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2022’s top 25 american film schools, ranked.

From full-funded MFAs to LED walls for new virtual production curriculums, these film programs are trying to entice and educate the next generation of blockbuster directors and award-winning auteurs.

By Mia Galuppo

Mia Galuppo

Film Writer

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How do you prepare students for an entertainment industry in a constant state of flux? For some, the answer is LED walls. Schools ranging from Chapman to Cal State Northridge are doubling down on digital production in an effort to prepare their students for industry. And while rising tuition costs have would-be filmmakers worried, schools are increasing scholarships or offering fully funded MFAs.

These 25(ish) programs offer students the best chance at navigating Hollywood’s changing terrain.

1. American Film Institute

Related stories, 2023 top 25 american film schools, ranked, 2021's top 25 american film schools, ranked.

The prestigious graduate program consistently churns out Oscar winners, including CODA director and 2022 Oscar winner Sian Heder, and blockbuster directors, and has made an effort to diversify its student body. Over half of the incoming students are women, and nearly half are filmmakers of color — all are eligible for new funds like the Halyna Hutchins Memorial Scholarship. This year, AFI’s speaker seminars were an Oscar fest, including the likes of Guillermo del Toro, Denis Villeneuve and Maggie Gyllenhaal, while professors are still notably active in the industry, like cinematography head Stephen Lighthill, who was reelected as the ASC president. “More than anything, I wanted to find those essential creative collaborators,” AFI grad and Sundance breakout Chloe Okuno says of the school’s main perk.

TUITION $65,800 (graduate)

ALUMNI Patty Jenkins, Ari Aster, Sam Esmail

2. New York University

The Tisch School of the Arts will launch an academic and production institute in honor of alumnus Martin Scorsese thanks to a gift from George Lucas and Mellody Hobson. The institute will feature a major virtual production facility, as well as support for student scholarships. In the coming academic year, the graduate program will continue its mentorship program, which pairs students with filmmakers — the inaugural year brought in Isabel Sandoval and Raven Jackson.

TUITION $63,000 (undergraduate); $68,000 (graduate)

ALUMNI Chloé Zhao, Dee Rees

3. University of Southern California

LOS ANGELES

TUITION $63,468 (undergrad); $37,149-$54,461 (graduate)

ALUMNI Ryan Coogler, Jon M. Chu

4. Chapman University

ORANGE, CALIFORNIA

Drawing names like Lorenzo di Bonaventura to teach classes, while adding high-end tech like a fleet of RED Komodo cameras, the Dodge College continues to impress. It also offers production students subsidies up to $15,000 for theses. The school opened a new career center to help with the post-graduate transition into the industry, but students are succeeding while still in school, like Phumi Morare, who took home the top narrative prize at the most recent Student Academy Awards. “Prior to film school, we had mostly worked with each other,” says alumni and Stranger Things creators the Duffer brothers. “Suddenly, we were collaborating with dozens of peers to achieve one goal, one vision.”

TUITION $60,290 (undergrad); $46,936 TO $49,788 (graduate)

ALUMNI The Duffer brothers, Justin Simien, Carlos López Estrada

SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA

TUITION $54,440

ALUMNI Tim Burton, Brad Bird

6. Emerson College

Emerson’s reach expands to an L.A. outpost on Sunset Boulevard as well as global opportunities in Paris and the Netherlands. Back in Beantown, a new Visual and Media Arts directing studio was inaugurated in 2021, and curriculum additions include such classes as The Art of Anti-Racist Media Making and Accessible Cinema, the latter of which teaches students to produce captions and audio descriptions for non-auditory and low-vision audiences. “What I loved about the Emerson experience is the latitude, creative freedom and support we had to find our voices,” says Oscar-nominated Raya and the Last Dragon writer Adele Lim. “As a foreign student who grew up in a more restrictive culture, this was revolutionary.”

TUITION $51,264 (undergrad); $1,322 (per credit graduate)

ALUMNI Richard LaGravenese, Erik Messerschmidt

7. Columbia University

TUITION $69,152 (undergrad); $65,620 (graduate)

ALUMNI Kathryn Bigelow, James Mangold, Jennifer Lee

8. Loyola Marymount University

This summer, LMU brought in former UNC School of the Arts program head Joanne Moore as the long-awaited replacement for Peggy Rajski, and the Westchester campus appointed Charles Swanson as associate dean of DEI. Recently, LMU hosted a pitch event for individuals who completed their Film Independent Story Development Incubator Lab, a one-year program that preps alumni to dive headfirst into the industry. 

TUITION $54,630 (undergrad); $26,226-$34,968 (graduate)

ALUMNI Francis Lawrence; How I Met Your Father writer Karen Joseph Adcock

TUITION (undergrad) $13,804 resident, $31,026 nonresident; (graduate) $17,756 resident, $32,858 nonresident

ALUMNI Dustin Lance Black, Gina Prince-Bythewood

10. University of North Carolina School of the Arts

WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA

America’s first public arts conservatory, UNCSA now has Deborah LaVine leading the filmmaking program. This fall, it launches an Anthology Production Lab dedicated to producing a 13-episode streaming series, and Emily Spivey will teach Acting for Animators.

TUITION (undergrad) $6,497 resident, $23,731 nonresident; (graduate) $9,196 resident, $23,899 nonresident

ALUMNI Danny McBride; Mare of Easttown director Craig Zobel

11. University of Texas at Austin

Filmmaking to Decolonize and Social Justice Filmmaking are two additions to the production curriculum, a part of the school’s commitment to DEI. Faculty includes filmmakers like Iliana Sosa, whose doc What We Leave Behind just premiered at SXSW, while alumni spans both above- and below-the-line talent like Wes Anderson and Oscar-winning sound designer Mac Ruth ( Dune ).

TUITION (undergrad) $11,230 resident, $39,756 nonresident; (graduate) $9,996 resident, $18,816 nonresident

ALUMNI Glen Powell; Shang-Chi writer Andrew Lanham

12. Columbia College Chicago

TUITION $31,026 (undergrad); $35,000 (graduate)

ALUMNI Lena Waithe, George Tillman Jr.

13. Wesleyan University

MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT

A small liberal-arts school with a vast alumni roster of boldfaced names, Wesleyan’s film studies are primarily focused on analysis, which breeds auteurs. Students enjoy the use of the recently completed Jeanine Basinger Center, which houses three theaters, a production wing and archives. With a big private school price tag, the school additionally offers three filmmaking grants for first-generation and BIPOC film majors as well as Career Transition Grants. Star Trek: Discovery EP and program alum Alex Kurtzman says of beloved professor Basinger (now retired), “Jeanine told me that if I really wanted to be a screenwriter, I should take drum lessons. At the time I had no idea what she meant, but of course she was exactly right: I understood that screenwriting is all about rhythm and pace.”

TUITION $63,722

ALUMNI Lin-Manuel Miranda

14. Florida State University

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA

TUITION (undergrad) $6,517 resident, $21,683 nonresident; (graduate) $14,379 resident, $33,300 nonresident

ALUMNI Barry Jenkins; Father of the Bride writer Matt Lopez

15. DePaul University

Thanks to an eight-figure donation, the School of Cinematic Arts is rich with resources to help students with tuition and state-of-the-art equipment. Also new are advisory boards, including one tied to the Second City comedy degree — Keegan-Michael Key and Steve Carell have signed on.

TUITION $42,189 (undergrad); $23,400-$32,000 (graduate)

ALUMNI John C. Reilly, Gillian Anderson

16. Ithaca College

ITHACA, NEW YORK

The school is constructing The Cube, a volume stage featuring LED panels on the floor, ceiling and walls — akin to what The Mandalorian uses for its production. The construction comes as Ithaca changes one of its degree names from Television-Radio to Television & Digital Media Production to reflect the state of Hollywood. Liz Tigelaar, showrunner of Little Fires Everywhere , still treasures her time in Elisabeth Nonas’ writing class: “We wrote a group Seinfeld script, and I loved the process of pitching jokes.”

TUITION $48,126

ALUMNI David Boreanaz, Rachel Lee Goldenberg, Mike Royce

17. Boston University

TUITION $61,050

ALUMNI Benny Safdie, Jim Gianopulos

18. Syracuse University

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK

The Newhouse School now allows students to spend a semester working at Lionsgate Studios. It has added a Talent Management Clinic, while new tracks of study include media innovation, entertainment business and custom study in entertainment media.

TUITION $58,440 (undergrad); $32,436 (graduate)

ALUMNI Rob Edwards, Dan Silver

19. ArtCenter College of Design

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA

ArtCenter boasts a tactile approach to the business, and thanks in part to a donation from alumnus Zack Snyder, students have access to the renovated Ahmanson Auditorium, where they can use the Dolby Atmos sound system, and the 4K digital screen to color-correct films.

TUITION $48,942 (undergrad); $51,726 (graduate)

ALUMNI Michael Bay; Pulp Fiction co-writer Roger Avary

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

TUITION $39,105 (undergrad) $40,050 (graduate)

ALUMNI Dune VFX artist Austin Bonang

21. Ringling College

SARASOTA, FLORIDA

Known for its animation endeavors, as well as curriculum that prepares students for music video production and branded content, Ringling also offers more than 30,000 square feet of soundstage and production space. Student Alexander Tullo was recognized with a 2nd place honor at this year’s Student Academy Awards for their animated short, “Barking Orders.”

TUITION $48,110

ALUMNI Editor Andrew Halley

22. Rhode Island School of Design

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

Best known for experimental and digital arts, RISD offers high-minded courses on topics like the relationship between music and moving images and how technology can be used to engage remote audiences with live performance. Ryan Cunningham, an alum and head of Running Man Post, says of his experience: “The tenets of my RISD education were problem-solving with design, out-of-the-box thinking, and the ability to critique.”

TUITION $56,435

ALUMNI Gus Van Sant

23. Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema at Brooklyn College

TUITION $21,134 resident; $30,564 nonresident

ALUMNI More Happiness director Livia Huang

24. Howard University

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The film program at Howard is the only MFA offered at an HBCU. Since 1983, the school has had an independent filmmaking focus, pairing practical production with film theory courses that cover African Cinema and postcolonial Third Cinema. In July it was announced that Disney would be partnering with the university for a storytellers fund that will provide stipends for student projects across mediums.

TUITION $33,860 (graduate)

ALUMNI Selma cinematographer Bradford Young

25. California State University Northridge (tie)

NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA

TUITION $7,064 (undergrad); $8,498 (graduate)

ALUMNI Lionsgate vp production Ami Cohen

25. Northwestern University (tie)

As documentaries continue to dominate Netflix’s most-watched lists, Northwestern, with a famed journalism program, offers the courses to help students navigate the nonfiction boom. Recent visiting artists included Oscar-nominated doc filmmaker Garrett Bradley, while Professor Marco Williams, Emmy nominated for Tulsa Burning , recently earned a grant from the National Endowment for his next documentary project. Taking a step toward making graduate degrees in the arts more attainable, especially for students of color, the university is fully funding its MFA programs beginning with the 2022-23 school year.

TUITION $62,391 (undergrad)

ALUMNI Seth Meyers, Greg Berlanti, Zach Braff, Stephen Colbert, Ashley Nicole Black

In order to decide which programs make up The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 25 American Film Schools list— and then where they end up within the list — calls are made to knowledgable industry players to determine what each school’s reputation is within greater Hollywood. Also taken into consideration are the changes the school has made year-over-year (for example, whether an Oscar winner was hired to teach screenwriting students about story structure). Finally, THR looks at the alma maters of the past year’s top awards-season winners, film festival breakouts, and box office stars.

Alternative New York and California Film Schools

Many of the top film programs in North America are housed inside private colleges and universities, meaning tuition costs are an outsized financial factor when students are pursuing an education in filmmaking.

Student loan debt is an ever-increasing concern as tuition costs continue to rise. And for an impacted industry like entertainment with uncertain employment prospects, the cost can give many would-be filmmakers increased anxiety. With this in mind, THR has compiled a list of state and community college programs in or near entertainment hubs of Los Angeles and New York City .  

City College of New York

The only BFA in film offered in New York City, the program at City College sees 25 students follow a two-year curriculum focused on single-camera fiction production and documentary filmmaking. Students, who pay an in-state tuition of $7,340, will produce thesis films that can be either narrative or doc shorts.

SUNY Stony Brook

Christine Vachon and her Killer Films helped to build out the curriculum for the MFA film program, while the school’s MFA in Television Writing was built by TV writing instructor Alan Kingsberg. Students have had their work screened in the Atlanta Film Festival, DOC NYC and the New York Short Film Festival.

Purchase College, State University of New York

Rutgers University

Yes, it’s in New Jersey, but the school is NYC-adjacent and houses a BFA in filmmaking program, where students learn with high-end cameras, and a dedicated Documentary Film Lab. In the past year, its visiting filmmaker series has brought in names like White Tiger director Ramin Bahrani.

Cal State Long Beach

The school offers a B.A. and a minor from the Department of Film & Electronic Arts, where students can focus on theory or narrative production. Classes range from Intro to Production Design to Writing the Short Script.

Cal State Los Angeles

CSU has a yearly tuition of $6,781 for in-state students, offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Industry partners include Adobe and the Sundance Institute, and its Television, Film & Media Center houses a 2,300-square-foot soundstage, a 20-camera full-body motion capture system and sound recording rooms.

Santa Monica City College

Associate degrees in film production and film studies are offered from the West L.A. campus, with the film program having launched in 2010. Recently, the student short film “The War Within” — written and directed by SMC film student Marta D’Ocon — screened at the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the American Pavilion during the Cannes Film Festival.

San Francisco State University

Update Aug. 5, 3 p.m. A version of this story previously listed Joanne Moore as the former dean of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She was the chair of the Producing Department.

This story first appeared in the Aug. 3 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe .

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Cinema Arts, M.F.A. (2023-24)

School of visual, media and performing arts, program overview.

Develop the courage and confidence to express your personal vision through film. Whether you are a budding screenwriter, producer, editor, or director, the Master of Fine Arts in cinema arts offers you the opportunity to tap into your creativity and learn all aspects of the art, craft, and business of storytelling. This program offers graduate students a rare opportunity to study on a live studio lot.

Where You'll Go

With concentrations in cinematography, digital animation and visual effects, directing, post-production, producing, and screenwriting, this program prepares students for a wide variety of careers in the film industry, including film and television editor, director, producer, entertainment executive, or critic.

Program Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2023–24 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here .

Program Description

The Barry R. Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema offers a Master of Fine Arts degree in cinema arts with a concentration in one of the following areas: directing, cinematography, screenwriting, post-production, digital animation and visual effects, and producing. The three-year, 66-credit concentrations in directing, cinematography, screenwriting, post-production, and digital animation and visual effects, and the two-year 52-credit concentration in producing, prepare students for professional careers in their area of specialization through a combination of practical and theoretical courses.

Program Requirements (52–66 Credits)

66 credits are required for the concentrations in directing, cinematography, screenwriting, post-production, and digital animation and visual effects; 52 credits are required for the concentration in producing.

Students must complete requirements in one specialization.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Create a body of work that reflects an understanding and command of the short-form narrative or documentary and the principles of visual storytelling.
• Ability to successfully collaborate with fellow students, crew, and cast in pursuit of common creative and production objectives.
• Ability to manage the film production process, including the resources of time, money, technology, and people.
• Exhibit an ability to learn how to learn from the study of film history, film theory, and master artists and technicians in the field.

Cinematography Track

Demonstrate a command of industry standard equipment and technology—including camera, grip, lighting, and color correction—and successfully apply them to the execution of student film productions.

Admissions Requirements

• Fall Application Deadline—January 15, rolling admission
• Spring Application Deadline—The program does not accept applications for spring.

Supporting Documents for Matriculation

Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

• Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree outside the United States need to submit a Course by Course International Transcript Evaluation. See Graduate Admissions for more information.
• Statement of purpose. Write a three- to four-page (double-spaced, 12-point font) statement explaining your purpose in undertaking graduate study in cinema arts. This is your opportunity to articulate your goals, interests, and career plans as they relate to pursuing an M.F.A. in cinema arts. We are trying to gain a sense of who you are and the distinctive experiences and interests that have motivated you to pursue this degree.
• Two letters of recommendation
• Creative portfolio. Prepare and submit a portfolio of creative work via the online application system, Slideroom . Note that, upon submitting your creative portfolio, Slideroom will charge a small fee for applicants to use this service. (You may pay this fee with a credit or debit card.) Portfolio submission materials will not be returned to applicants. We recommend submitting copies only. All cinema arts applicants must submit one of the following:
• A short film that you have personally directed, or for which you were a principal creative contributor and credited as such (e.g., as writer, producer, cinematographer, editor, vfx designer/supervisor), not to exceed 15 minutes; or
• An original treatment for a feature film, in 10 pages or less (double-spaced, 12-point font), which can include photographs or visuals not to exceed one third of total treatment, plus one additional written page explaining why you want to make this project and create this specific story; or
• A short script (correctly formatted) that you have individually written, not to exceed 12 pages in length.

You may submit your résumé and statement of purpose via e-mail .

Additional/Optional items: You are welcome to submit up to five additional items on Slideroom (either visual pieces, such as videos, photos, visual documentation of creative work, or written pieces, provided you played a key role on those works). Clearly describe exactly your role on each item that you submit on Slideroom.

While you are required to submit a portfolio of your creative work on Slideroom, you are permitted to supplement your portfolio by listing a URL to an online portfolio of your creative work on your résumé or CV.

Required Tests

• F-1 or J-1 international students must submit English Proficiency Exam. TOEFL- 79, IELTS- 6.5, PTE- 58-63, Duolingo 105-160.

Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions .

Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema

25 Washington Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11210 E: [email protected] P: 718.237.3410

Or contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210 E:  [email protected] P: 718.951.4536

Office Hours

Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:

BC Admissions Appointment Tool

Specializations

Cinematography.

All of the following courses: FILM 7013G , 7201G , 7202G , 7211G , 7221G , 7231G , 7241G , 7541G , 7542G , 7821G , 7832G , 7951G , 7201G , 7202G , 7211G , 7221G , 7231G , 7241G , 7541G , 7542G , 7821G , 7832G , 7951G , and any three graduate film courses not required for the M.F.A. in cinema arts and for this specialization.

Digital Animation and Visual Effects

All of the following courses: FILM 7005G , 7014G , 7601G , 7611G , 7612G , 7613G , 7614G , 7621G , 7622G , 7624G , 7631G , 7634G , 7943G , 7955G , 7965G , 7966G , and five elective courses*.

*Examples of Digital Animation & Visual Effects Advanced Discipline Electives:

• 3D Character Animation 1
• 3D Character Animation 2
• 3D Computer Animation 4
• Directing Actors
• Experimental Animation
• Hybrid Animation
• Lighting Workshop
• Motion Capture

Screenwriting

• Sound Editing and Design
• Theories of Animation & VFX
• Typography, Design, and Motion Graphics

All of the following courses: FILM 7013G , 7014G , 7023G , 7801G , 7811G , 7942G , 7964G , 7101G , 7111G , 7121G , 7131G , 7201G , 7202G , 7301G , 7821G , 7831G , 7832G , 7951G , 7961G , and any two graduate film courses not required for the M.F.A. in cinema arts and for this specialization.

Post-Production

All of the following courses: FILM 7013G , 7014G , 7023G , 7501G , 7502G , 7511G , 7513G , 7515G , 7521G , 7522G , 7523G , 7541G , 7801G , 7811G , 7832G , 7953G , 7963G , 7964G , and any three graduate film course not required for the M.F.A. in cinema arts and for this specialization.

All of the following courses: FILM 7016G , 7302G , 7401G , 7411G , 7414G , 7422G , 7423G , 7462G , 7471G , 7531G , 7801G , 7832G , 7942G , 7951G , 7961G , 7964G , and any one graduate film course not required for the M.F.A. in cinema arts and for this specialization.

All of the following courses: FILM 7013G , 7014G , 7023G , 7801G , 7811G , 7942G , 7964G , 7301G , 7302G , 7312G , 7321G , 7322G , 7323G , 7331G , 7332G , 7821G , 7952G , 7962G , and any four graduate film courses not required for the M.F.A. in cinema arts and for this specialization.

The Support You’ll Find

Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.

Charles Haine

Paula J. Massood

Richard Lopez

Ricardo Hernandez Anzola

Internships and Employers

Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the cinema arts M.F.A. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, inlcuding:

Student Resources

Take the Next Step

Request Info Visit Our Campus Apply Now

Brooklyn. All in.

Kanbar Institute of Film & Television Graduate Film

Be a part of the next wave..

The Graduate Film program is an intensive three-year conservatory in the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television that trains students in the art of cinematic storytelling. We focus on helping writer/directors develop a narrative voice and the technical virtuosity to express that voice in cinema.

Students learn by doing, in the classroom and on set. They write, direct, and produce multiple films and exercises, shooting and crewing on each other's projects. Our students transition into the professional world with a reel of short films that showcase their talent, a feature film script, and a range of highly sought technical skills.

The Graduate Film Program offers a stimulating, challenging, and diverse creative community in the heart of Greenwich Village. Our faculty are working professionals who are committed to developing the next generation of filmmakers.

My students teach me.

Artistic Director

• 1-800-611-FILM
• Admissions Requirements

MFA Admissions Requirements

Applying to mfa programs at nyfa.

NYFA offers a range of challenging, project-based Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree programs in the film, performing, and visual arts. The ideal MFA applicant should demonstrate a sincere passion and aptitude for visual storytelling, graduate-level work, and scholarly research in their chosen discipline. To apply and enroll in a Master of Fine Arts graduate degree program at NYFA, prospective students must go through our application and admissions process, which includes a candidate interview and the submission of materials such as a creative portfolio and narrative statement.

Submitting Applications

To start the application process, prospective students must submit a MFA application. We recommend that students allow 20-40 minutes to fill out the application. This does not include the curation and submission of required creative materials, which will be uploaded through our online portal. Please note that students must submit a non-refundable $75 application fee, payable as part of the online application.

Required Application Materials

Once an application is processed, students will be assigned an admissions representative. The NYFA admissions representative will guide students through the admissions process, including the submission of required creative portfolio items, their narrative statement, and undergraduate transcripts, and more.

Graduate (MFA) applicants must submit the following materials for admission:

– Completed Graduate (MFA) Program Application – Application Fee ($75) – Undergraduate Degree Transcript – Narrative Statement – Letters of Recommendation – Creative Portfolio / Audition – Proof of English Proficiency (where applicable)

The following sections provide detailed information regarding each required application material. All transcripts and supporting materials must be submitted digitally.

Undergraduate Degree Transcripts

All students pursuing a graduate degree from the NYFA must submit an official, final undergraduate transcript in order to complete their application. These can be sent in sealed envelopes by mail or digitally.

Paper Transcripts: Hard copies of official transcripts are accepted, but email is preferred. Paper transcripts must be mailed to NYFA directly from the undergraduate institution in a sealed envelope.

Digital Transcripts: Students wishing to submit transcripts digitally can do so by contacting their NYFA admissions representative for instructions. Digital transcripts may be submitted using a digital submission service (such as Parchment) or your undergraduate institution’s own digital delivery service.

Experiential Learning: NYFA generally does not consider prior experiential learning as a substitute for the transcript requirements described above.

International Students: Students completing an undergraduate education in a foreign country where a language other than English is the official language, and who are able to produce an original transcript, must have it translated into English by an education evaluation service that offers translation services.

Narrative Statements

Applicants must submit a self-reflective essay (max. 5 typed pages) describing the applicant’s reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in their chosen discipline and their intended contribution to the field and the department. The essay should take into account the individual’s history, formative creative experiences, contemporary influences, as well as inspirations and overall artistic goals.

Letters of Recommendation

Students must submit two letters of recommendation verifying the applicant’s ability to successfully take on graduate study in their chosen field. Candidates should select recommenders that are in a position to evaluate the applicant’s readiness, such as teachers, supervisors, counselors, or coaches. Letters must be submitted directly to the Admissions Office by the individual writing on the applicant’s behalf. Hard copy letters must be sealed and stamped. Alternatively, letters may be sent via email by the individual writing on the applicant’s behalf.

Creative Portfolio / Audition

To showcase their proficiency and enthusiasm for their chosen field, MFA applicants must submit a creative portfolio or audition.

Requirements by Discipline: Each discipline has different requirements for their creative portfolio submissions, which range from short films to photographic series to writing samples. Collaborative work may be submitted, but applicants must detail what role they had in the creation of the work. To see the requirements for a discipline, please visit the MFA Creative Portfolio and Audition Requirements page .

Portfolio Submissions: All creative portfolio materials must be submitted digitally. Applicants should consult with their admissions representative for guidance on acceptable formats (such as pdf, text files, web links, etc.). All video submissions must be uploaded by the applicant to a streaming video site (such as Vimeo or YouTube), and a link to the site must be provided in the application materials. All portfolio materials must be submitted with an accompanying description contextualizing the nature and purpose of the project.

Please note that portfolio materials will not be returned.

Proof of English Proficiency

Non-U.S. residents or international applicants, for whom English is not the first or native language, are required to submit proof of English proficiency, in the form of:

– TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 or higher (213 for computer-based test or 79 for internet-based test); IELTS 6.5 or the equivalent. – A report from a valid English Language School verifying completion of course level equivalent to a 550 Paper-based TOEFL Score.

Students might be eligible to receive an English proficiency waiver under the following conditions:

– Verification that the applicant has been studying in a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English for at least 1 full year at the time of their application – Verification that the applicant studied in a high school where the sole language of instruction is English for at least 3 full years at the time.

English Proficiency | COVID-19 Special Circumstances

For international students whose first language is not English, or are not eligible for an English language test waiver based on the below*, New York Film Academy has temporarily approved the use of the Duolingo English test in place of the in-person **TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency exams. Duolingo English tests taken between December 31, 2021 and August 2024, will be accepted.

The exam portion of the Duolingo English test contains a series of speaking, reading, writing and listening exercises. Following the exam, there will be an interview portion that will ask you to respond to various prompts in 30 to 90 seconds. The exam will take about 45 minutes to complete and you will need either a passport, driver license, or other national or state identification to show the camera. The score results are generally received within a few days of exam completion.

If you choose to take the Duolingo English test, the access information is linked here:  Exam Preparation and here . A verification email will be sent to you a few days after completing the exam containing a link to send your score to NYFA. For additional information, please review the frequently asked questions .

Please note that in order to gain admission to a NYFA degree program, students will need to score the following on the Duolingo test:

Master’s Degrees: 101

*Verification that the applicant has been studying in a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English for at least 1 full year at the time of their application; or Verification that the applicant had studied in a high school where the sole language of instruction is English for at least 3 full years. ** NYFA prefers students to submit TOEFL or IELTS English Proficiency Scores – please note that TOEFL is now offering ‘at home’ testing.

Candidate Interviews

As part of the admissions process, graduate applicants may be interviewed by phone, virtually, or in-person by an NYFA representative. The purpose of the interview is to identify the applicant’s goals and prior experience. The interview is also an opportunity to review the program curriculum with the applicant and to ensure that they fully understand the level of commitment required to successfully complete the degree.

Tuition Deposit

Once admitted to NYFA, students must pay a required deposit to secure their place in the MFA program. The deposit is $500, which is applied toward the first term’s tuition payment. Students who do not enroll and attend NYFA may have most of their deposit refunded. $100 of the deposit is non-refundable under any circumstances for an administrative processing fee.

Admission Stipulation

Please note that admission to any New York Film Academy program is based upon applicant information received during the admissions process. If, however, a student, after having been admitted but before starting classes, demonstrates that they are not fully prepared to commence studies at the Academy, NYFA will meet with the student to determine a proper course of action. This may include additional testing or instruction, deferring enrollment to a later semester, or enrollment in a different program of study better suited to the student.

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Best affordable mfa film school, university of california los angeles school of theater, film, and television ​.

UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT)

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Runner-up: California State University, Northridge ​

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Master of Fine Arts in Film and Media Arts

You are here: american university school of communication film & media arts master of fine arts master of fine arts in film & media arts.

Master of Fine Arts in Film & Media Arts

Innovative Media with Impact

(202) 885-2040

[email protected]

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Media with Impact

The AU School of Communication MFA in Film and Media Arts prepares you to be a  compelling visual storyteller . You will learn the skills you need for a career creating meaningful stories that inform and inspire action in film, video, and game design.

You will  concentrate your studies  in one of three areas:  Documentary, Fiction, or Games and Interactivity . Our program includes courses in media studies, history, and theory that complement the production courses, including those in  advanced-level  fiction, documentary, scriptwriting, producing, and new media topics. Our students use American University's state-of-the-art film, video, and digital equipment to build skills in film and video production, script writing, computer animation, digital imaging, sound production, and digital media design. You will also take a seminar in teaching philosophy, skills, and techniques that prepare you to teach at the university level. 

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Requirements

Financial Information

The School of Communication operates on a rolling admissions basis for our graduate programs.  Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis  until programs reach capacity.

While an undergraduate degree in visual media is desirable, applications from candidates who have majored in other fields also will be considered. Your essay demonstrating a  serious commitment to a career in this field  will be essential,  along with the other required application materials.  If you have prior experience in visual media, you should submit a portfolio illustrating relevant professional work.

Our Film and Media Arts MFA program is a  full-time program , but it can be completed  part-time . Students are generally expected to complete the 54-credit-hour program within 36 months. First-year students are  required to attend our Film & Media Arts Boot Camp  in August before their first semester. Boot Camp teaches you the essential building blocks for production. Focusing on a digital skill set, you will work on practical exercises to get up to speed with equipment and learn about the expectations of the programs in SOC.  Substitutions for Boot Camp  are possible.

Always Creating: A Filmmaker's Perspective

Always Creating: A Filmmaker's Perspective_12.10.2018 from Sydney MaHan on Vimeo .

Sydney MaHan is the graduate student speaker for 2021 commencement. During her time at AU, she directed and edited this short documentary about fellow SOC Alum Robert Boyd. MaHan has completed several film projects, including working with Smithsonian Gardens, an arm of the Smithsonian Institution, on their HABITAT and Her Story exhibits. Her work can be found on her website .

Boyd, a recent CEF graduate who was the '20-'21 FRONTLINE fellow at SOC's Investigative Reporting Workshop has been awarded the Fulbright-National Geographic Fellowship, an opportunity which provides training, mentorship, and editorial direction for projects and the associated blog.

Cost and Financial Assistance

The MFA in Film & Electronic Media is a 54 credit program. To estimate the cost of tuition, please see the  current cost per credit hour  for graduate students.

The School of Communication (SOC) offers graduate students both merit-based and need-based  financial aid . Merit awards are administered by the SOC Graduate Admissions Office, while need-based awards are administered by the  American University Office of Financial Aid . A number of   scholarships  are also available for students in the Film and Electronic Media program. Additional financial support is available for  veterans .

75 percent of students receive financial assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the ma in film and media production and the mfa in film and media arts.

Our MA in Film and Production Media is a 36-credit, 24-month program that will help you build a solid professional skill set in film, video, and digital media. You’ll acquire professional competencies in scriptwriting, cinematography, lighting, sound recording, and editing, while also learning the historical, conceptual, and aesthetic foundations and frameworks of the art form and the industry.

Our MFA in Film and Media Arts is a 54-credit, 36-month terminal degree that prepares you to teach at the university level. The focus is more on how meaningful stories are constructed, in an artistic sense, for public knowledge and action. You will also focus your studies in one of three concentrations: Documentary, Fiction, or Games and Interactivity.

What equipment will I need to own for this program?

The Film & Media Arts division of American University's School of Communication is a leader in visual storytelling and integrating the latest and evolving technologies into production and distribution.

As a result, we are pleased to partner with Apple to provide you with recommendations for your laptop needs. Remember that we have an all-digital tapeless production workflow, which means that the central tool for managing media is your computer. Read about the specific  computer requirements  for this program.

Can I place out of introductory classes if I have more advanced experience?

Applicants with prior experience in visual media, who wish to be considered for a substitution of the required  COMM-610 Principles of Video Production  and/or  COMM-663 Techniques and Aesthetics of Editing  courses, should submit a written request illustrating relevant coursework or professional experience. Those requesting a substitution of either or both of these required courses will be required to take and pass an exam. Students granted substitutions for either, or both, of these required courses take advanced coursework in order to fulfill those academic credits. It is up to the discretion of the faculty committee to allow students to proceed to fall courses even if they pass either, or both, of the required bootcamp courses.

What special programs do you offer that will allow me to gain recognition and experience?

The School of Communication offers a number of opportunities for hands-on learning that also allow you to showcase your own work. The Visions Awards celebrate the best in student visual work — documentary, fiction, digital and new media, screenwriting, and photography. Our partnership with the Film and TV School of Academy of Performing Arts in Prague helps students develop their skills and portfolios in photography and super 16mm or 35mm film. The Center for Environmental Filmmaking inspires a new generation of filmmakers and media experts committed to using media to drive environmental change. And our Center for Media & Social Impact empowers media that matter as an innovation incubator and research center that creates, studies, and showcases media for social impact.

Still have questions? Check our general admission FAQ or send us an email:  [email protected]

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Feature Film Production MFA

Storytellers wanted. Make your feature film.

UCF’s MFA in Feature Film Production is a three-year, graduate film production program that focuses on independent digital filmmaking. The Orlando-based program includes narrative, documentary, and experimental filmmaking. The thesis includes a feature film independently produced and distributed.

• Course of Study
• Tuition and Fees
• Assistantships & Fellowships
• Faculty and Staff
• Facilities and Equipment

The MFA program supports a flexible curriculum to foster student’s creative vision and professional goals.

Top 5 Reasons to Come to UCF

• Feature Film Thesis
• Affordable & Flexible Curriculum
• Industry-Grade Facilities & Faculty
• Independent Film-Maker Model
• Based in Orlando, One of the World’s Entertainment Capitals

Alumni Spotlight

Emilia garcia.

Emilia Garcia is now the Film School Director at Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil in Ecuador, where she teaches filmmaking classes and oversees film school programs.  She graduated in 2013 after directing her feature film debut, The Decorruption.  Her film won three awards and screened in six film festivals.  You can watch a trailer for Emilia’s thesis film here .

“The MFA prepared me to see microbudget filmmaking as a viable alternative, especially in the context of the Ecuadorian film market which I try to instill in my students.” — Emilia Garcia

Julian Baner

Julian Baner’s MFA thesis film Some Southern Waters made its world premiere at one of the South’s most prestigious film festivals, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.  Baner describes the film as “a black and white mystery/thriller about an aimless musician who spirals into the surreal after his girlfriend’s death.” Baner graduated in Spring of 2020 after serving as a graduate teaching associate and developing the UCF Film BFA’s new course Directing Techniques. If you would like to see Baner’s film in the virtual version of FLFF, click here . To read an exclusive interview with Julian Baner, written by Dara Anya, click here .

“UCF is the only school in the US that truly supports creating a feature-length film. It has been one of the greatest hands-on learning experiences I could have asked for. Feels like a lifetime’s worth of learning in three years.” — Julian Baner

Max rousseau.

Max Rousseau graduated UCF with a Digital Entrepreneurial Cinema MFA in Summer 2013. There, he produced his feature film, Pembroke Circle. In 2017, Rousseau moved to Boston where he currently works as Science Multimedia Coordinator at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard. “My job is to tell the stories behind the cutting-edge science and innovations through short documentaries, narratives and photos.”

Rousseau has worked on projects that celebrate the extraordinary women at the Wyss Institute and that capture the Institute’s creative and innovative spirit as faculty discuss how disruptive technology solutions can positively impact the world. Rousseau is currently working on the second installment to his piece that expresses the impact COVID is having on the Wyss Institute and how the Institute is fighting to assist healthcare workers and to make advancements on the vaccine. You can watch the first installment of this series here.

“My MFA at UCF helped develop my storytelling skills, resourcefulness, and work ethic; all have been critical assets in my current position.” — Max Rousseau

About the mfa.

The Emerging Media MFA – Feature Film Production is a terminal degree, the highest degree awarded to filmmakers or film artists. It is a highly selective and rigorous professional film production program for visual artists and film practitioners who demonstrate exceptional artistic and intellectual prowess, evidence of significant professional promise and a commitment to the expressive potential of digital filmmaking and the exploration of non-traditional modes of distribution. The MFA in Feature Film Production produces graduates with mastery of storytelling through the digital medium as it encourages the candidate to find his or her personal style. Entrepreneurial in spirit, the program emphasizes story, performance, aesthetic choice, business, and creative thinking. When participation is committed and complete, the program develops graduates who can compete in the worlds of national and international independent filmmaking.

While students may make a thesis film outside the narrative feature film model (i.e., an experimental or documentary film), all MFA candidates are required to take the core required courses that teach the customs and skills required of the narrative model. Upon completion of the degree, each student will have produced a microbudget digital feature film or long-form equivalent body of work and prepared a marketing strategy for its distribution and exhibition. The budgetary limitation is designed to encourage the student to move away from more traditional modes of production toward an approach that minimizes crew size, cast size, shooting time and production costs in favor of more careful planning, more personal filmmaking and more creative use of the means of production. We welcome innovative approaches within the digital cinema paradigm that reimagine how new technologies can create alternative performances to exploit the tension between narrative and experimental storytelling, creating a new agency for actors and new expectations for audiences.

Narrative Film Contacts

Kate Shults Lecturer

Tim Ritter Lecturer

Documentary Film Contacts

Lisa Mills Professor & Assistant Director

Experimental Film Contacts

Lisa Kritzer Graduate Coordinator & Assistant Professor

Films by UCF faculty and students have screened at some of the world’s most prestigious festivals.

If you really want to get a sense of what we’re all about, plan a campus visit. Visit with students, talk to faculty and tour our facilities. UCF is calling.

Contact Charlie Elliott Graduate Admissions Specialist [email protected]

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The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film is low-residency and offers concentrations in producing, screenwriting, directing, cinematography, and editing.

Internship experiences and workshops led by professionals are “built-in” to the studies. Situated near New York City, and in the heart of a vibrant media market, our students and graduates will be able to hone their skills and be better prepared to obtain work in the field.

MFA film students attend online courses during the fall and spring semesters and attend nine-day residencies in the summer and winter sessions. To complete the degree, students attend four residencies and eight online courses. The program can be completed in two years.

Application Deadlines

• Fall semester –  Apply by August 1
• Winter residency –  Apply by November 15
• Spring semester –  Apply by December 1
• Summer residency –  Apply by May 15

Students can begin the program with a residency on our Florham Campus held in summer or winter or with the fall or spring semester online courses.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Upcoming residency dates

• 2024 Winter:  January 14-19
• 2024 Summer:  June 7-15

Admissions Requirements

Students holding undergraduate degrees from an accredited four-year institution in the U.S. or abroad may apply. Applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale.

• Choose a start date of fall, winter, spring, or summer. Complete the FDU Application  online.
• Choose your concentration: screenwriting, producing, directing, cinematography, or editing.
• Official transcripts  verifying your undergraduate degree should be sent by your college to the Graduate Admissions Office.

Once you complete and submit the application form, the system will prompt you to upload other required documents.

• Upload a statement of purpose to your application. Please tell us more about yourself and why you wish to pursue an MFA in Film
• You can submit a film work (.mov or QT file), a screenplay, stage play, or creative writing document (Use PDF or MS Word format. Please paginate and put your name on every page). Portfolios may contain live-action film material, screenplays, or other written narrative work. Work from other disciplines can be submitted — be it animation, playwriting, photography, graphic design, or fine arts.
• Letters of recommendation are welcome, but not required. They can be uploaded to the application or sent to [email protected]
• Complete the  FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)   online asap if you require financial aid. You don’t have to accept any funds unless you choose to. Many graduate students are eligible for State and/or Federal loans and aid. Our Financial Aid Office (974-443-8704) can assist with this.

In making admissions decisions, the greatest weight is given to screenwriting samples, completed film projects, festivals, professional recognition, and employer recommendations. The work-related experience will also be taken into consideration. While admission will not require the undergraduate major to have been in a film-related field, creativity demonstrated while an undergraduate, or in professional work environments, will be considered.

Prospective students may also arrange a meeting with the program director to discuss program options and tour the film facilities.

MFA in Film Curriculum

The degree takes a minimum of two years to complete. Students have up to five years to finish. Four on-campus residencies, eight online courses, and a completed thesis are required for the degree. A total of 60 credits are required to graduate.

Room and board are included in your residency fee. Students are responsible for their own travel to and from the residency. For information on tuition, please see the Graduate tuition and fees  page. The MFA in Film tuition is located under the “Per Credit” heading. If you have any questions, feel free to email  [email protected] .

Course Requirements

Over the course of their studies, students complete four nine-day residencies held on the Florham Campus, Madison, NJ campus. The residencies are held twice a year in the summer and winter sessions. All courses (including residencies) are 5 credits each.

• FILM5000 MFA in Film Residency.

Two 8-week online courses are run consecutively each semester. In the first semester, students take the foundation course, FILM7015 – Story, Cinema & Screen Language, and the first of 4 courses in their concentration. Students choose their concentration when they apply.

Each semester, students choose one of the following “Essentials” courses from the list below for a total of 3 essential courses. The Editing/Post Production Essentials course is required:

• FILM6000 Screenwriting Essentials
• FILM6001 Producing Essentials
• FILM6002 Directing Essentials
• FILM6003 Cinematography Essentials
• FILM6004 Editing/Post Production Essentials (required)

Below is an example of a two-year sequence for a student beginning with a summer residency. Students can begin the program in summer, fall, winter, or spring.

Year one, 30 credits

Summer on-campus residency

• Story, Cinema, and Screen Language (foundation course)
• Course in concentration

Winter on-campus residency

Spring term:

• Course in Concentration
• Essentials course (Editing/Post Production or choose one)

Year two, 30 credits

Professional workshops and internships are available at:.

• ZGC Film & Digital Equipment
• Shadowstone Studios: Media, Film & Entertainment Lighting
• Butter Tree Studios: Film & Sound Stages
• New Jersey Theater Alliance (Actor Access)
• MediaMix Studios: Studio, Location, Post-Production, Rentals
• Writers Guild of America, East
• New Jersey Film Commission, Steve Gorelick, David Schoner, Directors

Course Descriptions

FILM5000 Students attend 9-day required residencies to complete the MFA in Film degree. During the residencies, students will work directly with their mentors, attend workshops, screenings, and lectures, film and edit projects, and engage with other film students.

FILM6000 Screenwriters are tasked with translating the story into the structure demanded by a teleplay or screenplay. Whether it be selecting what story elements to keep-and which to throw away- or how to structure a story so it is told in the most dramatic way possible, screenwriters use the opportunities provided in their chosen medium- film, tv, etc. to create the blueprint of the production.

FILM6001 Producers play a vital role in the selection of material, business development, legal filings, and creative execution of content produced for theatrical, streaming, or broadcast: lead to that position. The producer has a role that is part business person and part creative executive. This course will present an overview of the expectations placed on the producer, and a career path, which can lead to that position.

FILM6002 Directors don't merely interpret the screenplay, they must understand how best to exploit its' cinematic potential. Whether it be in the casting, the locations, in the performances, or in the design of the production and camerawork to be used, the director must accept the creative responsibility of anchoring the production for the entirety of its' development and execution.

FILM6003 Armed with the script, supported by production designers and cast, the cinematographer must lead the talented crew on the set, to visualize and photograph the story. A creative cinematographer is not just a talented photographer, but a key collaborator in how the story is told. The role demands a knowledge of the ever-changing technology of film, and the skills to obtain the best work from a large crew. There are a lot of moving parts the cinematographer must lead, in order to best serve the production, and allow it to move toward fruition.

FILM6004 The editor is the anchor of the film project. Relied upon and trusted by directors and producers to provide another set of 'eyes', the editor not only assists in selecting the best material to use but often decides where it should be used. Decisions about cutting scenes, moving them around as the story demands and otherwise structuring the story in ways not previously seen, often fail to the editor. Artists such as Orson Welles said, "Editing isn't just a part of film making. Editing is film making."

School of the Arts

Cinematography (MFA)

Let’s get started

All MFA programs in Film, Television and Digital Media are full-time programs. The department admits new students only once each year for the Fall Quarter and the next application period is for Fall 2024. We will be publishing the Fall 2024 supplemental requirements by September 15, 2023. We do not accept films, DVDs or CDs. Applicants must submit all required application materials to be considered for admission.

• International Applicants

For more information

• [email protected]

How to Apply

APPLICATION WORKSHEET AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY

By the time of entrance, MFA applicants must:

• Have at least a 3.0 GPA.
• Satisfy the University of California’s Graduate Admission Requirements.
• Complete equivalent to a 4-year U.S. bachelor’s degree.

Deadline: November 1, 2023

UCLA Graduate Application

Complete the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application .

• Indicate MFA, Film and Television, Production/Cinematography as the program.
• Submit a 1-2 page document.
• Upload a Personal Statement.
• Submit a 2-4 page document.
• Upload Unofficial copies of all Transcripts.
• Enter the Names and Emails of all recommenders into the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application.

Mail an Official copy of all Transcripts from each Undergraduate and Graduate institutions attended.

• Note: Community College transcripts are not necessary.

Request that all Test Scores be sent directly to UCLA.

• Only test scores taken by December 31, 2023 will be accepted.
• Note: The GRE is not required for MFA applicants.

Mailing Address

Please send all applicable materials to:

Graduate Film Admissions: Cinematography UCLA Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media 103 East Melnitz Hall, Box 951622 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1622

Filmmaking, MFA

Each student directs three motion picture projects.

The program accepts 12 new students each year; most courses enroll only 12 students.

The extensive equipment room includes over 100 digital camera packages.

Graduates are prepared for careers such as:

Learn to lead a collaborative team in realizing your artistic vision.

Learn to write, produce, shoot, light, edit and sound mix digital media.

New media and experimental courses expand outside conventional forms.

The MFA is a terminal degree that qualifies graduates for university teaching positions.

Develop expertise in producing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing and sound design.

Develop technical expertise and master cinematic storytelling, expression and aesthetics

Develop collaborative and commercial networks with peers and professionals

“ I feel such a strong community here. We’re all creative in our own unique ways. ”

APPLIED LEARNING IN A CREATIVE COMMUNITY

UNCW’s MFA in filmmaking is an immersive three-year terminal degree program. The comprehensive curriculum includes multi-modal (narrative, documentary and experimental) workshops in cinematography, screenwriting, editing, sound design, producing and directing, as well as courses in cinema history, analysis and aesthetics.

You will develop technical expertise and a creative voice by directing three film projects, collaborating on projects directed by peers and developing filmmaking skills in specialized classes, including elective courses in animation and new media (installation, 360 video, VR and interactive media). You will be matched with faculty mentors offering a wide range of experience and expertise.

You will build additional skills and grow your professional network by completing an applied learning project in community outreach, an internship or other professional collaboration.

The MFA in filmmaking is part of a thriving film community. The UNCW Film Studies Department also offers an M.A. in film studies program and an active undergraduate film studies program.

Wilmington is home to EUE/Screen Gems studios , the Wilmington Regional Film Commission , the documentary organization Working Films , multiple production companies  and the acclaimed Cucalorus Film Festival .

Resources and Facilities

University film center.

• Large equipment room stocked with full range of camera, lighting, grip and sound equipment.
• 4,000-square-foot sound stage with set, lighting grid and full company power box.
• Postproduction lab with 20 pro dual 27-inch monitor Mac stations.
• Sound recording and mixing studio.
• 70-seat theater with 4K digital projection and 7.1 surround sound.
• New media studio with lighting grid, company power box and green screen, as well as equipment dedicated to immersive sound and video installation production.
• Media lab and research space with equipment for volumetric video capture, projection mapping, virtual reality, 360 cinema capture, binaural and ambisonic sound recording, and stop motion animation.
• Postproduction lab with 20 dual 27-inch monitor Mac stations.
• 175-seat high-definition digital movie theater with 7.1 surround sound.

MFA in filmmaking students shoot assignments and projects on professional-standard digital and celluloid cameras. Narrative cameras are equipped with high quality prime lens sets, follow focus, matte box and fluid head tripods.

All UNCW students are provided with the Adobe Creative Cloud software suite, which including Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, Photoshop and InDesign. Post-production labs are equipped with Mac Pro and iMac computers loaded with the software above, as well as Pro Tools, Movie Magic, Final Cut Pro, Izotope RX, Red Giant and Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve.

Sample Courses

Admission deadlines & requirements, information: m.f.a. filmmaking.

• Complete applications are considered for admission as a group, after the published deadline.
• Applications received on or before the priority deadline will receive priority review. Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be reviewed through the space available deadline if unfilled positions remain. 

Coordinator

• Mr. Dave Monahan 910-962-7544 [email protected]  

Location/DeliveryMethod

• Main Campus

Deadlines (11:59 p.m. EST)

• Complete application required by priority deadline for teaching assistantship consideration & other support.
• Space Available Deadline:  April 15, 2024

Transcripts

• One official transcript is required from each U.S. post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Getting Started page for international transcript instructions.

Test Scores

• None Required

Recommendations

• 3 letters of recommendation

Additional Requirements

• Upload Supplemental Documents After Submission
• A Statement of Purpose:   A Statement of Purpose that articulates the goals the candidate would like to pursue in the M.F.A. program. The Statement of Purpose must also include links to creative film or video work uploaded to Vimeo.com, and a description of the work that includes your role in each project, and the date each project was completed. Teaching Assistantship: Applicants who wish to be considered for a teaching assistant position should include a paragraph communicating interest, relevant experience, and ways they seek to foster community and inclusion for students of all backgrounds on set and in the classroom.
• A sample of creative film or video work:  A sample of creative film or video work. You may submit multiple samples of creative work, but the total running time of all samples must be at least 5 minutes and no more than 20 minutes. All creative work samples must be uploaded to Vimeo.com, with links and descriptions included in the Statement of Purpose.  Vimeo.com Information
• Work in other media:   Work in other media (i.e. still photographs, audio projects or a written script) may be submitted, but at least one example of filmmaking work is required. The application for graduate admission allows up to three uploads of work in other media, each with a maximum size of 20mb.
• An example of academic writing: This may be a anything that you’ve written for a class. There is no page limit; we recommend something at least 5-10 pages long.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Differential Tuition: Differential tuition applies to this program. Tuition & Fees

Explore More Program Details

Learn more about the Department

Related Programs

Film studies, m.a..

A two-year Master of Arts degree in the history, theory and aesthetics of cinema.

Creative Writing, MFA

An intensive, three-year studio-academic experience in the writing of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction.

Dual Degrees | MBA/MFA

Dual Degree: MBA/MFA

Program Structure Admission to the MBA/MFA Program Tuition & Financial Aid Career Services Student Life

The program is a partnership between NYU Stern and the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television at the Tisch School of the Arts. Designed to be the most comprehensive of its kind, harnessing the top faculty and resources of each school, the dual degree program produces highly employable individuals sought by major film studios, independent production companies and major television studios and networks.

The MBA/MFA program is designed to be completed over the course of three years, instead of the approximately four years that it would take to complete the MBA and MFA degrees independently. The first year of the program is spent at NYU Stern, the second year is spent at Kanbar and the third year is split between the two programs.

Program Structure

The MBA/MFA program takes three years to complete, including two summers. Students spend the first year at Stern, the second year at Kanbar and the third year is split between the two schools. Both summers are spent completing degree requirements at Kanbar. To view a sample schedule, visit the MBA Academic Affairs website .

MBA/MFA students register with either Kanbar or NYU Stern depending on where they are taking the majority of their credits in a particular semester.

Admission to the MBA/MFA Program

For the 2024 NYU Stern Dual Degree application, please visit the Dual Degree Application page.

To apply for the MBA/MFA program, candidates must complete NYU Stern’s dual degree application as well as an application for Kanbar. While no additional admissions standards are applied to applications at either school, students qualify for the MBA/MFA program only upon admission to both schools. Please note that candidates will only be considered for the MBA/MFA dual degree program if they receive an invitation to interview from Kanbar.

Students who are already enrolled at NYU Stern may apply to the MBA/MFA program and will be considered on a space-available basis. Availability depends on the number of admitted students from the year prior who choose to enroll and remain in the MBA/MFA dual degree program. Interested first-year MBA students should contact  [email protected]  to inquire about space availability. To apply, first-year MBA students must submit a complete application to Kanbar during their first semester.

MBA/MFA dual degree applicants must use NYU Stern’s dual degree application. They cannot apply using the Consortium application or NYU Stern’s MBA application.

Tuition & Financial Aid

MBA/MFA students pay full tuition and fees at the school through which they are registered each semester. If a student exceeds the maximum number of per-semester credits and/or courses permitted by the program in which she/he is registered, the tuition and fees for the additional credits must be paid to that program.

All applicants admitted to Stern are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Scholarships to the Kanbar Institute are awarded on a competitive basis and may reflect academic merit as well as demonstrated financial need.

View information on Stern MBA financial aid and Tisch financial aid .

Career Services

Students are encouraged to take advantage of all career counseling and placement services at both NYU Stern and Tisch throughout the dual degree program. However, please note that students pursuing careers in the entertainment sector typically follow a primarily self-directed career search, as media and entertainment firms have not traditionally recruited on campus.

In their first year, MBA/MFA students have access to Stern's Ignite program. Ignite consists of required and optional workshops, panel discussions, mini-courses, Q&A sessions, mock interviews, resume critiques and functionally-specific strategy groups. In the second year, students have access to career counseling and online tools at Stern. In their third year, students can participate in the on-campus recruiting program at Stern. It should be noted that since both summers are spent completing academic requirements at Kanbar, MBA/MFA students are not expected to pursue a summer internship.

Learn more about career resources at Stern and Tisch .

Student Life

MBA/MFA students are encouraged to become active in campus life at both schools. There are dozens of student clubs and organizations at both Stern and the Tisch School of the Arts .

Bridging the Gap Between the “Creatives” and the “Suits”

Nyu stern mba/mfa program.

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The Museum’s team of cinephiles brings you a rich slate of independent and international cinema. Don’t miss renowned festivals, cult classics, international favorites, and more. See you at the movies!

Upcoming Series

Hallyu Hits: Korean Films that Moved the World

Begins May 16

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Upcoming films.

John Singer Sargent: Fashion and Swagger

Screening followed by a virtual conversation between documentary producer Phil Grabsky and Erica Hirshler, MFA curator of “Fashioned by Sargent.”

Train to Busan: Extended Cut

Snowpiercer

Nam June Paik: Moon is the Oldest TV

School Daze

Road to Boston

Kim Ji-young, Born in 1982

Funders of the Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Film Program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The M.F.A. in Television, Film and Theatre (TVFT) is a three-year, terminal degree program that prepares students for diverse professional and academic careers in content creation, acting, and writing in the narrative media. The program includes coursework in theory and aesthetics of theater, film, television and new media along with the politics of narrative, and the positioning of storytelling in the context of critical race theory, gender, and class. Students will also learn current industry business practices. There are ample opportunities to develop a creative voice and vision as they work on stage, set, collaborative projects and culminating projects, while applying real-world skills. The MFA degree, in conjunction with extensive professional experience, qualifies students to work and teach in these fields.  

A total of 58 units are required, with 31 units of core courses in 5000-level courses and 3 units of culmination project. Consultation with a graduate advisor is required for development and approval of a graduate program.

The M.F.A .in Television, Film and Theatre program offers three formal options:

Option 1:   Acting    offers training in acting, voice, movement and Viewpoints to prepare students for post-graduate careers in live or recorded mediums.

Option 2:   Content Creation    offers a progression of development and production training in live and pre-recorded environments. 

Option 3:   Writing    offers a progression in writing skills towards the development of a one-act play, a full-length play, a short film script, a TV Spec (drama and comedy), a TV pilot, and feature-film screenplays.  

Program Objectives:

The M.F.A. in Television, Film and Theatre has the following objectives:

• To offer a curriculum for future storytellers by educating them in a variety of forms of narrative arts: linear, and non-linear storytelling in television, film, theatre and new media; 
• To prepare students for careers in content creation, acting and writing by emphasizing technical proficiency and creative artistry within and across television, film and theatre;
• To provide students career options with the intellectual and historical backgrounds central to their development as media artists and scholars;
• To provide the technical and academic expertise essential to prepare future professionals and faculty in this terminal degree program;
• To provide our uniquely diverse student body with opportunities for advanced coursework in content creation, writing, and acting.

Beginning in Fall 2020, cohorts will be accepted into the program every other year.

I . Admission to the graduate program at California State University, Los Angeles requires:

• Completion of a four-year college course of study and an acceptable baccalaureate from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or completion of an equivalent academic preparation as determined by the appropriate campus authorities.
• Good academic standing at the last college or university attended.
• Attainment of a grade point average of at least 2.5 (A=4.0) in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted.

2. Admission to the MFA TVFT program jointly sponsored by the Department of Television, Film & Media Studies and the Department of Theatre and Dance further requires:

• A 3.0 grade point average in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units is preferred for unconditional acceptance with an articulated plan of study submitted for consideration along with a department-based application form.
• Submission of a portfolio of creative work and performance programs which may include production stills/film/video clips, stage plays, screenplays or television scripts.
• A statement of the applicant’s academic and professional objectives in the MFA.
• Two letters of recommendation on the applicant’s potential for success.
• Transcripts from all institutions of higher education or professional schools attended.
• Interviews will be required of all candidates.
• Students applying for the Acting Option will be required to audition using two contrasting monologues - four minutes in length.

Advancement:

The TVFT program is a highly competitive degree program. The review process is structured to assist the student in monitoring their development in the MFA program and progress towards the degree, while ensuring the highest academic and professional program standards. The faculty will evaluate the student’s academic progress based on grades (students are expected to maintain 3.0 GPA and a B grade or better in all Core Courses) and will evaluate whether students meet the program and option learning outcomes as well as maintain artistic, collaborative, and professional standards. 

1. TVFT MFA Review Procedures:

Progression towards graduation in The TVFT MFA program requires the student’s academic record and professional development to be reviewed by committee at posted intervals. The review intervals are:

• Acceptance to the program (GS-2)
• First year review
• Advancement to Candidacy / Approval for Thesis Committee (GS-10)
• Culminating Project Approval (GS-13)

If a student is not demonstrating competency in their option, as indicated by a minimum B (3.0) grade point average in all courses on the approved Study Plan, they may be placed on academic probation.

2. Advancement to Candidacy towards Culmination Project:

In order to advance to candidacy in the program, and enroll in Culmination Project coursework, the student must maintain continuing student status, successfully complete 34 units of coursework with a B or better in core coursework, with an overall sustained GPA of at least 3.0 in all semesters, have no outstanding Incompletes, and complete an advancement evaluation review. Only students who are advanced are eligible to enroll in courses and Culmination Project units.

Requirements for the Degree (58 units)

A total of 58 units are required, with 31 units of core courses, 3 units of Culmination Project, and 24 units of option requirements. Students are expected to maintain 3.0 GPA and a B grade or better in all Core Courses. Consultation with a graduate adviser is required for development and approval of a graduate program, which includes the following:

Core Courses (31 units)

• TVFT 5100 - Immersion: Theatre [3]
• TVFT 5110 - Immersion: Film/Television [3]
• TVFT 5120 - Playwriting: One Act [3]
• TVFT 5150 - Teacher Training Seminar [1]
• TVFT 5161 - Acting Studio I [3]
• TVFT 5170 - Theatrical Producing and Management [3]
• TVFT 5202 - Thriving in the Industry [2]
• TVFT 5275 - Television Production [3]
• TVFT 5300 - Production Activity [2]
• TVFT 5430 - Narrative Live Space [3]
• TVFT 5650 - Thesis Writing Preparation [3]
• TVFT 5950 - Entertainment Arts Internship [1-2]

Culminating Project (3 units)

For details of the requirement, please refer to the course description and/or to the Advancement section in the program description above.

• TVFT 5995 - Culminating Project [1-3]

Options (24 units)

Students are required to select one of the options to satisfy the program requirement.

1. Acting Option

Acting required courses (21 units).

• TVFT 5141 - Movement I: Contemporary Dance [3]
• TVFT 5151 - Voice I [3]
• TVFT 5162 - Acting Studio II [3]
• TVFT 5265 - Acting for the Camera [3]
• TVFT 5366 - Acting: Classical [3]
• TVFT 5420 - Viewpoints [3]
• TVFT 5142 - Movement II [3]
• TVFT 5152 - Voice II [3]
• TVFT 5244 - Stage Combat [3]

Acting Electives (3 units)

Electives should be chosen in consultation with an adviser from available 4000 or 5000-level courses.

2. Content Creation Option

Content creation required courses (21 units).

• TVFT 5160 - The Writers Room [3]
• TVFT 5180 - Visual Concepts in Theatrical Design [3]
• TVFT 5190 - Directing: Theatre [3]
• TVFT 5221 - Writing a Short Film [3]
• TVFT 5280 - Cinematography and Editing [3]
• TVFT 5281 - Sound Recording/Design [3]
• TVFT 5295 - Directing a Short Film [3]

Content Creation Electives (3 units)

3. writing option, writing option required courses (21 units).

• TVFT 5225 - Writer’s Workshop: Playwriting [3]
• TVFT 5226 - Writer’s Workshop: Pilot [3]
• TVFT 5227 - Feature Writing [3]
• TVFT 5230 - Interactive Storytelling and Introduction to Games [3]
• TVFT 5121 - TV Spec Writing: Sitcom [3]
• TVFT 5222 - TV Spec: Drama [3]

Writing Electives (3 units)

Electives should be chosen in consultation with an advisor from available 4000 or 5000-level courses.

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Poet David Biespiel takes students on an exploration of happiness

SWLF Student publishes in the Oregon Stater Magazine

SWLF Student Lucinda Boyle publishes "Wolf Tales: A student perspective on a week's journey through Yellowstone National Park" in the Oregon Slater Magazine

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Author and botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer will receive the 2024 Stone Award at PRAx on May 17

SWLF Celebrates!

The School of Writing, Literature, and Film celebrates our graduating students and 2023 scholarship and award recipients.

Welcome to the School of Writing, Literature and Film!

The School of Writing, Literature and Film is the privileged place at Oregon State University for students, scholars, creative writers, and rhetoricians to gather together to discuss, critique, love, and celebrate the English language in all its diverse forms. We offer a number of degree programs, including undergraduate majors in English and Creative Writing and minors in English , Writing , Film , and Applied Journalism . We also host two fully-funded graduate programs: an MA in English and an MFA in Creative Writing .

These degrees testify to both the marvelous capaciousness of the English language and the enduring importance of learning its many modes and forms. It is a medium that can, after all, bring people together or push them apart. It is a platform that enables us to tell our stories--real or imagined--in poetry, prose, and film.  It is a communication system through which we share our worldviews and think through our most pressing local, national, and global problems. It is our bridge to older cultures, histories, stories, and traditions that challenge and inform the values of the present. Students therefore leave our programs not only with skills suitable for a variety of careers and professions but also, and as importantly, with a deeper knowledge of the many ways in which our language and culture give meaning to our lives. 

Look for these highlights on our website:

• Our English Letter , which tells current stories about the lives and achievements of our talented students and faculty
• Our Events page, which offers a glimpse into the many lectures, readings, and meetings that make Moreland Hall a vibrant community space
• Our Stone Award prize, which is one of the most substantial awards for literary achievement offered by any university in the country
• Our popular public outreach projects, including The Oregon State Guide to Literary Terms , The Oregon State Guide to Grammar , and the online Romeo and Juliet , which have been viewed by millions of students, teachers, and lovers of English language and literature around the world

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The School of Writing, Literature, and Film supports and welcomes all students, including those who represent historically and currently marginalized communities and identities. As an academic unit, we challenge injustice and recognize the importance of the lived experiences of race, economic background, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, ability, citizenship status, and religion. While we navigate past and present institutional discrimination, we continuously evolve and remain aware of future barriers that our students, faculty, and staff may face as sociopolitical climates change and legal rights of minoritized populations are threatened. As a community of learners, scholars, and writers, we strive to build welcoming classes and environments and embody equity in the work that we do while recognizing the role that systemic privilege plays in educational environments, creative endeavors, and academic scholarship.

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Lucy hale set for wayne kramer thriller ‘my one and only’; film bridge launching sales at cannes, breaking news.

LMU School Of Film & Television MFA Screenwriting Competition Reveals Inaugural Winners

By Valerie Complex

Valerie Complex

Associate Editor/Film Writer

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Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television honored the winners of its inaugural MFA Screenwriting Competition, a contest that engages industry leaders to evaluate the best work emerging from the student body.

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The MFA Screenwriting Competition highlights the best feature and pilot scripts written by second- and third-year graduate students from LMU’s Writing for the Screen and Writing and Producing for TV programs. It is one of numerous SFTV initiatives designed to provide students with access to the entertainment industry. Aligning with the university’s mission to promote inclusion, the competition bestows a Social Justice Award alongside honors for the year’s best comedies and dramas.

Dean Joanne Moore said, “To rise to the top of such a strong group of graduate students is a great achievement, and we are excited to have established this initiative to give these extremely talented writers the credit and exposure they deserve. This represents just one more way we are connecting our students with industry leaders to launch successful careers.”

“I am thrilled such high caliber Hollywood companies I have long admired participated as judges in championing emerging voices,” said Graduate Director of Writing for the Screen Weiko Lin, who launched the competition and mentors the students alongside Graduate Director of Writing and Producing for Television Michael F.X. Daley. 

Below is the full list of honorees.

Drama Feature Award

Winner: The Larson Episode by John Norton After exploiting a flaw in the 1980s edition of Press Your Luck, perennial loser Michael Larson becomes the biggest winner in game show history, only to find himself battling the CBS legal team as well as his personal demons to avoid losing everything.

Honorable Mention : Cyclic by Fenton Queens A performance artist uses a journal to travel back in time to stop her grandmother’s sexual assault, her mother’s, and her own, but may end up destroying the present in the process .

Honorable Mention : Speak Easy by Chris O. Lukens He was an alcoholic TV star until he was accused of a heinous crime. Now he’s a sober bottom-rung private eye scouring the gutters of Hollywood for a paycheck. When his daughter goes missing, the trail leads right back to the same corrupt Hollywood system that destroyed his life.

Comedy Feature Award

Winner : Cherry Drive by Noemie Boucher A scrappy 6th grader’s world comes crashing down after discovering that she’s moving away because her house is being foreclosed. But when a local fast food chain hosts a scavenger hunt across town with a big prize, she convinces her friends to embark on one last great adventure to save her house.

Winner : Necronomicops by Aaron Hluch LA, 1987. When a Satanic cult threatens to usher in Armageddon, a manchild hotshot supercop and his crotchety partner must dive, drive, and dare their way through their toughest case yet: protecting a feral 9-year-old girl destined to be the Antichrist.

Drama Pilot Award

Winner: Bloody Barcelona by Brett Cornwell  As Civil War tears through Spain, a gang of radicals last ditch effort to clear their debts threatens to tear Barcelona apart when instead of money, their haul is a young woman and her mysterious painting.

Honorable Mention: Rising Chief by Taylor C. McMullan Genocide forces a young Indian boy to become the Chief leading a rebel tribe of refugees and runaway slaves.

Comedy Pilot Award 

Winner : True Chicago Dream Life by Sarah Frasco  Emma, a normal human who dreams of having superhuman abilities like her roommates Pasta Girl and Cat Lady, struggles to adjust to adulthood while living her truest, dreamiest life.

Honorable Mention : unprofessional by Tia Kaiulani Kanaeholo An overworked and underpaid, 30-something tries to balance her career, relationships, and sobriety under the pressure of LA’s girl boss, ‘women can have everything’, hustle culture.

Social Justice Feature Award

Winner : Between Heaven and Hell by Marisa Martinez Rodenbaugh 1874. While being hunted down by her eldest brother she thought to be dead, a determined  Arapaho woman journeys across the plains to save her younger brother, a Dog Man warrior, before the law finds him.

Social Justice Pilot Award Winner: Rising Chief by Taylor C. McMullan Genocide forces a young Indian boy to become the Chief leading a rebel tribe of refugees and runaway slaves.

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What You Won’t Learn in an MFA

An mfa can teach you skills, but will it prepare you for a writing career.

By 2018, I had written five books and decided to pursue an MFA in creative writing with a concentration in fiction. For me, earning an MFA gave me the time and space I needed to quit my day job and transition to writing full-time, but that was something I had been building toward for over a decade. Of course, I can’t speak to all MFA programs, but in many cases, they focus almost exclusively on writing skills and don’t give writers the concrete skills they need to make money writing and publishing. I often found myself answering questions for my classmates about what publishing was really like. It simply wasn’t being taught, sometimes because faculty themselves were struggling with how to navigate writing as a business.

An MFA program may be the right choice to help you become a better writer, or because you want the qualification to teach writing at a college; it may not give you insights into navigating the publishing landscape.

Here are some of the professional development skills you may need to gain outside of the classroom on your writing journey.

Getting published

Many MFA programs don’t talk to authors about the good, the bad, and the ugly in both traditional publishing and self-publishing. There is often an assumption that if you’re in an MFA program, you’ll be seeking a traditional publishing deal. But most programs also don’t teach writers the skills to query small presses or agents who can query large presses. Even as self-publishing has become an increasingly popular publishing choice, many MFA programs aren’t giving students a clear picture of what it involves.

Contracting

My MFA program was great, but never once during my studies did I hear anyone talk about how to read, negotiate, or understand a contract. As an indie author, you’ll have fewer contracts to interact with than authors who choose to traditionally publish their work, but contracts will still come up—contracts with designers who are working on your books, contracts with podcasts or magazines publishing excerpts of your work. In my MFA program, students who were publishing were left to talk with each other to try to understand how contracts work. Most writers aren’t legal experts, and we benefit from having either a private attorney or an attorney through an organization such as the Author’s Guild review our contracts. I would love to see MFA programs better prepare writers to navigate these business interactions, to negotiate writing rates, and to understand what rights we may be signing away with a particular contract.

Writing to market

The culture of MFA programs often shames or diminishes the idea of writing to market, and instead prioritizes creating literary art for the sake of art. This is a completely valid way to approach your writing life. However, if your goal is to publish your work and sell books, understanding the market and how to write books that appeal to readers is important. There’s nothing wrong with writing books with mass-market appeal, but, depending on the program you attend, you may not hear that in classes. Especially for writers considering the self-publishing route, learning how to understand current trends and how to write books that connect to them is invaluable.

Writing is your passion, and seeing your name in print might be your dream, but when it happens, your writing also becomes a business. Understanding how to manage a writing business is something that most new writers won’t have a lot of experience with. For example, when you get paid from book sales, speaking arrangements, or most anything to do with your books, taxes aren’t going to be withheld. Instead, you’ll need to put money aside to pay your taxes. MFA programs generally don’t cover these details or highlight the importance of hiring an accountant or tax professional to help you with setting up your writing business. You may need to form an LLC for your self-publishing business, open a business bank account, and file taxes appropriately for your writing work. As a self-published author, you also may need to keep records tracking orders and inventory.

Most authors are not able to make a living from books alone. Many writers are balancing a variety of different content creation and income streams. This may include teaching at a college or university (for which a terminal degree such as an MFA is required), freelance writing, and independent teaching, to name a few possibilities. The more writing programs can give MFA students the tools they need to understand the business side of their work, the more successful they will be.

Sassafras Lowrey writes fiction and nonfiction and was the recipient of the 2013 Lambda Literary Award for emerging LGBTQ writers.

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With a world class faculty and up-to-date production facilities, Hunter College’s Department of Film & Media Studies offers two undergraduate programs of study and an MFA degree in Integrated Media Arts. [more...]

Journalism student Andrew Balaban wins the 2024 Pulitzer Reporting Fellowship

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Please Email or use Navigate to schedule meeting : Prof. Joel Zuker HN528 (Film) via email / Zoom [email protected]

Prof. Fran Alswang HN430 (Film, Doc/TV, General Media, Emerging Media, Analysis+Crit) by appt. via Navigate / email [email protected] M 4-5:30PM (in person/virtual) W 12-1PM & 5-6PM (virtual)

Prof. Kimberly Buikema (Film & Media Studies) by appt. via Navigate / email [email protected] Tu 5-6:30PM (virtual) Th 10AM-12PM (virtual)

Prof. Sissel McCarthy HN525 (Journalism advising only) via email [email protected] M 11:30AM-1:30PM & by appt.

Prof. David Pavlosky HN433 & HN501B ( Internships ) via email [email protected] F 11:30AM-1:30PM & by appt.

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Final application deadline for Film and TV Writing for Fall 2024: 5/30/2024. For tips on applying, write  [email protected] .

Application deadline.

New admissions for Fall 2024 have begun. Priority Deadline is March 1, 2024. 

Current tuition is $471/credit for New York State residents and $963 /credit for non-residents. A New York resident who takes a full-time load of four courses for 12 credits would pay $8,596.00 for the semester, exclusive of fees and health insurance.  The current billing rates can be found  here . 

The cost compares favorably to any number of film programs charging twice or three times as much, upward of $50,000 for a single year at some institutions. At ours, the whole MFA degree costs approximately $40,000 for New Yorkers. Unless you are getting a full tuition waiver somewhere, our rates are pretty hard to beat.

Out-of-state residents pay more, so if you are accepted to the program, you should consider establishing residency  in New York State, a process that takes one year. If you're out of state or international, the whole degree is approximately $50,000.

Admission Requirements

This MFA program is intensive, and admission to it is highly selective.  Upon review, finalists may be invited for an on-campus interview. 

Please use Stony Brook Graduate School's Online Application .

You must create an account to start a new application. You can also log in to continue an application after an account has been created.

For admission, the following, in addition to the minimum Graduate School requirements, are required:

1.  A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

2.  Undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0.

3.  Three letters of recommendation.

4. A current resume

5.   A statement of purpose . Describe in a page or two why you are interested in this opportunity, how you would benefit, and what makes you a particularly deserving candidate. Upload this to the Additional Supplemental Materials, personal statement section of the application.

6. Your specialization : Screenwriter/ Television Writer/Director/Producer/Independent Track. (Add this to the bottom of your personal statement.)

Your specialization:   Film or TV Writing MFA.  If Film, specify Screenwriter, Director, Producer or Independent Track.

7. Video Pitch. (Go to Portfolio Instructions and upload Video Pitch to the Digital Portfolio section of the application.)

• All candidates: This is one of the more important elements to your application. You have probably seen people pitching for donations on a crowdsourcing site. In this case, you should pitch us yourself as a candidate. You can mention a project you want to work on, or something  else that is exciting to you but we are interested in who you are as a creative artist/storyteller . The video pitch should be creative, polished, inventive. We want you to win us over here! SUGGESTED LENGTH: 3 MINUTES

8. Directing and Producing Video Samples. (URLs for all video links may be uploaded in the Qualifications section.)

• Directing candidates only (not required for Screenwriting, Television Writing, or Producing candidates): Please include a link (or links) to up to 4 video samples of work to which you made a significant contribution. Be clear about what role you played: producer, writer, director, editor, production designer, cinematographer, etc. You may submit links for more than one piece but the total running time should not exceed 15 minutes. If you submit an excerpt, please describe the full work. Unless you are applying as a cinematographer or production designer, the entirety of your video sample should not be in the format of a professional reel but should also show us the substance of your work. (A reel might accompany another sample). In lieu of video, you may submit up to ten photographs, design samples, or photographs of your artwork.

9. Written materials: (All written materials may be uploaded in the Additional Supplemental Materials section)

Your written material should include:

a. All Candidates: The Scene. Write a short, 2-3-page scene inspired by one of these words that have no English language translation. We prefer a scene with two characters where one character wants something from the other, and that you do NOT explicitly use the word you have chosen .

• Glas wen (Welsh) - A smile that is insincere or mocking. Literally, a blue smile.
• Yuputka (Ulwa) - The phantom sensation of something crawling on your skin.
• Iktsuarpok (Inuit) - You know that feeling of anticipation when you’re waiting for someone to show up at your house and you keep going outside to see if they’re there yet? This is the word for it.

b. All Candidates: The Logline. Write an extended log line or a paragraph describing a project you’d like to realize with us. Attach this logline to the bottom of your scene.

c. Screenwriting, Television Writing, and Directing Candidates: The Writing Sample. Please include a writing sample of up to 10 pages. This can be a complete short film, web episode, play, short story, or an excerpt of a feature screenplay, a television script, a webisode, a sketch or series of sketches.  If you choose to submit an excerpt, please include a few lines describing the full work. 

d. Producing Candidates: The Writing Sample. Please include a writing sample of up to 10 pages, including, critiques, production program notes, and/or literary criticism of a chosen screenplay, excerpts of a film or screenplay you have written, acquired or produced; or a brief statement describing your view of the role of Producing in today’s platform agnostic film industry.

10. Proficiencies. Directing Candidates Only

Please include a list of technical proficiencies in:  camera, lighting, editing, and any related skills at the bottom of your statement of purpose.

UPON ACCEPTANCE BY THE MFA PROGRAM IN FILM

If a student accepted into the M.F.A. program wishes to offer, either for credit toward the degree or for exemption from enrollment in courses required by Stony Brook, analogous courses taken at another university, transcripts and other supporting material must be presented for consideration by the graduate program director before the end of the student’s first semester in the program (see Transfer of Credit from Other Universities).

Robert  Sklar   Diversity  Fellowship In Fall 2024 , we will award a handful of full and partial Graduate and Teaching Assistantships to our incoming students, particularly to those students who can contribute to the diversity of Stony Brook. All applications for full-time study in the Fall term are considered, provided that the application is submitted by December 15, 2023 . These GA/TA awards are extremely competitive.

A full TA/GA offer comes with an academic-year stipend of approximately $23,100, a 15-20 hour/week workload, full tuition waiver and subsidized health insurance. A partial TA/GA offer comes with a 50% tuition remission scholarship, and an academic-year stipend of approximately $11,550, as well as subsidized health insurance and an 8-10 hour/week workload. A 25% GA offer comes with a 25% tuition remission scholarship and an academic-year stipend of approximately $5,775, subsidized health insurance, and a 5-6 hour/week workload. Students in good standing could expect to have their funding renewed for their second year, when they teach film and screenwriting courses to Stony Brook undergraduates.

Recipients of funding offers who can contribute to the diversity of Stony Brook may be additionally eligible for the  Turner Fellowship . Those with outstanding academic promise may be eligible for the  Graduate Council Fellowship . These fellowships award an additional $30,000 over the course of three years to their recipients, along with tuition waiver and stipend.

GRE - Even though the application will ask for it, you do not need GRE scores. In the program drop-down menu, please choose MFA in FILM, and indicate whether you are applying as a part-time or full-time student. 

If a recommender does not want to submit a letter online or doesn’t use email, you may print out a blank recommendation form for him or her to fill out and mail directly to the program.

Electronic official transcripts from any undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended should be sent to the Office of Graduate and Health Sciences Admissions, at  [email protected] . 

or snail-mailed directly to the graduate school:

Stony Brook University Graduate School Office of Admissions and Student Services Old Computer Science Bldg, Room 2401 Stony Brook, NY 11794-4433

For questions, please call Margaret Grigonis at (631) 632-5028

Qualified graduate students without TA/GA funding are encouraged and, in their second year, eligible to apply for teaching artist and administrative jobs as they arise. 

To favor one incoming student over another, by awarding assistantships or prizes, runs counter to our philosophy that we are all in this together, faculty and students alike, struggling with the extraordinarily difficult work of putting words together. If you earn admission to our program, with funding or without, we guarantee that you will be treated with the same respect as any other member of our community.

Then there's your own resourcefulness in defraying the costs of graduate study. Applicants are encouraged to explore opportunities for external funding independent of our program's limited resources. For more information on other types of financial aid, contact the  Office of Student Financial Aid Services  at (631) 632-6840 .  

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For More Information

The fine print about transfer credits, international students, and other admissions arcana is revealed in the  Graduate Bulletin .

Or contact us:

MFA Programs in Film & TV Writing Stony Brook Manhattan Center for Creative Writing & Film  535 Eighth Ave 4th & 5th Floors New York, NY 10018 Phone: ‭(646) 472-2025‬ Fax: (646) 472-2090‬ E-mail:   [email protected]