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DIRECTING
MFA

TAKE YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER
TO THE NEXT LEVEL

WATCH STEPHEN LIGHTHILL TALK ABOUT
THE AFI CINEMATOGRAPHY PROGRAM

AFI Conservatory Film School

Directing Program

Earn your MFA in Directing and take your filmmaking career to the next level. AFI Directors spend two years immersed in honing their craft. As part of the directing curriculum, AFI Directors collaborate with their fellow AFI filmmakers and have the opportunity to direct up to three narrative short films in their first year and a thesis project their second year, creating a polished directing portfolio that reflects their abilities and vision as a filmmaker. Upon completion of the program, AFI Directors participate in the annual Directing Showcase with industry guests.

Master Classes in Directing and Filmmaking at AFI

Here are just a few of the iconic filmmakers who have visited the AFI Campus:

George Clooney speaks to AFI Conservatory Fellows about directing actors

Filmmaking Classes and Faculty at AFI

The AFI Conservatory is ranked one of the top film schools in the nation – which means AFI film students, known as “Fellows” at the Conservatory, are surrounded by the best of the best, from the exceptional Fellows in each class and over 5,000 Alumni in the AFI network, to the Mentors, Faculty and Seminar Guests who share their experiences and insights to help make each Fellow the best filmmaker they can be. Learn more about the curriculum.