Prague Film School

Overview

Prague Film School is a private, English-language film school in the historic center of Prague, founded in 2003. The school enrolls up to 100 filmmakers annually from over 60 countries and offers intensive one-year and semester programs in filmmaking, documentary, acting for film, and screenwriting. All instruction is in English. The school does not grant accredited university degrees. Programs lead to certificates and diplomas.

Prague has become a major European production hub. Barrandov Studios hosts international productions, and the city's architecture, diverse locations, and favorable production costs attract filmmakers from around the world. Prague Film School leverages this environment, allowing students to shoot in one of Europe's most cinematic cities at a fraction of the cost of comparable programs in the US or UK.

The school's prevailing ethos is a mix of European art-house and American independent cinema. Students participate in up to 30 productions annually, many of which end up screening at top film festivals. Prague Film School alumni have had work screened and awarded at Cannes, Venice, Berlinale, Sundance, Toronto, Locarno, the Oscars, and the Emmys. Graduates also work in production at Netflix, MAX, Prime, and BBC.

Programs Offered

• Year Program in Filmmaking - a one-year intensive program (September to May) covering screenwriting, directing, cinematography, and editing in the first semester, with specialization options in the second semester. Each student directs and produces four films while working on an additional 10 to 15 sets in various crew capacities.
• Year Program in Documentary Film - a one-year program focused on independent documentary filmmaking, running September to May.
• Year Program in Acting for Film - screen performance training.
• Second Year Programs - advanced specializations in auteur directing and cinematography, aimed at deepening craft skills and producing longer format films up to 30 minutes. Made up of master class sessions with visiting filmmakers.
• Semester Programs - the first semester of the year program, available as a standalone course (September to December or January to May).
• Four-Week Summer Workshops - short intensive programs covering screenwriting, directing, camera, editing, and sound. Each student writes, shoots, directs, and edits a short film.

Tuition and Fees

Prague Film School updated its tuition in February 2025. Fees for programs starting September 2026:

• Year Programs (Filmmaking, Documentary, Acting): Tuition 21,900 EUR + Equipment fee 980 EUR = 22,880 EUR total
• Semester Programs: Tuition 17,800 EUR + Equipment fee 490 EUR = 18,290 EUR total. Continuation semester (for students who completed the first semester and wish to extend): 12,800 EUR + 490 EUR equipment fee.
• Second Year Programs: Tuition 15,900 EUR for PFS year program graduates, 21,900 EUR for general applicants. Equipment fee: 980 EUR.
• Four-Week Workshops: Tuition 2,960 EUR + Equipment fee 120 EUR = 3,080 EUR total.

The application deadline for programs starting September 2026 is May 24, 2026. Summer workshop applications are reviewed on a weekly basis.

Equipment and Facilities

Prague Film School provides filmmaking equipment as part of the equipment fee. The school's small size (approximately 100 students) means students have close working relationships with faculty and easy access to facilities. Studios, editing suites, and equipment checkout are available on site.

Students should bring their own portable external drive (minimum 2 TB) and a laptop for editing. The school recommends a laptop with at minimum an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor (M1 minimum for Mac), 16 GB RAM, and 6 GB VRAM GPU. Students should also budget approximately 5,000 to 10,000 CZK per semester for personal film production costs, as the school provides equipment but not production budgets for student films.

What Students Should Know

Prague Film School does not grant accredited university degrees. Its programs lead to certificates and diplomas. Students who need a formal degree for visa, employment, or further study purposes should verify that the school's credentials meet their requirements before enrolling.

The one-year format is intensive and production-heavy. The curriculum prioritizes practical skills over theoretical depth. Students produce a high volume of short films and leave with a body of work suitable for festival submission or as a portfolio for further study at degree-granting institutions.

Prague's cost of living is among the lowest of any major European capital. Estimated monthly living costs range from 800 to 1,200 EUR including accommodation, food, and transportation. Combined with the school's tuition, the total annual cost of attending Prague Film School is significantly lower than comparable one-year programs in London, New York, or Los Angeles.

The school attracts students from over 60 countries, creating an unusually diverse cohort. This international mix enriches collaborative projects and builds global professional networks. The small student body (approximately 100) means individualized attention from faculty who are working professionals in the European and international film industries.

Notable Alumni

Prague Film School alumni have had work screened and awarded at Cannes, Venice, Berlinale, Sundance, Toronto, Locarno, the Oscars, and the Emmys. Graduates work in production branches at Netflix, MAX, Prime, and BBC, among other companies. The school's alumni network spans dozens of countries, reflecting its internationally diverse student body. Specific alumni names are available on the school's website.

See Also

For comparing film school options and career paths, see Film School vs Self-Taught. To estimate storage requirements for your student film productions, use the Storage and Footage Calculator. For planning your post-production workflow, use the Post Production Timeline Estimator. To understand festival submission strategy for your student films, see Festivals That Lead to Distribution.