AFI Conservatory
A graduate-only conservatory in Los Angeles dedicated to training the next generation of filmmakers through an intensive, production-centered two-year MFA program.
Overview
The American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory operates as a graduate-level filmmaking conservatory in Los Angeles, offering a single degree: a Master of Fine Arts. Founded in 1969 as part of the American Film Institute's broader mission to preserve and advance the art of the moving image, the Conservatory trains filmmakers through an immersive, production-driven curriculum that emphasizes collaboration across disciplines.
AFI's model is distinctive among film schools. The program accepts approximately 140 fellows per year across six disciplines, and every student participates in making films from the first semester onward. The conservatory occupies a campus on the former grounds of Immaculate Heart College in the Hollywood Hills, with soundstages, post-production suites, and screening rooms on site. The proximity to Hollywood studios and the school's deep industry connections give fellows regular access to working professionals as mentors, guest lecturers, and thesis advisors.
Programs Offered
AFI offers MFA degrees in six disciplines, each with its own admissions process and curriculum:
- Directing -- the flagship discipline, focused on visual storytelling, working with actors, and managing the creative vision of a production
- Screenwriting -- intensive story development and screenplay craft, with fellows writing multiple feature-length and short scripts
- Cinematography -- camera, lighting, and visual design, with access to professional-grade equipment and formats
- Editing -- editorial craft and post-production workflow, from assembly through final delivery
- Producing -- creative and physical producing, covering development, financing, production management, and distribution
- Production Design -- the visual environment of a film, from sets and locations to color and texture
What Students Should Know
AFI's conservatory model means every discipline works together on productions. A directing fellow does not shoot or edit their own thesis film alone. They collaborate with fellows from cinematography, editing, producing, production design, and screenwriting. This mirrors professional production structures and builds the collaborative habits that define working filmmakers.
The program is two years. First-year fellows create short films in a structured cycle that builds technical and creative skills. Second-year fellows produce thesis films with significantly larger budgets and longer running times. Thesis films regularly screen at major festivals, and several AFI thesis projects have received Academy Award nominations in the short film categories.
Tuition for the two-year program is approximately $70,000 per year. AFI provides scholarships and fellowships, and the school has made expanding financial access a stated priority. The acceptance rate is low, particularly for directing and cinematography, where fewer than 30 fellows are admitted per discipline.
AFI does not offer undergraduate programs, part-time enrollment, or online coursework. The conservatory model requires full-time, on-campus commitment for the entire two-year program.
Notable Alumni
AFI graduates include David Lynch (Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet), Terrence Malick (The Thin Red Line, The Tree of Life), Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan, Requiem for a Dream), Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman, Monster), Janusz Kaminski (cinematographer on Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan), and Wally Pfister (cinematographer on The Dark Knight trilogy). The conservatory has also produced a significant number of working editors, production designers, and producers across the industry.
See Also
For a breakdown of how producing programs prepare filmmakers for the business side of the industry, see Film Producing Essentials. To model your thesis film budget, use the Production Budget Calculator.
