How to Cite a Film or Documentary in MLA 9th Edition

This guide explains how to format a film or documentary citation in MLA 9th Edition. 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 MLA 9th Edition:

Template

*Title*. Directed by Director First Last, Studio/Distributor, Year.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

(Parasite)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your Works Cited:

Works Cited entry

Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, CJ Entertainment, 2019.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Write the film title
Italicize the film title using title case.
2
Add the director
Write "Directed by" followed by the director's full name (First Last). Follow with a comma.
3
Include relevant contributors
If your discussion emphasizes a performer or writer, include them with descriptors like "performance by" or "screenplay by." This step is optional.
4
Add the studio and year
Include the production company or distributor name, followed by a comma and the release year.
5
Note the version if applicable
If citing a specific version (director's cut, extended edition), include this detail after the title.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Listing the director as the author instead of the film title.
Forgetting to italicize the film title.
Omitting the studio or distributor.
Including actors when they are not the focus of the citation.
Using "Dir." as an abbreviation instead of spelling out "Directed by."

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I want to emphasize the director rather than the film?

List the director as the author: Bong, Joon-ho, director. Parasite. CJ Entertainment, 2019. Use this format when your paper focuses on the director's body of work.

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

Add the streaming service as a second container: Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, CJ Entertainment, 2019. Hulu, www.hulu.com/movie/parasite.

Should I include the original release date and the version I watched?

Include the original release year. If the version matters (e.g., a restored edition), note it after the title: Parasite. Director's cut, CJ Entertainment, 2019.

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

Write the film title

Italicize the film title using title case.

Add the director

Write "Directed by" followed by the director's full name (First Last). Follow with a comma.

Include relevant contributors

If your discussion emphasizes a performer or writer, include them with descriptors like "performance by" or "screenplay by." This step is optional.

Add the studio and year

Include the production company or distributor name, followed by a comma and the release year.

Note the version if applicable

If citing a specific version (director's cut, extended edition), include this detail after the title.