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AFI Conservatory Guests

Malcolm Washington on his film THE PIANO LESSON
RaMell Ross on the Friendship of the Characters in NICKEL BOYS
Sean Wang on his film DÌDI
Anna Kendrick Discusses Her Film WOMAN OF THE HOUR
In Conversation with THE SUBSTANCE Filmmaker Coralie Fargeat
Halfdan Ullmann Tøndell on ARMAND
Shuchi Talati Discusses her Film GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS
Shuchi Talati on GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS Star Preeti Panigrahi
In Conversation with ALIEN: ROMULUS Filmmaker Fede Alvarez
In Conversation with 3 BODY PROBLEM's David Benioff, D.B. Weiss and Alexander Woo
In Conversation with THE FIRST OMEN's Arkasha Stevenson
In Conversation with DADDIO Filmmaker Christy Hall
Filmmakers Josh Margolin, Zoë Worth and Chris Kaye Discuss Their New Film THELMA
In Conversation with EXPATS Filmmakers Lulu Wang and Yong Ok Lee
Steven Zaillian on his Netflix Series Ripley
Emma Seligman on BOTTOMS
Trần Anh Hùng Discusses His Film THE TASTE OF THINGS
AFRICAN GIANTS Filmmakers at the AFI Conservatory
Juel Taylor and Franco-Giacomo Carbone on THEY CLONED TYRONE
Matteo Garrone Discusses His Film IO CAPITANO
Todd Haynes and Affonso Gonçalves on their film MAY DECEMBER
Mohamed Kordofani on the Inspiration Behind GOODBYE JULIA
Master Seminar with THE PERSIAN VERSION Writer/Director Maryam Keshavarz
Oscar Winner Cord Jefferson discusses his film AMERICAN FICTION
THE BROTHERS SUN Seminar at the AFI Conservatory
Master Seminar with Billy Luther on FRYBREAD FACE AND ME
PERFECT DAYS Writer/Director/Producer Wim Wenders in Conversation
Master Seminar with THE TEACHERS' LOUNGE Writer/Director İlker Çatak
Producer James Wilson on THE ZONE OF INTEREST
Sean Durkin discusses his film THE IRON CLAW
MORE VIDEOS
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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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Learn from Acclaimed Filmmakers

Led by Hollywood icon James L. Brooks as Artistic Director, AFI Conservatory Faculty and seminar guests are working filmmakers who bring decades of award-winning experience as real-world, professionals and transformative leaders in their field.

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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®

15
Nominations

4
Wins

Emmy Awards®

87
Nominations
19
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 277 Year 1 and Year 2 Fellows currently enrolled at the AFI Conservatory in Los Angeles:

51%are women
40%of the domestic Fellows are filmmakers of color
49%are international

Updated as of Sep. 18, 2024

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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

Thrilled to share that three AFI Alumni have been chosen for @FilmIndependent's #ProjectInvolve! 🎬✨ This incredible program uplifts diverse voices, and we can’t wait to see how these talented storytellers shine. Congratulations! 🌟 #AFIAlumni #AFIConservatory
🎬✨ We sat down with director and screenwriter Malcolm Washington (AFI Class of 2016) to discuss his highly anticipated feature film debut #ThePianoLesson, now streaming on @netflix! Check out the full video from our exclusive #AFIConservatory master seminar at link in bio. ⁠
⁠
#AFIAlumni #FilmSchool #GuestLecture @malcolmdubb
Scott Frank’s work is a testament to the power of the written word. 🎬🌟 From OUT OF SIGHT to THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT to LOGAN, this AFI alum’s scripts have defined excellence and earned him the WGA East Career Achievement Award. Congratulations, Scott! 🏆 #AFIAlumni #WGA #AFIConservatory #Screenwriting
🎉 On this, her 93rd birthday, we are sharing the gift of the incomparable Rita Moreno serenading the AFI community as she accepted her Honorary Degree from the #AFIConservatory with the Class of 2016. As far as we’re concerned, she is a dream. @theritamoreno
🎉🎬 Great news for #AFIConservatory applicants! We've extended the application deadline for the #Cinematography, #Editing, #ProductionDesign and #Producing disciplines until January 7, 2025. It’s your chance to join the next generation of filmmakers—apply now at AFI.edu. 

#Apply #FilmSchool #GraduateSchool
🎬✨ In this month’s #AFIAlumni Spotlight, @maysiehoy (AFI DWW Class of 1977) reflects on a career full of groundbreaking projects, and also talks about her latest film, Tyler Perry’s #TheSixTripleEight, now in theaters! Don’t miss the chance to see it on the big screen before it hits streaming on Dec. 20. Read the full interview at link in bio. #AFIConservatory #AFIDWW
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