AFDA (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance)

Overview

AFDA is a private higher education institution training students in film, television, live performance, and the creative economy across five campuses in South Africa. Founded in 1994 with 6 students and a rented VCR, AFDA now enrolls over 2,750 students with a permanent staff of 280+ academics and administrators. The school operates campuses in Johannesburg (founded 1994), Cape Town, Durban (founded 2013), Gqeberha formerly Port Elizabeth (founded 2015), and Hatfield, Pretoria (opening 2026).

AFDA is registered with the South African Department of Higher Education and Training and accredited by the Council on Higher Education. All degrees are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) with SAQA IDs. The school receives no government subsidies and operates entirely on tuition revenue.

For filmmakers who want to work in the South African or broader African film and television industry, AFDA provides the largest alumni network on the continent. Graduates have worked on over 350 feature films and 300+ television and streaming productions, ranging from South African films like My Octopus Teacher and Nommer 37 to international productions including Black Panther and Spider-Man shot in South Africa. Review the 2026 prospectus for full program details.

Programs Offered

AFDA offers qualifications across NQF Levels 5 through 9:

Undergraduate Degrees (3 years full-time, NQF Level 7)

• Bachelor of Arts in Motion Picture Medium (SAQA ID 35934) - the primary filmmaking degree with specializations in directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound, producing, and production design. Available at all campuses.
• Bachelor of Arts in Live Performance (SAQA ID 35936) - acting and performance for stage, screen, and music. Available at all campuses.
• Bachelor of Creative Writing (SAQA ID 112550) - creative and professional writing for screen and page. Available at Johannesburg and Cape Town.
• Bachelor of Commerce in Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SAQA ID 94705) - business training for the creative economy. Available at Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Postgraduate (1-2 years, NQF Level 8-9)

• BA Honours in Motion Picture Medium (SAQA ID 35935, NQF Level 8) - 1 year full-time at all campuses
• BA Honours in Live Performance (SAQA ID 35937, NQF Level 8) - 1 year full-time at all campuses
• Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation (SAQA ID 111396, NQF Level 8) - 1 year full-time
• Master of Fine Arts in Motion Picture Medium (SAQA ID 96800, NQF Level 9) - 2 years part-time at Johannesburg and Cape Town only

Higher Certificates (1 year full-time, NQF Level 5)

• Higher Certificate in Film, TV and Entertainment Production (SAQA ID 90741)
• Higher Certificate in Performing Arts (SAQA ID 111403)
• Higher Certificate in Radio and Podcasting (SAQA ID 99532)

Tuition and Fees (2026)

AFDA publishes its 2026 undergraduate fee structure publicly. Fees vary by campus and payment plan:

BA Motion Picture Medium and BA Live Performance

Upfront payment includes a non-refundable registration fee of R1,950 and a deposit of R7,000, with the balance due by 31 March 2026 to qualify for the discounted upfront rate. The monthly plan runs 10 installments from 28 February 2026 to 30 November 2026.

Other Fees

• Higher Certificate programmes: R89,700 to R95,950 depending on campus and payment plan
• International student levy: R18,000 one-time fee for first-time international students (does not apply to Sub-Saharan African countries)
• Parking disc: R1,000 per year (undergraduate and Higher Certificate students only)
• Late enrolment fee: R1,000
• Campus transfer fee: R1,500

At the March 2026 exchange rate of approximately R18.50 to USD 1, the BA upfront tuition at Johannesburg or Cape Town translates to roughly $6,700 per year. This is a fraction of US or UK film school tuition, though AFDA receives no state subsidies and students must budget for production materials, travel, and living costs separately.

Facilities and Equipment

AFDA's experiential learning model means students produce films, TV content, and stage productions from the first year. The school provides equipment and facilities for curriculum projects, but students cover personal costs for travel, meals, communication, and project-related consumables. AFDA does not require students to purchase textbooks.

Each campus has production facilities, editing suites, sound stages, and equipment stores. The Johannesburg campus is the largest and most established, with the most extensive equipment inventory. Cape Town provides proximity to the international production hub. The Hatfield campus opening in 2026 is designed to serve students from Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga, reducing travel and accommodation costs for those who would otherwise commute to Johannesburg.

What Students Should Know

AFDA teaches in English, making it accessible to students from across Anglophone Africa. The school actively recruits from neighboring countries and offers the Sub-Saharan African international levy waiver.

South Africa's film production industry is the most developed on the continent, serving both domestic production and international productions attracted by diverse locations, a skilled crew base, and favorable exchange rates. Cape Town hosts Hollywood films, television series, and commercial productions year-round. The South African film and television industry offers graduates direct entry into professional production work.

AFDA's curriculum combines creative and technical training with business and entrepreneurship education. Students do not just learn to make films; they learn to finance, market, and distribute them. This reflects the reality that African filmmakers often need to be producers and entrepreneurs as much as artists.

The school does not offer on-campus accommodation. Students must arrange their own housing. Cost of living varies significantly by city: Johannesburg and Cape Town are more expensive than Durban or Gqeberha. International students should research visa requirements and cost of living for their chosen campus city before applying.

Notable Alumni

AFDA graduates have built careers across South African and international film and television:

• Nosipho Dumisa - director and creator of the Netflix series Blood & Water (2020), writer/director of Nommer 37 (2018). Graduated with a BA in Motion Picture Medium from AFDA in 2009.
• Jonathan Liebesman - director of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) and Wrath of the Titans (2012). AFDA alumnus who transitioned to Hollywood directing.
• Ryan Kruger - director of Fried Barry (2020), which screened at international festivals. AFDA Cape Town honours graduate in directing and writing. Also South Africa's top music video director with 90+ videos to his name.
• Adze Ugah - director whose feature Sierra's Gold won Best South African Film at the Durban International Film Festival 2024. Directed television drama series including Shaka iLembe, House of Zwide, and Isibaya. Honours degree in Motion Picture Medium from AFDA.
• Jamie D. Ramsay - cinematographer whose work includes international productions. AFDA alumnus.
• Ofentse Mwase - cinematographer, director, and comedian. AFDA alumnus.

AFDA reports that alumni have been involved in over 350 feature films and 300+ television and streaming productions, including My Octopus Teacher (Academy Award winner), Noem My Skollie, Five Fingers for Marseille, Indemnity, and international productions shot in South Africa.

See Also

For understanding African cinema and distribution markets, see International Film Markets. To plan your production budget for a South African shoot, use the Production Budget Calculator. For exploring filmmaking terminology, visit the Filmmaker Glossary.