Film School in Los Angeles CA, Best Film School Hollywood, AFI Conservatory

A Training Ground for Filmmakers

At the AFI Conservatory we believe in filmmaking first. Filmmakers come to AFI because they are guaranteed to make movies, and to master not only the tools, but also the art of storytelling. AFI isn’t like any other graduate film school in Los Angeles or the nation. Think of us like the most prolific content creators in Hollywood. Fellows collectively create up to 175 films a year across six disciplines in the master’s degree program: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting.

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A Bridge to the Film and TV Industry

As a top-ranked film school located in Los Angeles, the AFI Conservatory MFA program is more than an academic experience in the art of moviemaking — it’s about connecting you with influential artists in the field, and with key players in the industry, to get your career off the ground right after graduation. Through a carefully curated series of programs and opportunities that happen year-round right in the middle of Hollywood, you will have the best possible launchpad for success.

Scholarship Opportunities

The AFI Conservatory offers scholarships to help incoming and current AFI Fellows pay for their MFA film school education. Scholarships are based on merit and financial need. Several scholarships are available for Fellows from underrepresented communities, specific nationalities and Conservatory disciplines.

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Alumni Recognition

Last Five Years

After their MFA film school training, AFI Conservatory filmmakers go on to make enormous cultural impact that resonates and endures far beyond the halls of AFI.

Academy Awards^®

Nominations

Wins

Emmy Awards^®

Nominations

Wins

Major Festivals

350

Alumni on

481

Films

AFI DOCS, AFI FEST, Berlin, Cannes, London, New York, Sundance, SXSW, Telluride, Toronto, Tribeca and Venice

Festivals updated as of Jan. 1, 2024

Awards updated as of Mar. 11, 2024

Diversity at a Glance

The AFI Conservatory is committed to nurturing fresh perspectives from diverse voices.

“The AFI experience is transformational. This is a place where ideas of all sorts and all perspectives come to blossom. The relationships and the skills you foster here are the ones that will carry you throughout your entire career.”

–Joyce Liu-Countryman, AFI Producing Class of 2018

Of 285 Year 1 and Year 2 Fellows currently enrolled at the AFI Conservatory in Los Angeles:

56%are women

45%of the domestic Fellows are filmmakers of color

47%are international

Updated as of Oct. 15, 2023

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The American Film Institute believes in the power of diverse voices to drive culture forward.

We strive to cultivate and sustain an inclusive environment at AFI that actively affirms and is respectful of the identities of all people across genders, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds and ideological perspectives – and one where self-reflection, honesty and accountability are practiced.

At AFI, we are responsible for the community we build and the stories we tell.

#AFICONSERVATORY

🎥✨ A huge congrats to #AFIConservatory alum Joewi Verhoeven (AFI Class of 2023) on winning the prestigious John Bailey ASC Student Graduate Award for his #AFI thesis film, #Taha, presented to him by the incredible Ellen Kuras! Your dedication and talent are just the beginning—can`t wait to see where your journey leads next. #AFIAlumni #ASC #Cinematographer

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🎥✨ A huge congrats to #AFIConservatory alum Joewi Verhoeven (AFI Class of 2023) on winning the prestigious John Bailey ASC Student Graduate Award for his #AFI thesis film, #Taha, presented to him by the incredible Ellen Kuras! Your dedication and talent are just the beginning—can't wait to see where your journey leads next. #AFIAlumni #ASC #Cinematographer

Today, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples` Day with a compelling clip of director/producer @chris.eyre offering insights into Native Americans in cinema. Watch more of his exclusive conversation with #AFIConservatory Fellows at link in bio. ⁠
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#ChrisEyre #IndigenousPeoplesDay #NativeAmericans

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Today, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day with a compelling clip of director/producer @chris.eyre offering insights into Native Americans in cinema. Watch more of his exclusive conversation with #AFIConservatory Fellows at link in bio. ⁠
⁠
#ChrisEyre #IndigenousPeoplesDay #NativeAmericans

Today, we’re excited to welcome director, producer and writer @seanswang to the #AFIConservatory for an exclusive master seminar! AFI Fellows will enjoy a special screening of his directorial debut, @didithemovie, winner of the 2024 Sundance Audience Award, followed by a discussion on this coming-of-age movie and filmmaking. #FilmSchool #GuestLecture

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Today, we’re excited to welcome director, producer and writer @seanswang to the #AFIConservatory for an exclusive master seminar! AFI Fellows will enjoy a special screening of his directorial debut, @didithemovie, winner of the 2024 Sundance Audience Award, followed by a discussion on this coming-of-age movie and filmmaking. #FilmSchool #GuestLecture

🎥✨ Don’t miss out on a unique opportunity to learn from Emmy-nominated editor Varun Viswanath, a member of the #AFIConservatory Editing Faculty! He’ll guide you through three iterations of a scene—Assistant Editor’s Cut, Editor’s Cut, and Director’s Cut—using a scene from the critically acclaimed series @rezdogsfx. This FREE info session on Tuesday, October 15, at 4:00 PM PT is a must for aspiring editors! RSVP today at link in bio to secure your spot.⁠
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#FilmSchool #GraduateSchool #Editing @va5un

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🎥✨ Don’t miss out on a unique opportunity to learn from Emmy-nominated editor Varun Viswanath, a member of the #AFIConservatory Editing Faculty! He’ll guide you through three iterations of a scene—Assistant Editor’s Cut, Editor’s Cut, and Director’s Cut—using a scene from the critically acclaimed series @rezdogsfx. This FREE info session on Tuesday, October 15, at 4:00 PM PT is a must for aspiring editors! RSVP today at link in bio to secure your spot.⁠
⁠
#FilmSchool #GraduateSchool #Editing @va5un

🎬✨Join us on Saturday, October 12, at 11:00 AM PST for a FREE info session on character development in filmmaking with esteemed #AFIConservatory Directing Faculty, Rosita Lama Muvdi! This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your craft and learn from the best. Secure your spot and RSVP now at link in bio!

#FilmSchool #GraduateSchool #Directing

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🎬✨Join us on Saturday, October 12, at 11:00 AM PST for a FREE info session on character development in filmmaking with esteemed #AFIConservatory Directing Faculty, Rosita Lama Muvdi! This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your craft and learn from the best. Secure your spot and RSVP now at link in bio!

#FilmSchool #GraduateSchool #Directing

Step behind the lens with AFI Cinematography alum and faculty member Hana Kitasei! 🎥 Join the filmmaker for a FREE virtual info session on Thursday, October 3, at 4 PM PT. With a portfolio that includes Jennette McCurdy’s KENNY and the documentary THE BRIDGE, featuring Michelle Yeoh, Hana will show how cinematographers shape storytelling. RSVP at the link in bio.⁠
⁠
#AFIConservatory #filmschool #cinematography

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Step behind the lens with AFI Cinematography alum and faculty member Hana Kitasei! 🎥 Join the filmmaker for a FREE virtual info session on Thursday, October 3, at 4 PM PT. With a portfolio that includes Jennette McCurdy’s KENNY and the documentary THE BRIDGE, featuring Michelle Yeoh, Hana will show how cinematographers shape storytelling. RSVP at the link in bio.⁠
⁠
#AFIConservatory #filmschool #cinematography

AFI alum Shuchi Talati brought her Sundance Award-winning film @girlswillbegirls_themovie to campus earlier this week for an exclusive screening and discussion. Now, it’s your turn to experience it! The film kicks off its limited run at the LA’s Landmark Nuart Theatre today, playing for one week only. Catch Shuchi in person for Q&As on Sept 27 & 28. #GirlsWillBeGirls #AFIConservatory #FilmSchool

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AFI alum Shuchi Talati brought her Sundance Award-winning film @girlswillbegirls_themovie to campus earlier this week for an exclusive screening and discussion. Now, it’s your turn to experience it! The film kicks off its limited run at the LA’s Landmark Nuart Theatre today, playing for one week only. Catch Shuchi in person for Q&As on Sept 27 & 28. #GirlsWillBeGirls #AFIConservatory #FilmSchool

🎉 Congratulations to AFI Alums @radhamehta (AFI Class of 2023) and @jillsachs (AFI Class of 2017) for being awarded a grant from the 2024 Julia S. Gouw Short Film Challenge! We can’t wait to see the powerful stories you’ll bring to life.

#AFIAlumni #AFIConservatory @capeusa @janetyangofficial @juliasgouw

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🎉 Congratulations to AFI Alums @radhamehta (AFI Class of 2023) and @jillsachs (AFI Class of 2017) for being awarded a grant from the 2024 Julia S. Gouw Short Film Challenge! We can’t wait to see the powerful stories you’ll bring to life.

#AFIAlumni #AFIConservatory @capeusa @janetyangofficial @juliasgouw

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AFI Spotlight on WOLFS Art Director Sandra Doyle Carmola

AFI Conservatory Alumni Honored with 2024 Emmy Award Nominations

Celebrating AFI Alumni at the 2024 Venice, Toronto and Telluride Film Festivals

What to Watch: October 2024 | AFI Alumni Projects

An Exclusive Look at AFI Conservatory Sound Design Workshop with Oscar® Winner Richard King

Eddie Romero – AFI Catalog Spotlight

A Training Ground for Filmmakers

A Bridge to the Film and TV Industry

Scholarship Opportunities