About American Film Institute
At the world-renowned AFI Conservatory, a dedicated group of working professionals from the film and television communities serve as mentors in a hands-on, production based environment nurturing the talents of tomorrow's storytellers. The Conservatory is consistently recognized as one of the world’s top film schools.
With an emphasis on narrative visual storytelling and personal expression, each class breaks into teams that mirror a real production environment. Those teams collaborate on and produce more films than any other graduate level film program.
Established in 1969, the two-year Master of Fine Arts program provides training in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. Admission to AFI Conservatory is highly selective, with a maximum of only 140 graduates per year.
Notable AFI Alumni
Terrence Malick, Director Days of Heaven, The New World, Tree Of Life
Matthew Libatique, Cinematographer A Star is Born, Black Swan, Requiem for a Dream
Janusz Kaminski, Cinematographer Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Minority Report
Darren Aronofsky, Director Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, The Wrestler
Liz Hannah, Producer The Post, Long Shot
David Lynch, Director Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive
Wally Pfister, Cinematographer Memento, The Dark Knight, Inception
Melina Matsoukas, Director Queen & Slim, Insecure, Beyoncé: Formation
Rachel Morrison, Cinematographer Fruitvale Station, Mudbound, Black Panther
Robert Elswit, Cinematographer Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, Michael Clayton
Steve Golin, Producer Babel, Spotlight, The Revenant
Patty Jenkins, Director Monster, Wonder Woman
Robert Richardson, Cinematographer Aviator, Inglorious Basterds, Hateful Eight
Paul Schrader, Director First Reformed, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull
Pieter Jan Brugge, Producer Heat, The Insider
Brad Falchuk, Screenwriter American Horror Story, Glee
Susannah Grant, Screenwriter Erin Brockovich, The Soloist
Sharon Seymour, Production Designer Argo, The Town, Bad Santa
Andrew Max Cahn, Production Designer The Hunger Games, The Hangover
Affonso Gonçalves, Editor Beasts of the Southern Wild, Carol
Christopher Gay, Editor 12 Monkeys, Mad Men