Film School

Hands-On Filmmaking Degrees,
Certificates, and Workshops

Filmmakers tell captivating stories through film, television, and new media, using compelling narratives and engaging performances to bring their cinematic vision to life. At NYFA’s Film School, aspiring filmmakers master these skills and techniques, choosing from a variety of Filmmaking degrees, certificate programs, and workshops at our campuses in New York, Los Angeles, South Beach, Gold Coast (Australia), and Florence (Italy), as well as numerous international locations. During these hands-on programs, students learn-by-doing, spending a majority of their studies writing, shooting, editing, directing, and producing original films and digital content.

Through robust coursework, production workshops, and actual on-set experience that reflects the work done within the film industry, students build their confidence as directors and filmmakers. NYFA filmmaking students explore every phase of classical film structure and content creation, receiving a well-rounded education in the always-evolving art of visual storytelling. Our rigorous, accelerated approach provides students with the opportunity to make a number of films during their time at NYFA, and graduates leave our programs with a selection of their best work. Typically, the longer the program, the more content and films students get to create. For students interested in creating non-fiction content, we also offer a number of programs specifically for documentary films.

As the original disruptors of the Hollywood gate-keeping system, NYFA strives to make education in filmmaking accessible to the most diverse, international, and broadest community of students. At our film school, we foster an environment that is creatively challenging, respectful, and actively supportive of each unique student and of a collectively diverse student body.

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Filmmaking Degrees

The filmmaking degrees at NYFA’s Film School provide students with a well-rounded education that fully supports their development as directors and filmmakers. In our hands-on programs, students create a number of original films and content, gaining hands-on training and experience on a film set.

Through large-scale production workshops and rigorous coursework, degree students develop a practical skill set that incorporates all major aspects of the filmmaking craft, as well as emerging storytelling mediums such as web series, podcasts, virtual reality, commercials, and music videos. Students also take liberal arts courses closely related to filmmaking, preparing them to develop their unique stories and express themselves cinematically.

Our degree students fully explore and gain mastery of filmmaking and visual content, developing their individual style and artistic voice. Students who fully commit to their program emerge with a wealth of experience and expertise in filmmaking, as well as a reel with their own films and video content.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Filmmaking

Master of Arts (MA) in Filmmaking and Media Production

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Filmmaking

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Entertainment Media

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Media Studies

Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) in Filmmaking


Filmmaking
Certificate Programs

The 1-Year and 2-Year Filmmaking Certificates are conservatory-style programs where students learn essential creative and technical skills in filmmaking, cinematography, directing, screenwriting, producing, and editing.

Designed for aspiring filmmakers who wish to apply their learned and developed skills as soon as possible, these full-time programs offer students the opportunity to create a variety of original films, gain experience on-set in various roles, and build fundamental knowledge in the craft of filmmaking.

2-Year Filmmaking Certificate Program

1-Year Filmmaking Certificate Program


Filmmaking Workshops

NYFA offers a range of in-person full-time and part-time filmmaking workshops at our campuses and satellite locations. To learn more about the curriculum and projects in each workshop, please visit the individual pages below. Explore examples of projects NYFA filmmaking students may complete on the filmmaking projects page.

 

Online Filmmaking Workshops

In addition to our in-person workshops, NYFA has a variety of online filmmaking workshops. These workshops are a great fit for filmmakers, directors, and content creators who want to gain experience creating their own films from the comfort of their own home.


Film
School Faculty

The award-winning faculty at NYFA’s Film School actively work in the film, television, and entertainment industries, possessing a wealth of experience in directing, screenwriting, acting for film and stage, cinematography, editing, sound design, and producing. NYFA’s faculty are passionate professionals who live and breathe film, providing the guidance and expertise necessary for students to hone their craft and build their confidence as visual storytellers.

 
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Liz Hinlein

 
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Andrea Swift

Chair of Filmmaking

 
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Edward Timpe

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Film School Alumni

NYFA’s Film School strives to offer an intensive and focused education with hands-on experience and practical training. The achievements of any NYFA alumni are the result of their hard work, perseverance, talent and circumstances, and NYFA is proud of our graduates who have pursued ambitious creative goals. Many of our alumni now fill roles as Film Directors, Film Editors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers, Producers, and Actors on award-winning films, creative content, and television shows.

Bill Hader  

Bill Hader

Actor | Comedian | Writer

 
Issa Rae  

Issa Rae

Actor | Producer

 
Damon Wayans  

Damon Wayans

Writer | Actor | Producer

 
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Please note: Equipment, curriculum, and projects are subject to change and may vary depending on location. Students should consult the most recently published campus catalog for the most up-to-date curriculum.