The American Film Institute believes in the power of diverse voices to drive culture forward. As America’s leading filmmaker training program, the AFI Conservatory is committed to establishing equity in education, career advancement and visual storytelling.

The AFI Cinematography Intensive Workshop (CIW) is a tuition-free, four-day workshop designed for aspiring cinematographers committed to their journey toward a professional career as cinematographers, who have some on-set experience working in the field and are looking for additional training to help them advance in their education, craft and career.

Hands-on master classes in the fundamentals of cinematography constitute the core of the program. In addition, participants will have exposure to professional tools and techniques and will analyze specific work crafted by professional cinematographers. The goal of the program is to provide participants with a toolkit to secure on-set experience in the field and first-hand industry insights demonstrating the path to professional career success.

Applications are now closed for the 2025 Cinematography Intensive Workshop.

Please contact CIW@AFI.edu with any questions about the program.

Stephen Lighthill, Cinematography Discipline Head, AFI; (Photo by: Michael Pessah, ASC)

CIW is part of the AFI Conservatory’s Department of Innovative Programs, which also includes AFI DWW+. Through a range of learning opportunities, Innovative Programs serves a diverse community of aspiring visual storytellers to cultivate cutting-edge technological and media-making skills, bridge access to professional networks and place participants on an upward career trajectory.

The AFI Conservatory MFA program has propelled cinematographers to great success, including Academy Award® nominee Rachel Morrison (BLACK PANTHER, MUDBOUND), the first woman ever nominated for an Oscar® for Best Cinematography, as well as Emmy® nominee Ava Berkofsky, ASC (INSECURE), Carolina Costa (HIGH SCHOOL, HALA), Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC (BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER), Paula Huidobro (Academy Award® Best Picture winner CODA), two-time Grammy® Award winner Melina Matsoukas (Beyoncé’s “Formation,” INSECURE, as director), Polly Morgan, ASC, BSC (THE WOMAN KING) and Mimi Leder (THE MORNING SHOW, as director), among others.