Admissions Requirements

The AFI Conservatory is searching for next generation filmmakers with individual artistic voices to apply as Fellows to one of the six disciplines in our MFA program. Through impressive contributions to film and television, Fellows at the Conservatory bring to life our mission and vision by serving as artists and leaders in the art of storytelling and influencing culture.

This information will give you the opportunity to learn how to successfully apply to the MFA program, as well as provide instructions on material submissions for the Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design, and Screenwriting disciplines.

2020–2021 Admission Requirements

All applicants for admission to the MFA or Certificate of Completion at the AFI Conservatory must submit the following:

ONLINE APPLICATION

No paper applications will be accepted. Please click here to access the application. A separate application is required if applying to more than one discipline.

*SCREEN AUSTRALIA ONBASS FELLOWSHIP APPLICANTS: Please indicate on your application for the appropriate question if you wish to be considered for regular admissions should you not receive the Fellowship. If you do not wish to be considered, we will withdraw your application from consideration. If yes, you will be rolled into the regular admissions process and notification timeline.

APPLICATION FEE

Application Fee: $90

Please note that if you choose to apply to more than one discipline, you must pay an additional application fee for each discipline application you choose to submit. Applications cannot be reviewed until you submit all of the required materials, including this fee. You may choose to pay by credit card via PayPal from the online application. Credit cards accepted via PayPal: Visa, Mastercard and Discover. We do not accept American Express.

NARRATIVE STATEMENT

The narrative statement is a very important part of your application for admission. It allows you the opportunity to express who you are as an individual and a filmmaker, your desires to pursue your area of interest, and explain to us how the AFI Conservatory will contribute to your goal as a filmmaker.

This document should 1-3 pages in length, double spaced, listing your name, discipline, “Fall 2020” at the top of each page, and saved as a PDF. Please include the following elements:

Your background.
Your motivation for applying to the discipline.
Why AFI Conservatory?

If applying to more than one discipline, each narrative statement should reflect particular thoughts regarding that individual discipline. You must supply a different Narrative Statement for each discipline specific application so that you properly address the required prompt(s). Please note that Directing, Editing, and Screenwriting do not have departmental prompts, so you may craft your Narrative Statement as you wish.

Disciplines with Required Prompt:

Cinematographers, please also briefly discuss what cinematography and/or cinematographers have inspired you, what brings you to study at the AFI Conservatory, and events in your life that may have been transformative.

Producers, please also explain why you are interested in Producing as opposed to another filmmaking discipline.

Production Designers, please also speak to your design process and your thoughts on what collaboration is and its place in that process.

RESUME

Your résumé should detail your professional work, set experience, education level and degree(s) earned.

TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Please provide the names of two individuals who will provide a recommendation (along with valid e-mail addresses for both) within the online application. The recommenders will be e-mailed a link to an online recommendation form from [email protected] after you submit your application. Please follow up with your recommenders to ensure they have completed the online recommendation as your application cannot be reviewed without them. We will only accept submissions directly from the recommender. Submissions provided by the applicant will not be considered. No hard copy letters are accepted.

Because the online forms are not sent until after you submit your application, there is a grace period for letters to be received. All recommendation letters must be received by Tuesday, December 10* or your application may not be reviewed.

*SCREEN AUSTRALIA ONBASS FELLOWSHIP APPLICANTS: As your application is due on Sunday, October 13 PST, recommendation forms must be submitted by Sunday, October 20 PST in order for your application to be considered for the Fellowship. Refer back to the application instructions for details.

TRANSCRIPTS

The AFIC Admissions Office will accept unofficial transcripts during the admissions process. You will be asked to upload the unofficial transcripts in your application under the Upload Documents section. All transcripts should be merged into one PDF to upload. Unofficial transcripts should also include a grading legend, if applicable. For international applicants: all credentials and transcripts must include an official English translation (if applicable).

Please note: Unofficial transcripts are required from any school you list on your application regardless if a degree was earned or not. Unofficial transcripts may include the following: undergraduate degree, graduate degree, workshops, extension courses, and/or transfer credit information. If a school cannot provide transcripts, a letter from the school stating so is required. A school cannot be removed or deleted from your application once you submit it so please keep this in mind when listing the schools you attended.

Once you submit your application, transcripts will remain as a missing document until the Admissions office can verify unofficial transcripts have been uploaded for every school listed. Please allow the Admissions office at least 10 business days to verify.

Official transcripts will be required should you be offered acceptance and decide to enroll at the AFI Conservatory. At this point, the Admissions office will give you instructions about how to send official transcripts. Official transcripts will be needed from the school(s) listed on your application. They will be due at the same time as your seat confirmation deposit. For international applicants: all credentials and transcripts must include an original (no copies) plus an official English translation (if applicable). A bachelor’s equivalency report will also be required at this time. The Registrar determines final evaluation of applicants’ records.

AFI SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

If you wish to apply for AFI Scholarship funds, you must submit the AFI Conservatory scholarship application with your application for admission. Download and fill out the form, attach the application with all required documents, merge information into one PDF document and upload it to your application.

If you are applying to more than one discipline and wish to be considered for scholarships, you must submit a separate scholarship application and required essays for each application.

AFI Scholarship consideration is open to domestic and international applicants. Late applications may not be considered.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

International applicants must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score if English is not the applicant’s native language. Applications will not be reviewed without the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score. No exceptions.

We recommend International applicants take the TOEFL or IELTS (not IETLS) prior to submitting their application and report the qualifying minimum score. Qualifying official TOEFL or IELTS scores are due by Tuesday, December 10 or your application may not be reviewed.

The minimum TOEFL score requirement is 100 Internet-based score (IBT), 250 computer-based (CBT) or 600 paper-based (PBT). The minimum IELTS score requirement is 7.0. Please allow appropriate time for test scheduling and the distribution of results. For testing information, go to ETS.org or IELTS.org. TOEFL or IELTS tests must be taken within 24 months of the date you apply to the Conservatory.

Please have TOEFL and IELTS submit test results electronically. The AFI Conservatory testing code is 9760.

Scores submitted by the applicant are not official.

International Applicants — click here to learn more.

DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC SUPPORTING MATERIALS/PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Cinematography applicants are required to submit the following:

One example of original work that best demonstrates talent, ability and experience as a Cinematographer. The Moving Image submission can be no longer than 20 minutes in length, and you must be the sole Cinematographer on the project. The submission should demonstrate your narrative ability.
Complete a “Ten-Sixty” video assignment with the subject of the video being “Disappointment”: 10 shots of video with total duration of 60 seconds. No audio but music is allowed. No significant text, fancy transitions or color effects allowed. This should be a narrative video of 10 images, up to 60 seconds maximum TRT. We are interested in seeing your story-telling skills. Creativity is key and does not have to have large production value, so you may use your cell phone for the project.
Still photographs portfolio provided on a merged PDF. One image per page. No montages, no screenshots. The presentation of your images is noticed. Please limit file size to 25mb or smaller.

Supplemental Submissions (optional):

A second example of an original work that best demonstrates your talent, ability, and experience as a Cinematographer. The moving image submission can be no longer than 20 minutes in length, and you must be the sole Cinematographer.
A summary “reel” of up to three minutes
A short sample of documentary work you may have done

Submissions will be accepted via YouTube or Vimeo links within the online application; all submissions should include whether or not the project was completed at an educational institution and the format(s)/camera used for each. DO NOT PASSWORD PROTECT THE VIDEO LINKS YOU PROVIDE IN YOUR APPLICATION.

DIRECTING

Directing applicants are required to submit the following:

Submit an example of a moving image project that you have personally directed and that best demonstrates individual talent and ability. You may submit the best 10 continuous minutes from a feature or a short whose TRT is longer than 10 minutes, or you may submit a completed short that is less than 10 minutes TRT. Submissions that are longer than 10 minutes will not be considered for admission. Only work that the applicant has directed (not co-directed) will be considered. The project should be in English or be subtitled in English.
Direct and write an original short moving image project for the AFI Conservatory on the topic of “A Secret”. The project should be no longer than 5 minutes in length and can be shot on your cell phone. We are interested in seeing your story-telling skills. Creativity is key here – not production value. The project should be in English or be subtitled in English.
Describe why you made the moving image project in #1 and the lesson(s) you learned from making it (one page maximum).
Describe why you made the moving image project in #2 and the lesson(s) you learned from making it (one page maximum).

Submit the script for “The Secret” project in #2.

All essays must be saved as a PDF, typed, double spaced, listing your name, discipline, and fall 2020 at the top of the page.

Submissions will be accepted via a link to YouTube or Vimeo in the online application; DO NOT PASSWORD PROTECT THE VIDEO LINKS YOU PROVIDE IN YOUR APPLICATION. All written statements must be submitted in PDF format within the application. Please include your name, discipline and date on each page of the written statements.

EDITING

Submit two different examples of original work of which you are the sole editor on that best demonstrates talent and ability. Sample pieces should be no more than 20 minutes per sample and should demonstrate narrative ability. Only one piece of work per link allowed. No editor reels are accepted.

Submissions will be accepted via YouTube or Vimeo links within the online application. DO NOT PASSWORD PROTECT THE VIDEO LINKS YOU PROVIDE IN YOUR APPLICATION.

PRODUCING

Applicants are required to submit:

Vision Statement—Please submit a 1-2 page statement on a story you would like to create as a feature or TV show. Whether an original idea or an adaptation based on a novel, play, magazine article, current news event, or historical event, please include:
1. Articulate the theme(s) that drew you to the story, character details, and style.
2. Explain why you want to tell this story and why you think it will appeal to audiences
Short Answers— Please answer two out of three of the following questions. One-page maximum total; please devote a half page to each of your two questions only.
1. Tell us something about an incident in your life when you acted in a way that surprised even you.
2. Tell us something that people might assume about you that actually isn’t right- and what is the truer version?
3. What two qualities do you possess that would serve you well as a producer?

Supplemental submissions are not required but can include:

Submit a link to any visual work which you think best represents your endeavors up to this point. Please specify your role. The project should be no longer than 10 minutes in length and should be in English or subtitled in English.

Submissions will be accepted via a link to YouTube or Vimeo in the online application; DO NOT PASSWORD PROTECT THE VIDEO LINKS YOU PROVIDE IN YOUR APPLICATION.

All essays must be saved as a PDF, typed, double spaced, listing your name, discipline, and fall 2020 at the top of the page.

PRODUCTION DESIGN

Applicants must submit samples of work that demonstrate evidence of your design process as the committee wishes to see your ability in the following areas and not just the finished project. Your portfolio should include all or a majority of the following skills: architectural, theater or industrial design hand drafting, computer drafting (Vector Works, CAD, SketchUp), hand and computer model-making skills, perspective, sketching and life-drawing ability, set and prop construction experience, graphic design (Photoshop and Illustrator) and set decorating ability.

Portfolio materials must be formatted as PDF files at 72ppi. Please limit content to a maximum of 24 pages. There is a file size limitation of 25mb when uploading your portfolio. A link to your personal design website and/or a link to a moving image production featuring your design work is optional but available via the application.

SCREENWRITING

Screenwriting applicants are required to submit the following:

A PDF of a typed screenplay in professional format (20 pages maximum) of which you are the sole screenwriter. If the sample is from a longer script, submit a descriptive synopsis of no more than one page of the entire script for reference purposes. Co-authored and adaptations will not be considered. Be sure to include a title page with your name, 2020-2021 SCR, and e-mail address.
Write a scene in professional format on the topic of “An Encounter” (five pages maximum). Be sure to include a title page with your name, 2020-2021 SCR, and e-mail address.

Before you apply…

Read the FAQ as it provides an answer to many frequently asked questions.
Learn about tuition, fees, and estimated living expenses by reviewing and understanding the cost of attendance to the Conservatory.
Prepare these items and documents before you fill out your online application: transcripts, supporting materials, TOEFL or IELTS minimum score (if applicable).
Review the discipline-specific requirements to prepare for submitting the online application.
If you anticipate needing tuition assistance, please visit our Scholarships page to learn more about our donor-based scholarship opportunities and qualifying criteria.
Add [email protected] and the domain address AFI.com to your email settings as communications about your application will come from [email protected] or a staff email address. Check your spam folder as well to ensure you receive all important communications.
NOTE: All documents should be saved as a PDF, typed, double spaced, listing your name, discipline, and “Fall 2020” at the top of each page–unless otherwise noted.

APPLICATION DEADLINES 2020

Online applications and portfolio requirements must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on the designated dates below.

Extended Deadline of January 15, 2020: Cinematography, Editing, Producing and Production Design

December 1, 2019: Directing and Screenwriting

Please be advised that letters of recommendation, transcripts, and/or TOEFL/IETLS scores (if applicable) must be received by Tuesday, December 10 for the December 1 deadline and January 27 for the January 15 deadline, in order for your application to be reviewed.

REVIEW and INTERVIEW PROCESS

The applicant’s completed application, narrative statement, resume, letters of recommendation, transcripts (if applicable) along with the other required Admissions materials will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee to determine if a candidate will be invited to participate in an interview.

Interviews for all disciplines take place on campus or via Skype.

Due to the high volume of applications that are processed, the Admissions Office does not provide application status updates. All decisions will be communicated via email on the pre-determined notification dates. Application materials are not returned to the applicant.

The review and interview process will determine acceptance.

NOTIFICATION

Applicants will be notified of their final admissions status via e-mail during the month of March 2020.

The Admissions Committee does not provide individual critiques of any applicant’s work. The decisions of the Admissions Committee are final and not subject to appeal. Individuals who are denied admission to a program of study are not entitled access to materials relating to the denied application. Application materials are not returned to the applicant.