Currently set to Index
Currently set to Follow
CONSERVATORY
FESTIVALS
AWARDS
PRESERVATION
LISTS
AFI SILVER THEATRE
SUPPORT
AFI
header logo

Menu

Cinematography

Directing

Editing

Producing

Production Design

Screenwriting

VIEW UPCOMING ADMISSIONS EVENTS

 

AFI Alumni Projects at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival

The 2022 Tribeca Film Festival is right around the corner. Taking place from June 8-19, the 21st edition of the acclaimed festival – which will…

AFI Spotlight Interview: PACHINKO Writer Franklin Rho

Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, writer/director Franklin Rho (AFI Class of 2004) grew up with a passion for auteur-driven arthouse cinema which ultimately led him to…

Siân Heder to Receive AFI’s 30th Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Apple AFI announced today that Academy Award® winner Siân Heder (AFI DWW Class of 2005), writer and director of CODA, this…

AFI Somos Nosotros Latinx Scholarship Announced

We’re thrilled to announce that AFI and Somos Nosotros have partnered to establish a scholarship for Latinx Screenwriting Fellows in the AFI Conservatory program. The…

AFI Alumni Projects Selected for the 75th Cannes Film Festival!

The Cannes Film Festival kicks off its 75th anniversary edition this spring, showcasing new films from veteran filmmakers and emerging voices alike. The prestigious event…

Slide
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.

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

A Training Ground for Trailblazers

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 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: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting.

LEARN MORE

Work with the Masters in Los Angeles

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

WATCH SEMINARS

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

PARASITE director Bong Joon Ho on tone in his films

A Bridge to the Industry

As a top-ranked film school located in Los Angeles, the AFI Conservatory 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

AFI offers scholarships to help incoming and current Fellows pay for their 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.

LEARN MORE

Alumni Recognition

Last Five Years

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

Academy Awards®

12
Nominations

3
Wins

Emmy Awards®

98
Nominations
14
Wins

Major Festivals

670
Alumni on
414
Films
AFI DOCS, AFI FEST, Berlin, Cannes, London, New York, Sundance, SXSW, Telluride, Toronto, Tribeca and Venice

Updated as of Mar. 28, 2022

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:

52%are women
49%are American filmmakers of color
37%are international

Updated as of Feb. 3, 2022

#AFICONSERVATORY

americanfilminstitute

View on Instagram

May 18

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17864364797725004 We’re so happy to see the #CAAMoebiusFilmFestival return as an in-person event this year, and even happier to see that these AFI thesis films & AFI filmmakers will be celebrated. 🎥 🎉 #aficonservatory #studentfilms @creativeartistsagency @luxnoctisfilm (All AFI Class of 2020) @damianaacuna, Writer/Director @airudolph, Producer @olivipilivi, Cinematographer @marioandrewfierro, Editor @mollymoses16, Production Designer @carrionthefilm (All AFI Class of 2021) @yvonneofthe, Writer/Director @s.f.hartley , Producer @the_other_meg_white, Cinematographer Marina Pérez Ramírez, Prod. Designer @jess_underwater, Editor Rebecca Leo, Story Editor @magdalenathefilm @mikewsky_ (Class of 2021), Writer/Director @yukyshen (Class of 2021), Producer @max_hershy (Class of 2021), Story Editor @pzamoran (Class of 2021), Producer @enricosilvadp (Class of 2021), Cinematographer @joe_kingstagram (Class of 2021), Editor Simon Gao (Class of 2021), Prod. Designer Rui Arichika (Class of 2021), Gaffer William Christensen (Class of 2016), Steadicam Oli Cohen (Class of 2021), Best Electric Guanting Du (Class of 2021), Key Grip @noamklement (Class of 2021), Asst Editor @jess_underwater (Class of 2021), Asst Editor @cubittdaniel (Class of 2021), Prod Asst @chorusfilm @daniel.j.egbert (Class of 2021), Writer/Director @gg_lling (Class of 2021), Producer @bellafinn Parisot (Class of 2021), Cinematographer @peterlejuend (Class of 2021), Editor @abvanced (Class of 2022), Prod. Designer @gina_gtz92 (Class of 2022), Art Director Cyrum Ramirez Zaldivar (Class of 2022), Set Decoration @nikki.mejia (Class of 2021), 2nd Assistant Director @vihdio (Class of 2021), 2nd Assistant Director @michaeldsaburov (Class of 2020), 1st Assistant Director @simongao0630 (Class of 2021), Set Dresser @peterlejuend (Class of 2021), Storyboard Artist @simmayyy (Class of 2022), Set Dresser Eva Neuwirth (Class of 2021), Set Dresser Marina Pérez Ramírez (Class of 2021), Swing Joss Utting (Class of 2021), Set Dresser @ruiarichika (Class of 2021), Best Girl Electric @bholden19 (Class of 2021), 1st Asst Camera @hlipnick (Class of 2021), Gaffer @noamklement (Class of 2021), Asst Editor

We’re so happy to see the #CAAMoebiusFilmFestival return as an in-person event this year, and even happier to see that these AFI thesis films & AFI filmmakers will be celebrated. 🎥 🎉 #aficonservatory #studentfilms @creativeartistsagency

@luxnoctisfilm
(All AFI Class of 2020)
@damianaacuna, Writer/Director
@airudolph, Producer
@olivipilivi, Cinematographer
@marioandrewfierro, Editor
@mollymoses16, Production Designer

@carrionthefilm
(All AFI Class of 2021)
@yvonneofthe, Writer/Director
@s.f.hartley , Producer
@the_other_meg_white, Cinematographer
Marina Pérez Ramírez, Prod. Designer
@jess_underwater, Editor
Rebecca Leo, Story Editor

@magdalenathefilm
@mikewsky_ (Class of 2021), Writer/Director
@yukyshen (Class of 2021), Producer
@max_hershy (Class of 2021), Story Editor
@pzamoran (Class of 2021), Producer
@enricosilvadp (Class of 2021), Cinematographer
@joe_kingstagram (Class of 2021), Editor
Simon Gao (Class of 2021), Prod. Designer
Rui Arichika (Class of 2021), Gaffer
William Christensen (Class of 2016), Steadicam
Oli Cohen (Class of 2021), Best Electric
Guanting Du (Class of 2021), Key Grip
@noamklement (Class of 2021), Asst Editor
@jess_underwater (Class of 2021), Asst Editor
@cubittdaniel (Class of 2021), Prod Asst

@chorusfilm
@daniel.j.egbert (Class of 2021), Writer/Director
@gg_lling (Class of 2021), Producer
@bellafinn Parisot (Class of 2021), Cinematographer
@peterlejuend (Class of 2021), Editor
@abvanced (Class of 2022), Prod. Designer
@gina_gtz92 (Class of 2022), Art Director
Cyrum Ramirez Zaldivar (Class of 2022), Set Decoration
@nikki.mejia (Class of 2021), 2nd Assistant Director
@vihdio (Class of 2021), 2nd Assistant Director
@michaeldsaburov (Class of 2020), 1st Assistant Director
@simongao0630 (Class of 2021), Set Dresser
@peterlejuend (Class of 2021), Storyboard Artist
@simmayyy (Class of 2022), Set Dresser
Eva Neuwirth (Class of 2021), Set Dresser
Marina Pérez Ramírez (Class of 2021), Swing
Joss Utting (Class of 2021), Set Dresser
@ruiarichika (Class of 2021), Best Girl Electric
@bholden19 (Class of 2021), 1st Asst Camera
@hlipnick (Class of 2021), Gaffer
@noamklement (Class of 2021), Asst Editor ...

277 5

americanfilminstitute

View on Instagram

May 13

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17875345454678875 What better way to celebrate AAPI Heritage month than by shining a light on PACHINKO writer Franklin Rho (AFI Class of 2004). Rho and his collaborators have created a show that redefines who gets to be the hero onscreen and we’re here for it. #aapiheritagemonth #heroes #Pachinko #afispotlight #aficonservatory

What better way to celebrate AAPI Heritage month than by shining a light on PACHINKO writer Franklin Rho (AFI Class of 2004). Rho and his collaborators have created a show that redefines who gets to be the hero onscreen and we’re here for it. #aapiheritagemonth #heroes #Pachinko #afispotlight #aficonservatory ...

373 3

americanfilminstitute

View on Instagram

Apr 29

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17925683603148188 Representation matters! Couldn’t be prouder to partner with @NosotrosOrg and the #ThisIsUs family to create an #AFIConservatory scholarship for emerging Latinx writers! #Nosotros #SomosNosotrosFund #WeAreNosotros

Representation matters! Couldn’t be prouder to partner with @NosotrosOrg and the #ThisIsUs family to create an #AFIConservatory scholarship for emerging Latinx writers! #Nosotros #SomosNosotrosFund #WeAreNosotros ...

259 6

americanfilminstitute

View on Instagram

Apr 18

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17915643506510720 We’re only one month away from the @festivaldecannes! So many great films screening this year, but at the top of our must-see list are these films from AFI Conservatory alumni. #afialumni #cannesfilmfestival #aficonservatory #cannes 🎥 #CrimesOfTheFuture Thorsten Schumacher (AFI Class of 2001), Executive Producer 🎥 #DecisionToLeave Ji-yong Kim (AFI Class of 2003), Cinematographer 🎥 #Elvis Jeremy Doner (AFI Class of 1994), Writer 🎥 @topgunmovie Claudia Ethridge (AFI Class of 2018), Art Department Assistant hollydorfflong (AFI Class of 1999), ADR Voice Casting 🎥 #Corsage Gottlieb Pallendorf (AFI Class of 1994), Production Manager 🎥 #TheStranger Thorsten Schumacher (AFI Class of 2001), Executive Producer: Rocket Science Lars Sylvest (AFI Class of 1999), Executive Producer: Rocket Science

We’re only one month away from the @festivaldecannes! So many great films screening this year, but at the top of our must-see list are these films from AFI Conservatory alumni. #afialumni #cannesfilmfestival #aficonservatory #cannes

🎥 #CrimesOfTheFuture
Thorsten Schumacher (AFI Class of 2001), Executive Producer

🎥 #DecisionToLeave
Ji-yong Kim (AFI Class of 2003), Cinematographer

🎥 #Elvis
Jeremy Doner (AFI Class of 1994), Writer

🎥 @topgunmovie
Claudia Ethridge (AFI Class of 2018), Art Department Assistant
hollydorfflong (AFI Class of 1999), ADR Voice Casting

🎥 #Corsage
Gottlieb Pallendorf (AFI Class of 1994), Production Manager

🎥 #TheStranger
Thorsten Schumacher (AFI Class of 2001), Executive Producer: Rocket Science
Lars Sylvest (AFI Class of 1999), Executive Producer: Rocket Science ...

1062 6

americanfilminstitute

View on Instagram

Apr 8

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 18053471431310548 Yesterday’s #GetThePicture image was @Clueless. Did you get it right? Watch this clip of #AFIConservatory alum @AmyHeckerling talk about how she cast @AliciaSilverstone and @PaulRudd_ in the iconic '90s comedy, then go to AFI.com/MovieClub to play today’s #GetThePicture game. #AFIMovieClub

Yesterday’s #GetThePicture image was @Clueless. Did you get it right? Watch this clip of #AFIConservatory alum @AmyHeckerling talk about how she cast @AliciaSilverstone and @PaulRudd_ in the iconic '90s comedy, then go to AFI.com/MovieClub to play today’s #GetThePicture game. #AFIMovieClub ...

238 7

americanfilminstitute

View on Instagram

Apr 8

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17949533353827842 These writers are ready. 💪 Learn more about each of these AFI screenwriters and their original pilot scripts at link in bio. #aficonservatory #afialumni #screenwriting #afi

These writers are ready. 💪 Learn more about each of these AFI screenwriters and their original pilot scripts at link in bio. #aficonservatory #afialumni #screenwriting #afi ...

863 20

americanfilminstitute

View on Instagram

Mar 15

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 18047285947315982 Along with her cat, we’re also celebrating @ajaxabroad’s big news! Congrats, Allison, on being selected as one of four writers for The Fox Writers Incubator program, which supports diverse and creative voices. Very exciting indeed. #afialumni #aficonservatory #diversity #inclusion #screenwriters

Along with her cat, we’re also celebrating @ajaxabroad’s big news! Congrats, Allison, on being selected as one of four writers for The Fox Writers Incubator program, which supports diverse and creative voices. Very exciting indeed. #afialumni #aficonservatory #diversity #inclusion #screenwriters ...

1007 14

americanfilminstitute

View on Instagram

Mar 8

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 18009828298388402 ✨It’s the magic hour for cinematographer @smacmill. ✨ The recent AFI graduate was just awarded a prestigious Student Heritage Award from @the__asc for the AFI thesis film @mylifestoppedat15. Congratulations! #afi #filmschool #aficonservatory #cinematography

✨It’s the magic hour for cinematographer @smacmill. ✨ The recent AFI graduate was just awarded a prestigious Student Heritage Award from @the__asc for the AFI thesis film @mylifestoppedat15. Congratulations! #afi #filmschool #aficonservatory #cinematography ...

257 6

americanfilminstitute

View on Instagram

Mar 8

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17859188702675342 AFI Editor @guanqinglin.vicky doesn’t graduate from the AFI Conservatory until this summer, but she’s already starting to rack up notable awards. Congrats to the AFI Fellow on her big win this weekend at the #ACEEddieAwards! #aficonservatory #filmschool #editing #student #aceeddies

AFI Editor @guanqinglin.vicky doesn’t graduate from the AFI Conservatory until this summer, but she’s already starting to rack up notable awards. Congrats to the AFI Fellow on her big win this weekend at the #ACEEddieAwards! #aficonservatory #filmschool #editing #student #aceeddies ...

340 4

americanfilminstitute

View on Instagram

Mar 7

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17917222238338969 Congrats to all of the #AFIConservatory alums whose films and television series took home trophies at last night’s #spiritawards! #afialumni 🏆BEST FEATURE 🎥 @thelostdaughterfilm ⭐️Affonso Gonçalves (AFI Class of 1993), Editor 🏆BEST DOCUMENTARY 🎥 @summerofsoulmovie ⭐️ @stefanweinberger (AFI Class of 2012), Additional Camera 🏆BEST NEW SCRIPTED SERIES 🎥 @rezdogsfxonhulu ⭐️Varun Viswanath (AFI Class of 2012), Editor 🏆JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD 🎥@shivababymovie ⭐️Rhianon Jones (AFI Class of 2007), Producer 🏆ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD 🎥 @massthemovie ⭐️@jacksonhealy (AFI Class of 2018), Cinematographer

Congrats to all of the #AFIConservatory alums whose films and television series took home trophies at last night’s #spiritawards! #afialumni

🏆BEST FEATURE
🎥 @thelostdaughterfilm
⭐️Affonso Gonçalves (AFI Class of 1993), Editor

🏆BEST DOCUMENTARY
🎥 @summerofsoulmovie
⭐️ @stefanweinberger (AFI Class of 2012), Additional Camera

🏆BEST NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
🎥 @rezdogsfxonhulu
⭐️Varun Viswanath (AFI Class of 2012), Editor

🏆JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
🎥@shivababymovie
⭐️Rhianon Jones (AFI Class of 2007), Producer

🏆ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD
🎥 @massthemovie
⭐️@jacksonhealy (AFI Class of 2018), Cinematographer ...

223 1

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER