the citation.
Placing the director as the primary entry in notes — notes typically begin with the title, while the bibliography lists the director first.
Forgetting to include the studio or distributor.
Confusing the release year with the streaming availability year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the director or the title come first in Chicago film citations?

In footnotes/endnotes, the title comes first. In the bibliography, the director's name comes first so the entry can be alphabetized.

How do I cite a film accessed on a streaming platform?

Add the streaming platform name after the studio and year: Nolan, Christopher, dir. Oppenheimer. Universal Pictures, 2023. Accessed on Netflix.

What if I need to highlight an actor or producer instead of the director?

You may lead with the relevant contributor's name followed by their role (e.g., 'perf.' for performer). However, the director is the default lead in Chicago style for films.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your film or documentary:

Director
Title
Production Company
Year
Format/Platform

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Step-by-Step Guide

Start with the title (notes) or director (bibliography)

In notes, begin with the italicized film title. In the bibliography, begin with the director's name (Last, First), followed by 'dir.'

Name the director

In notes, write "directed by First Last" after the title. In the bibliography, the director is already the lead entry.

Add the studio or distributor

Include the production company or distributor. In notes, enclose in parentheses with the year. In the bibliography, follow a period.

Include the year

Provide the year of original release.

Add format or URL if relevant

If citing a specific format (DVD, Blu-ray) or streaming platform, note it. For online access, include the URL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Listing the film title without italics.

Omitting the director's name from the citation.

Placing the director as the primary entry in notes — notes typically begin with the title, while the bibliography lists the director first.

Forgetting to include the studio or distributor.

Confusing the release year with the streaming availability year.