Filmakademie Wien

Overview

The Filmakademie Wien is the film department of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw). Founded in 1951, it is Austria's only university-level institution dedicated to film education. The school is located at the mdw campus at Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, 1030 Vienna. EU tuition costs 363.36 EUR per semester, making it one of the most affordable film schools in Western Europe.

The Filmakademie operates within a university that also encompasses music, theater, and the performing arts. This creates an interdisciplinary environment where film students interact with musicians, actors, and theater practitioners. The school produces approximately 80 student films during a typical study cycle.

Austria's film industry, while smaller than Germany's or France's, has produced internationally acclaimed filmmakers. The Filmakademie maintains close ties to the Austrian and broader European film communities. Teaching staff includes active filmmakers with international reputations.

History

The Filmakademie Wien began in 1951 as a special course in filmmaking within the mdw. It grew steadily into a full department offering structured BA and MA programs. In 2012, the school added Media and Film Studies as a secondary curricular orientation and introduced the possibility of completing a doctorate in this area.

Key milestones include the elevation of the program to full department status, the introduction of the Digital Art and Compositing master's specialization, and the consistent placement of alumni films in Cannes competition. The school's annual Werkschau showcase, held at the Gartenbaukino and Stadtkino Vienna, screens current student films to the public free of charge.

Programs Offered

The Filmakademie Wien structures its programs as a 3-year Bachelor of Arts (Bakk.art) followed by a 2-year Master of Arts (Mag.art). All programs are full-time.

Bachelor's Programs (6 semesters / 3 years)

• Buch und Dramaturgie (Screenwriting and Dramaturgy)
• Cinematography (Bildtechnik und Kamera)
• Produktion (Production)
• Regie (Directing)
• Montage (Editing)

Master's Programs (4 semesters / 2 years)

• Buch und Dramaturgie (Screenwriting and Dramaturgy)
• Bildtechnik und Kamera (Cinematography)
• Digital Art - Compositing (Visual Effects and Digital Post-production)
• Produktion (Production)
• Regie (Directing)
• Schnitt (Editing)

All students complete a 3-semester basic studies program (Grundstudium) covering all disciplines together before specializing. Directing ranks as the most competitive discipline, drawing the highest number of applicants per available seat.

Notable Alumni and What They've Made

The Filmakademie Wien has produced filmmakers who are central figures in contemporary Austrian and European cinema:

• Michael Haneke - Amour (2012, Palme d'Or and Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film), The White Ribbon (2009, Palme d'Or), Funny Games (1997/2007). Also a teaching staff member.
• Ulrich Seidl - Paradise: Love (2012), Paradise: Faith (2012), Paradise: Hope (2013). Known for provocative documentary-fiction hybrids.
• Jessica Hausner - Lourdes (2009), Little Joe (2019), Club Zero (2023). Regular Cannes competition selection.
• Barbara Albert - Northern Skirts (1999), Living (2012). Austrian filmmaker and producer.
• Martin Gschlacht - Cinematographer and producer. Co-founder of Missing Films. Regular collaborator with Jessica Hausner.

Acceptance Rate

The Filmakademie Wien does not publish an overall acceptance rate. Admission operates through a multi-stage entrance exam (Zulassungsprufung) that tests artistic and practical aptitude. The bachelor's exam includes creative-practical assignments followed by an interview with the examination senate. Candidates must pass each part to proceed.

The school admits small cohorts through this competitive process. This ensures close mentorship from faculty and significant production resources per student. The student-to-faculty ratio favors individualized attention compared to larger film programs.

German language proficiency is mandatory for admission to both bachelor's and master's programs. All instruction is in German. This requirement is non-negotiable.

Standout Faculty

The Filmakademie Wien's teaching staff includes filmmakers with international awards and recognition:

• Michael Haneke - Directing faculty. Two-time Palme d'Or winner. His presence gives students direct access to one of Europe's most influential directors.
• Gotz Spielmann - Directing faculty. Austrian filmmaker known for Revanche (2008), nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
• Wolfgang Murnberger - Directing faculty. Director of My Best Enemy (2011) and other Austrian films.
• Thomas Benesch - Cinematography faculty.
• Wolfgang Thaler - Cinematography faculty. Award-winning Austrian cinematographer.
• Danny Krausz - Production faculty. Producer with extensive European film credits.
• Michael Hudecek - Digital Art and Compositing faculty.

Tuition / Aid Reality

As a public Austrian university, the Filmakademie Wien charges minimal tuition:

These figures are set by the mdw and the Austrian university system. Fees do not include living expenses. Vienna's cost of living is moderate by Western European capital standards, higher than smaller Austrian cities but lower than London, Paris, or Zurich.

The school does not participate in US federal loan programs. Austrian and EU students may access government student aid. The quality of life in Vienna consistently ranks among the highest in the world.

Facilities and Equipment

The Filmakademie Wien provides professional-grade facilities within the mdw campus:

• Studios for production
• Editing rooms with professional post-production equipment
• Screening spaces for student work and film analysis
• Professional-grade camera, lighting, and sound equipment for student checkout
• Production support for student films

The annual Werkschau showcase screens student films at the Gartenbaukino and Stadtkino Vienna. Entry is free.

Student Film Examples

The Filmakademie Wien produces approximately 80 student films during a typical study cycle, ranging from short exercises to thesis projects. These films screen at the annual Werkschau showcase at Gartenbaukino and Stadtkino Vienna.

Student thesis films have competed at European film festivals and served as launching pads for alumni careers. The school's emphasis on the European art cinema tradition means student work tends toward formal rigor, intellectual depth, and personal vision rather than commercial genre formats.

What Filmmakers Should Know

All instruction is in German. This is a firm requirement. Applicants must demonstrate German proficiency before admission. The school does not offer English-language programs. If you do not speak German at a level sufficient for university study, this school is not an option without significant language preparation first.

The Filmakademie's position within the mdw gives film students access to musicians, actors, and theater practitioners. This interdisciplinary environment enriches creative approaches and opens collaborative possibilities that standalone film schools cannot offer.

With EU tuition at 363.36 EUR per semester, the school is one of the most affordable in Western Europe. The full BA plus MA cycle takes 5 years (10 semesters). The school's alumni and faculty align strongly with the European art cinema tradition. Students who want to develop within this tradition will find the Filmakademie aligned with their goals. Those seeking commercial or genre-focused training should consider other programs.

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See Also

For comparing film school ROI against self-taught paths, see Film School vs Self-Taught. To estimate total education costs including living expenses, use the Indie Film Budget Calculator. For industry placement rates at top film schools, see Best Industry Placement Rates.