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APPLICATIONS OPEN SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

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Thank you for your interest in the AFI Conservatory! We will email you more information shortly. Learn more about the conservatory at AFI.edu

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ABOUT THE CONSERVATORY

AFI Conservatory Alumni

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Patty Jenkins quote

I’m so grateful for my years at AFI… They helped me find my voice and defining principles of story and craft that inform me to this day.”

Patty Jenkins (AFI Class of 2000),
director, MONSTER, WONDER WOMAN

Todd Field quote

If you’re here, you’re talented, if you’re here, the person next to you is talented, the person behind you is talented.”

Todd Field (AFI Class of 1992),
writer/director, TÁR, IN THE BEDROOM

Affonso Goncalves quote

When I graduated and started working, that was when I started to really appreciate AFI because everything I had learned, I could immediately start putting into practice and apply to the actual job.”

Affonso Gonçalves (AFI Class of 1993),
editor, CAROL, DON’T WORRY DARLING

David Lynch quote

AFI opens doors for the filmmakers. AFI puts filmmakers on the map.”

David Lynch (AFI Class of 1970), writer/director, TWIN PEAKS, MULHOLLAND DRIVE

Polly Morgan quote

AFI was the perfect stepping-stone. Attending helped me push my skill set further, to become the DP that I always wanted to be.”

Polly Morgan (AFI Class of 2010) cinematographer, THE WOMAN KING, A QUIET PLACE PART II

Melina Matsoukas quote

AFI really is inclusive, that they want to promote diverse voices, they want to promote challenging the status quo and the ideas of what we’ve traditionally seen as acceptable in Hollywood.”

Melina Matsoukas (AFI Class of 2005), cinematographer/director, INSECURE, QUEEN & SLIM

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AFI CONSERVATORY CONVERSATION GUESTS

Guillermo del Toro: "Making Art Requires Everything You Are"
Chloé Zhao on Cast and Crew Bringing Emotion to the Set of HAMNET
SENTIMENTAL VALUE Joachim Trier On Working with Actors
Joachim Trier On SENTIMENTAL VALUE
Will Tracy on Writing BUGONIA | AFI Conservatory
Yorgos Lanthimos on BUGONIA and Working with Editor Yorgos “Blackfish” Mavropsaridis | AFI
Danny DeVito: "Be kind, Be Mindful of Everybody's Space"
Danny DeVito: Never Feel Like You Didn’t Give It a Try
Akinola Davies Jr. on Why He Shot MY FATHER’S SHADOW on Film
Noah Baumbach on Writing and the Musicality of Words
Chloé Zhao on the Artist’s Journey: “Surrender to Not Knowing”
How TRON: ARES Writer Jesse Wigutow Approaches Screenwriting
Ari Aster: "After AFI, I understood what it meant to direct"
ADOLESCENCE Co-Creators Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne on Making their Acclaimed TV Drama
Behind the Scenes: Erin Foster on Making NOBODY WANTS THIS
Peter Berg Breaks Down American Primeval
BOB TREVINO LIKES IT Filmmaker Conversation at AFI
A Conversation with Deniese Davis & Monique Dias on ONE OF THEM DAYS
A Conversation with MARIA Cinematographer Ed Lachman
A Conversation with THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG's Mohammad Rasoulof & Setareh Maleki
EMILIA PÉREZ Director/Writer/Producer Jacques Audiard on David Lynch
Jesse Eisenberg Discusses His Film A REAL PAIN
A Conversation with Azazel Jacobs on HIS THREE DAUGHTERS
A Conversation with JT Mollner & Giovanni Ribisi on STRANGE DARLING
RaMell Ross on the Friendship of the Characters in NICKEL BOYS
Malcolm Washington on his film THE PIANO LESSON
Sean Wang on his film DÌDI
Anna Kendrick Discusses Her Film WOMAN OF THE HOUR
In Conversation with THE SUBSTANCE Filmmaker Coralie Fargeat
Halfdan Ullmann Tøndell on ARMAND
MORE VIDEOS
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AFI CONSERVATORY NEWS

What to Watch: AFI Alumni Projects | March 2026
What to Watch: AFI Alumni Projects | March 2026
2026 Hollywood Guild Awards Honor AFI Conservatory Alumni
2026 Hollywood Guild Awards Honor AFI Conservatory Alumni
Oscar-Nominated Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw to Receive American Film Institute’s 32nd Annual Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal
Oscar-Nominated Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw to Receive American Film Institute’s 32nd Annual Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal
What to Watch: AFI Alumni Projects | February 2026
What to Watch: AFI Alumni Projects | February 2026
AFI Alumni Premiere New Films at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival
AFI Alumni Premiere New Films at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival
AFI Conservatory Alumni Honored with 2026 Oscar® Nominations
AFI Conservatory Alumni Honored with 2026 Oscar® Nominations
AFI Announces DWW+ Class of 2027 and Names Lily Mariye as Guest Artistic Director for New Cohort
AFI Announces DWW+ Class of 2027 and Names Lily Mariye as Guest Artistic Director for New Cohort
What to Watch: AFI Alumni Projects | January 2026
What to Watch: AFI Alumni Projects | January 2026
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#AFICONSERVATORY

🎬 We’re honored to announce Quinta Brunson will be the Keynote Speaker for the #AFIDWW+ Showcase on March 4. The Emmy® Award-winning triple threat will join us in celebrating the AFI DWW+ Class of 2026 as they premiere their bold new films. Learn more at the link in bio. ✨

#AFIConservatory #Filmmaking #QuintaBrunson
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🎬 At AFI, you learn from the masters. Editor Stephen Mirrione joined #AFIConservatory Fellows for an exclusive masterclass, sharing his approach to shaping F1: THE MOVIE. #GuestLecture #FilmSchool #Editing

Ready to turn your filmmaking dreams into reality? Applications remain open for AFI’s Editing and Production Design disciplines through May 1. Apply today at AFI.edu.
...

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🎬 At AFI, you learn from the masters. Guillermo del Toro joined AFI Fellows for an exclusive conversation about FRANKENSTEIN, including sharing that "making art requires everything you are."

#AFIConservatory #GuestLecture #FilmSchool #GuillermodelToro #Frankenstein
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🎬 At AFI, you learn from the masters. Academy Award nominee director/co-writer #JoachimTrier spoke with #AFIConservatory Fellows about SENTIMENTAL VALUE and his process of collaborating with actors to shape authentic performances.

#GuestLecture #FilmSchool #SentimentalValue
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🎬 At AFI, you learn from the masters. Director, screenwriter, producer and co-editor Kahlil Joseph, producer Onye Anyanwu (AFI Class of 2011) and editor Luke Lynch (AFI Class of 2009) joined Fellows of the #AFIConservatory for an inspiring conversation about their creative journeys and their latest project, BLKNWS: TERMS & CONDITIONS.

Ready to turn your filmmaking dreams into reality? 🎥 Applications remain open for AFI’s #Editing and #ProductionDesign disciplines through May 1. Apply today at AFI.edu.
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🎬 At AFI, you learn from the masters. The #AFIConservatory welcomed director and producer @paulfeig for an exclusive screening of THE HOUSEMAID, followed by an inspiring conversation with Fellows on the art of filmmaking. #GuestLecture #FilmSchool

Ready to turn your filmmaking dreams into reality? 🎥 Applications remain open for AFI’s #Editing and #ProductionDesign disciplines through May 1. Apply today at AFI.edu.
...

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At AFI, you learn from the masters – and the leaders shaping the film industry. A full house for Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group Chair & CEO Tom Rothman in conversation with #AFIConservatory Fellows about the film business, joined by THE TOWN podcast hosts Matthew Belloni and Lucas Shaw. Listen to the episode next week. Video from the conversation coming soon! ...

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Congratulations to Michael Bauman (AFI Class of 1992) on his #AcademyAward nomination for Best Cinematography for ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. 👏👏👏 #oscarnoms #afialumni #aficonservatory #oscars ...

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Congratulations to Autumn Durald Arkapaw (AFI Class of 2009) on her #AcademyAward nomination for Best Cinematography for SINNERS. 👏👏👏 #oscarnoms #afialumni #aficonservatory #oscars ...

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🚨LAST CHANCE🚨 Today is your FINAL opportunity to apply to the #AFIConservatory for #Cinematography, #Editing, #ProductionDesign, #Producing and #Screenwriting! Don’t miss the chance to shape your future in film. Apply NOW at AFI.edu. #ApplyNow #FilmSchool #GraduateSchool ...

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Time is running out—applications for the #AFIConservatory close in just 2 days! 🎬✨ Elevate your craft and find your future at one of the top film schools. Apply now at AFI.edu. #Apply #FilmSchool #GraduateSchool ...

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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
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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
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