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 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

🎬 AFI prepares filmmakers for careers in film. Affonso Gonçalves (AFI Class of 1993) honed his editing skills at the #AFIConservatory, building a craft that has led to a distinguished film career, including his work on HAMNET.

Applications for AFI’s Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply today at AFI.edu.

#Apply #FilmSchool #GraduateSchool #Cinematography #Editing #Screenwriting #Producing #ProductionDesign

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🎬 AFI prepares filmmakers for careers in film. Affonso Gonçalves (AFI Class of 1993) honed his editing skills at the #AFIConservatory, building a craft that has led to a distinguished film career, including his work on HAMNET.

Applications for AFI’s Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply today at AFI.edu.

#Apply #FilmSchool #GraduateSchool #Cinematography #Editing #Screenwriting #Producing #ProductionDesign

“AFI was one of the best things to ever happen to me.” For producer Deniese Davis (AFI Class of 2012), the #AFIConservatory provided the skills, experience and connections that continue to shape her work on projects like ONE OF THEM DAYS.

Applications for AFI’s Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply today at AFI.edu.

#Apply #FilmSchool #GraduateSchool #Cinematography #Editing #Screenwriting #Producing #ProductionDesign

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“AFI was one of the best things to ever happen to me.” For producer Deniese Davis (AFI Class of 2012), the #AFIConservatory provided the skills, experience and connections that continue to shape her work on projects like ONE OF THEM DAYS.

Applications for AFI’s Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply today at AFI.edu.

#Apply #FilmSchool #GraduateSchool #Cinematography #Editing #Screenwriting #Producing #ProductionDesign

🎥 From student films to major Hollywood productions, Argya Sadan (AFI Class of 2017) has brought her vision to life on projects like David Fincher’s THE KILLER and the hit TV series 9-1-1. Her journey began at the #AFIConservatory, where she developed the skills for a thriving career in production design.

Applications for AFI’s Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply today at AFI.edu.

#Apply #FilmSchool #GraduateSchool #Cinematography #Editing #Screenwriting #Producing #ProductionDesign

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🎥 From student films to major Hollywood productions, Argya Sadan (AFI Class of 2017) has brought her vision to life on projects like David Fincher’s THE KILLER and the hit TV series 9-1-1. Her journey began at the #AFIConservatory, where she developed the skills for a thriving career in production design.

Applications for AFI’s Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply today at AFI.edu.

#Apply #FilmSchool #GraduateSchool #Cinematography #Editing #Screenwriting #Producing #ProductionDesign

✍ Great storytelling starts at AFI. Brad Ingelsby (AFI Class of 2005), writer, producer and director of TASK, built the foundational skills at the #AFIConservatory that continue to drive his success in film and television.

Applications for AFI’s Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply today at AFI.edu. #Apply #FilmSchool #GraduateSchool #Cinematography #Editing #Screenwriting #Producing #ProductionDesign

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✍ Great storytelling starts at AFI. Brad Ingelsby (AFI Class of 2005), writer, producer and director of TASK, built the foundational skills at the #AFIConservatory that continue to drive his success in film and television.

Applications for AFI’s Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply today at AFI.edu. #Apply #FilmSchool #GraduateSchool #Cinematography #Editing #Screenwriting #Producing #ProductionDesign

🎬 AFI dominates the lineup at the 2026 #Sundance Film Festival! Click the link in bio to see what impact the #AFIConservatory community has upon one of the premier film festivals in the world!

Applications for AFI’s Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply at AFI.edu.

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🎬 AFI dominates the lineup at the 2026 #Sundance Film Festival! Click the link in bio to see what impact the #AFIConservatory community has upon one of the premier film festivals in the world!

Applications for AFI’s Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply at AFI.edu.

🎬 AFI dominates the lineup at the 2026 #Sundance Film Festival! Swipe through to see what impact the #AFIConservatory community has upon one of the premier film festivals in the world!

Applications for AFI’s Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply at AFI.edu.

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🎬 AFI dominates the lineup at the 2026 #Sundance Film Festival! Swipe through to see what impact the #AFIConservatory community has upon one of the premier film festivals in the world!

Applications for AFI’s Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply at AFI.edu.

THE MUSICAL, an #AFIConservatory short film from 2022, will make its World Premiere as a feature film at the 2026 #Sundance Film Festival next month! It’s a powerful example of AFI’s learn-by-doing approach and what’s possible through creative collaboration. Congratulations to the talented team bringing this project to life.

⭐ Giselle Bonilla (AFI Class of 2023), Director
⭐ Alexander Heller (AFI Class of 2023), Screenwriter and Producer
⭐ Jordan Backhus (AFI Class of 2020), Producer
⭐ Findlay Brown (AFI Class of 2023), Producer
⭐ Jonathan Levine (AFI Class of 2004), Executive Producer
⭐ Tu Do (AFI Class of 2023), Cinematographer
⭐ Alexa McWhorter (AFI Class of 2023), Art Director
⭐ Devin Dulany (AFI Class of 2023), Editor
⭐ Gus Murray (AFI Class of 2023), 2nd Assistant Director
⭐ Kate McCarthy (AFI Class of 2024), 2nd Assistant Director
⭐ Roxanne Griffith (AFI Class of 2020), Unit Production Manager
⭐️Sam Gallen (AFI Class of 2025), Office PA

Applications for AFI`s Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply today at AFI.edu.

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THE MUSICAL, an #AFIConservatory short film from 2022, will make its World Premiere as a feature film at the 2026 #Sundance Film Festival next month! It’s a powerful example of AFI’s learn-by-doing approach and what’s possible through creative collaboration. Congratulations to the talented team bringing this project to life.

⭐ Giselle Bonilla (AFI Class of 2023), Director
⭐ Alexander Heller (AFI Class of 2023), Screenwriter and Producer
⭐ Jordan Backhus (AFI Class of 2020), Producer
⭐ Findlay Brown (AFI Class of 2023), Producer
⭐ Jonathan Levine (AFI Class of 2004), Executive Producer
⭐ Tu Do (AFI Class of 2023), Cinematographer
⭐ Alexa McWhorter (AFI Class of 2023), Art Director
⭐ Devin Dulany (AFI Class of 2023), Editor
⭐ Gus Murray (AFI Class of 2023), 2nd Assistant Director
⭐ Kate McCarthy (AFI Class of 2024), 2nd Assistant Director
⭐ Roxanne Griffith (AFI Class of 2020), Unit Production Manager
⭐️Sam Gallen (AFI Class of 2025), Office PA

Applications for AFI's Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, Producing and Production Design disciplines have been extended through January 5. Apply today at AFI.edu.

Aspiring producers! Join AFI Producing Head Rebecca Green for a live Q&A on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. PT. Bring your questions about projects, career paths and the Producing discipline, and learn more about the AFI Producing Program and how to strengthen your application. RSVP at the link in our bio.

#AFIConservatory #FilmSchool #Apply #GraduateSchool #Producing #Producer

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Aspiring producers! Join AFI Producing Head Rebecca Green for a live Q&A on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. PT. Bring your questions about projects, career paths and the Producing discipline, and learn more about the AFI Producing Program and how to strengthen your application. RSVP at the link in our bio.

#AFIConservatory #FilmSchool #Apply #GraduateSchool #Producing #Producer

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What to Watch: December 2025

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