2022 Cinematography Visual Essay Showcase- Watch Now.
Cinematography Fellows are challenged to become adept at making fast, informed and inspired creative decisions to harness the visceral power of visual storytelling. Shooting on both digital and film, Fellows have the chance to work on 28 films a year and produce a 35mm visual essay – with unprecedented access to lighting workshops and practical seminars taught by master-level cinematographers.
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.
Film School Learn from the Masters
Ranked the #1 film school in America, AFI brings your favorite master storytellers to our Los Angeles campus to deliver inspiring guest lectures and enlightening seminars where they share their personal experiences and answer your questions about the filmmaking process.
Alumni Cinematographers Include:
Robert Richardson, ASC (AFI Class of 1979)
Nominated 10 times for Best Cinematography, Winner of 3 Oscars
- ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
- THE HATEFUL EIGHT
Wally Pfister, ASC (AFI Class of 1988)
Nominated 4 times for Best Cinematography Oscar, Won in 2010
- INCEPTION
- THE DARK KNIGHT
Rachel Morrison, ASC (AFI Class of 2006)
First woman nominated for Best Cinematography Academy Award
- MUDBOUND
- BLACK PANTHER
Robert Elswit, ASC (AFI Class of 1977)
Winner of Best Cinematography Oscar in 2007
- THERE WILL BE BLOOD
- GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
Matthew Libatique, ASC (AFI Class of 1992)
Nominated twice for Best Cinematography Oscar
- A STAR IS BORN
- BLACK SWAN
Caleb Deschanel, ASC (AFI Class of 1969)
Nominated 6 times for Best Cinematography Oscar
- THE LION KING
- JACK REACHER
John Guleserian (AFI Class of 2005)
- CANDYMAN
- TRANSPARENT
Pawel Pogorzelski (AFI Class of 2010)
- MIDSOMMAR
- HEREDITARY
Masanobu Takayanagi (AFI Class of 2002)
- SPOTLIGHT
- SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Janusz Kamiński, ASC (AFI Class of 1987)
Nominated for 7 Best Cinematography Oscarswith 2 Wins
- SCHINDLER’S LIST
- SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
Paula Huidobro (AFI Class of 2004)
Nominated for Primetime Emmyfor Outstanding Cinematography
- CODA
- BARRY
Chris Manley (AFI Class of 1994)
Nominated for 5 Primetime Emmy Awards
- MASTERS OF SEX
- MAD MEN
Antonio Calvache, ASC (AFI Class of 1992)
- QUEEN SUGAR
- IN THE BEDROOM
Michael Grady (AFI Class of 1993)
- THE MORNING SHOW
- EASY A
Haris Zambarloukos (AFI Class of 1994)
- BELFAST
- THOR
Tim Suhrstedt, ASC (AFI Class of 1976)
EmmyWinner for Outstanding Cinematography
- SILICON VALLEY
- LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
Polly Morgan (AFI Class of 2010)
- LUCY IN THE SKY
- LEGION
AFI Conservatory named to 2022 list of the Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada.
“It was an incredible experience. I was a decent technician already, but AFI made me a much better technician. The most critical thing it gave me was confidence in my own abilities.”
–Academy Award® Nominee Rachel Morrison, ASC
AFI Cinematography Class of 2006
MUDBOUND | BLACK PANTHER