Overview
The Ghetto Film School (GFS) Fellows Program is a free, 20-month immersive filmmaking and creative producing program for young artists in New York, Los Angeles, and London. Founded in 2000 in the South Bronx, GFS has expanded to 3 cities and serves over 8,000 people annually between the ages of 14 and 35. The Fellows Program is the organization's flagship offering, providing the most intensive training and longest-term commitment.
The program is completely free for participants. There is no tuition, no equipment fee, and no application fee. Fellows receive instruction from working filmmakers and industry professionals, visit live sets and studios, premiere their films at theaters, and travel internationally to produce an original thesis film. The program also includes college application advising, test prep support, and help navigating into the industry.
In 2026, GFS launched a redesigned 20-month fellowship curriculum that expands beyond traditional filmmaking into cross-platform media ecosystems. The school partnered with Mosh Audio to incorporate a podcast curriculum into the summer program. CEO Che Chisholm leads the organization as of October 2025.
Applications for the Los Angeles Fellows Program are due April 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. The New York cohort operates on a separate cycle.
History
Joe Hall, a former social worker from the Bronx, founded Ghetto Film School in 2000. After spending a year at USC's graduate film program and noticing the lack of racial and class diversity, Hall returned to the Bronx to create filmmaking opportunities for young people in his neighborhood.
Key milestones:
- 2000: Founded in the South Bronx with after-school workshops
- 2014: Expanded to Los Angeles
- 2020: Expanded to London, establishing a third international location
- 2023: Launched Setting the Stage, a directing-focused immersion program for ages 14 to 18 in New York's SoHo neighborhood
- 2026: Launched a redesigned 20-month fellowship curriculum with a podcast curriculum partnership with Mosh Audio
GFS has trained thousands of students and serves over 8,000 people annually across its 3 locations. Alumna Montea Robinson served as CEO from 2022 until Che Chisholm took the role in October 2025.
Award Value
The Fellows Program provides a comprehensive package at no cost to participants. The total commercial value exceeds $50,000 per participant:
| Component | Typical Equivalent Cost |
|---|---|
| 20-month filmmaking program | $30,000 to $80,000 at a private film school |
| International thesis film production | $5,000 to $25,000 for a short film produced abroad |
| Professional equipment access | $10,000 to $30,000 in camera, lighting, and editing gear |
| College advising and test prep | $2,000 to $10,000 from private consultants |
| Mentorship from industry professionals | Not commercially available |
The program does not provide a cash stipend or cost-of-living component. Transportation and meals are provided for participants during program sessions. The program is funded through donations, grants, and partnerships with entertainment companies including Netflix and WarnerMedia.
Eligibility
- Age: 14 to 22 years old (the Setting the Stage directing program in New York accepts ages 14 to 18)
- Location: Must attend program sessions in New York City, Los Angeles, or London
- Background: GFS prioritizes applicants from underserved communities, though programs are open to all young people who meet the age requirement
- Experience: No prior filmmaking experience needed. The application does not require a portfolio or prior work
- Commitment: Must be available for the full 20-month program duration
Selection is open-application. GFS also recruits through schools, community organizations, and direct outreach in target communities. No faculty nomination is required. The application evaluates motivation, storytelling potential, and commitment, not existing technical skills.
Past Recipients
Recent International Thesis Films
GFS Fellows produce international thesis films shot in locations across the globe:
- 2024-25: Vancouver, Canada - 30 fellows selected from the LA cohort wrote and produced a thesis film. Rae Brown wrote the film, directed by Sundiata Enuke. The premiere screened in May 2025.
- 2023: Iceland - 3 short films created by GFS fellows from New York, Los Angeles, and London. Natalia Pacheco directed Stronger, a family drama about a girl training to be a strongman. The film premiered in May 2023 at Bloomberg HQ.
- 2025: Dominican Republic - A thesis project screened at NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) in September 2025 as part of the InFocus: Latin and Hispanic Cinema program.
Finish The Script Winners (Dolby Institute x GFS)
The Dolby Institute x Ghetto Film School Filmmaker Challenge awarded 4 winners $25,000 each in 2023 to complete short films with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos access:
- Miguel Ramirez, Zora's Last Day on Earth - Salvadoran-American filmmaker from South Central LA
- Kaitlyn Ali, Pause/Play
- Britney Bautista, Fruits of Your Labor - Filipino-American director from Brooklyn
- Thomas Sawyer, Sirens
All 4 films premiered at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
What Made Their Application Stand Out
GFS evaluates applicants on motivation, storytelling potential, and commitment, not on existing technical skills. The application does not require a portfolio, prior work, or filmmaking experience.
Natalia Pacheco, who directed the Iceland thesis film Stronger, described her selection process: "At 15, my GFS orientation concluded with a presentation on their annual international thesis. A group of students would complete the program by traveling abroad to make a short film. This became my goal and dream."
The selection committee looks for:
- Personal drive: Applicants who articulate a clear passion for storytelling, not just technical filmmaking
- Community connection: Students from underserved communities who lack access to film education through their schools
- Commitment to the 20-month duration: The program builds cumulatively from foundational skills to thesis film production
- Creative curiosity: Interest in cross-platform storytelling, including the new podcast and audio curriculum
Renewal Requirements
The Fellows Program is a one-time 20-month commitment. Fellows complete the program once and do not reapply for a second cycle. However, GFS provides ongoing support through the Roster Program, which connects alumni to industry contacts and job placements.
The Roster Program is open to alumni ages 18 to 34 and provides continued career development. Alumni can participate in additional opportunities like the Finish The Script challenge and the international alumni thesis program, which Pacheco accessed after completing her initial fellowship.
GFS does not charge tuition or require GPA maintenance during the program. Fellows must attend sessions regularly and complete their thesis film to graduate.
Application Process
Applications are submitted through the GFS website. The application is designed to be accessible and does not require a portfolio, prior work, or filmmaking experience.
- Choose your city: GFS operates separate cohorts in New York, Los Angeles, and London. Apply to the cohort in your city.
- Complete the online application: The form asks for basic information, personal background, and interest in filmmaking. No portfolio required.
- Submit before the deadline: Los Angeles applications close April 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. New York and London deadlines vary by cycle.
There is no application fee. Program cycles run throughout the year, with new cohorts beginning on a rolling basis depending on the city. GFS does not offer remote or online participation.
What Filmmakers Should Know
GFS is not a film school in the traditional sense. It does not grant degrees. The Fellows Program is a non-degree training program focused on practical filmmaking skills, industry access, and college preparation. Students who want a degree should use GFS as a pre-college program and then apply to a film school, using the portfolio and college advising GFS provides.
The key trade-off is the 20-month time commitment. This is not a summer camp or a weekend workshop. Fellows must attend sessions regularly over nearly two years. Students who cannot commit to the full duration should not apply, as the program builds cumulatively from foundational skills to thesis film production.
No prior experience is needed, but motivation is required. GFS evaluates interest and commitment, not technical skill. The program is rigorous and expects Fellows to engage seriously with the curriculum.
Watch
See Also
For choosing a film school after GFS, see Film School vs Self-Taught. To estimate production costs for a scholarship-supported project, use the Budget Breakdown Calculator. For evaluating the cost of applying against projected returns, use the Ad Spend Break-Even Calculator.
Scholarship and Education Resources
The Scholarship Handbook
A comprehensive guide to finding and winning scholarships, with strategies for application essays and interview preparation.
The Film School Handbook
A practical guide to choosing, applying to, and funding film school, covering undergraduate and graduate programs.
Student Filmmaking Gear
Browse B&H Photo's selection of affordable camera kits, audio recorders, and lighting for student productions.
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