At the AFI Conservatory we believe in filmmaking first. Filmmakers come to AFI because they are guaranteed to make movies, and to master not only the tools, but also the art of storytelling. AFI isn’t like any other graduate film school in Los Angeles or the nation. Think of us like the most prolific content creators in Hollywood. Fellows collectively create up to 175 films a year across six disciplines in the master’s degree program: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting.
Led by Hollywood icon James L. Brooks as Artistic Director, AFI Conservatory Faculty and seminar guests are working filmmakers who bring decades of award-winning experience as real-world, professionals and transformative leaders in their field.
As a top-ranked film school located in Los Angeles, the AFI Conservatory MFA program is more than an academic experience in the art of moviemaking — it’s about connecting you with influential artists in the field, and with key players in the industry, to get your career off the ground right after graduation. Through a carefully curated series of programs and opportunities that happen year-round right in the middle of Hollywood, you will have the best possible launchpad for success.
Scholarship
Opportunities
The AFI Conservatory offers scholarships to help incoming and current AFI Fellows pay for their MFA film school education. Scholarships are based on merit and financial need. Several scholarships are available for Fellows from underrepresented communities, specific nationalities and Conservatory disciplines.
AFI DOCS, AFI FEST, Berlin, Cannes, London, New York,
Sundance, SXSW, Telluride, Toronto, Tribeca and Venice
Festivals updated as of Mar. 28, 2022
Awards updated as of Mar. 17, 2023
Diversity
at a Glance
The AFI Conservatory is committed to nurturing fresh perspectives from diverse voices.
“The AFI experience is transformational. This is a place where ideas of all sorts and all perspectives come to blossom. The relationships and the skills you foster here are the ones that will carry you throughout your entire career.”
–Joyce Liu-Countryman, AFI Producing Class of 2018
Of
285
Year 1 and Year 2 Fellows currently enrolled at the AFI Conservatory in Los Angeles:
56%
are women
45%
of the domestic Fellows are filmmakers of color
47%
are international
Updated as of Oct. 15, 2023
Slide
The American Film Institute believes in the power of diverse voices to drive culture forward.
We strive to cultivate and sustain an inclusive environment at AFI that actively affirms and is respectful of the identities of all people across genders, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds and ideological perspectives – and one where self-reflection, honesty and accountability are practiced.
At AFI, we are responsible for the community we build and the stories we tell.
AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale had this to say about Vice Chair Rich Frank’s scholarship announcement at Friday’s #AFIAWARDS: “Rich has been a leader at the AFI Trustee table for over 30 years. His commitment to the future of the art form is peerless, and this extraordinary gift will allow the AFI Conservatory to continue to attract the best and the brightest young storytellers – while celebrating the very best film and television of today.” #AFIConservatory #filmschool #scholarship
📷: Rich Frank and Leslie Frank
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👏👏 A big round of applause is in order! We could not be more excited to celebrate the following #AFIAlumni and their amazing projects that won an Emmy. 🏆
#AFI #AFIConservatory #Emmys
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These AFI alumni helped transform imagination into incredible visual storytelling. Congratulations to the filmmakers on their projects’ #ADGAwards nominations!
#aficonservatory #afialumni #productiondesign #afi
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During his recent visit to AFI campus, Alexander Payne shared his advice on directing with AFI Fellows. 🎬 Watch the rest of this insightful AFI Conservatory seminar with the @theholdoversfilm writer/director at link in bio.
#AlexanderPayne #aficonservatory #directing #guestlecture #filmschool
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A special thanks to @pastlivesmovie director Celine Song for stopping by AFI Campus to talk to Fellows about her deeply touching romantic drama, which was just named best picture at this year's National Society of Film Critics Awards. Check out the full video of the seminar at link in bio!
#aficonservatory #filmschool #guestlecture #filmmaking #celinesong #pastlives #womendirectors
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Before today’s much anticipated debut of #TheBrothersSun on Netflix, this talented team brought their show and a great conversation to the AFI Conservatory. Tune in to see what executive producer Mikkel Bondesen (AFI Class of 1998), co-creators and executive producers Brad Falchuk (AFI Class of 1994) and Byron Wu (AFI Class of 2019), and production designer Ray Yamagata (AFI Class of 1998) have in store for you. #afialumni #aficonservatory
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Do you want to watch an amazing conversation from the next generation of filmmakers as they embark on their filmmaking journey? Watch this roundtable with #AFIConservatory alumni on making their Oscar-qualified short films. See the full list of qualified shorts from AFI alums at link in bio. #afialumni #academyawards #oscars #shorts
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#TheIronClaw premiered across the country today with early-access screenings, but earlier this month, AFI Conservatory Fellows got even earlier access. And this special screening included a conversation with writer/director Sean Durkin. Look for video of this incredible seminar soon. #aficonservatory #filmschool #guestlecture
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🏆🎬 Congratulations to these #AFIConservatory alumni who are now #DGAStudentFilmAwards winners! The awards honor, encourage, and bring attention to outstanding diverse directors in film schools and universities nationwide. #directing #representationmatters
🏆Best Asian American Student Filmmakers: West Region: Award winner
@naomichristie AFI CLASS OF 2023)
OBJECT OF DESIRE
🏆Best LATINO Student Filmmakers: West Region: Award winner
@locanilla (AFI CLASS OF 2023)
THE BULLFIGHTER
🏆Best Women Student Filmmakers: West Region: Jury Award
@annalowestlin (AFI CLASS OF 2022)
BIENVENIDO JUANITO
#dgastudentfilmawards #studentfilm #studentfilmmaker
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AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE
The American Film Institute is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to celebrating excellence in the art form and to creating national education initiatives that inspire artists and audiences alike.
CONTACT US
American Film Institute
2021 North Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027-1657
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