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Last updated on 8 Oct '25American Film InstituteWhat's new?
The application portal for AFI will open from Sep 5, 2025 for Fall 2026 applicants.
About American Film Institute
American Film Institute was founded in 1967. Located in filmmaking capital of the world, Los Angeles, AFI offers an MFA program in 6 disciplines. AFI is a non-profit organization with a mandate to champion the moving image as an art form. The institute does not offer any Undergraduate program. AFI enrolls international students from more than 29 countries and they comprise 40% of the institute’s student body. Also Check- Study in USA
The class size at the institute is small with an average of 6:1 fellow to faculty ratio.This university is ranked #1 Film School by Hollywood Reporter in 2023 in US. Alumni of AFI are Brad Falchuk, Rachel Morrison, Scott Frank, etc.
AFI Conservatory focuses on hands-on collaborative learning in focused environment. Some of the key aspects for Indian students are given below-
- MFA Program: At the graduate level, AFI offers six-specialized MFA programs. Check details about MFA in USA
- International student focus: AFI Conservatory enrolls international students in all six disciplines of the MFA program. Students hail from more than 29 countries and they comprise more than 40% of the Conservatory’s student body
- Hands-on experience: AFI focuses on practical learning through collaborative projects and interaction with industry professionals
- Tuition Fees: The first-year tuition fee of MFA program at AFI is USD 72,954 (Around INR 64 lakh) with additional living expenses
- Admission requirements: International students are required to meet all the entry requirements of AFI. An English language proficiency test and other documents are also required to apply.
- Scholarships and financial aid: AFI offers scholarships on the basis of the merit and financial aid. The scholarship amount vary and may partially cover the tuition and fees.
History
AFI was founded in 1967 as a National Arts organization to train world-class filmmakers and preserve the film heritage of America. However, the roots of the institute go back to 1965. The first class of the institute included David Lynch, Terrence Malick, and Paul Schrader. In 1969, AFI established the AFI Conservatory.
In 1973, the first restoration was started by the institute. The American Film Institute was the first group for the government to recognize cinema as an art form when AFI was formed back in the White House Rose Garden. Then, in 1974, the AFI Directing Workshop for Women was founded. In 1987, AFI held the first AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival in Hollywood. Then, in 2000, the institute hosted the first AFI Awards, celebrating the year’s most outstanding films and TV series and the creative ensembles behind them. Then, in 2020, the institute launched AFI Movie Club.
Things to Know about AFI
Some of the facts about American Film Institute are given as follows:
|
Particulars |
Stats |
|---|---|
|
Acceptance Rate |
Between 1% - 25% |
|
Annual tuition fees |
Between INR 60 L - INR 63 L |
|
Fellow-to-faculty ratio |
6:1 |
|
Courses offered |
MFA |
|
Academic disciplines |
Six |
|
Alumni |
Rachel Morrison, Scott Frank, David Lynch |
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
American Film Institute receives thousands of applications every year. The enrollment at the university is 144 per class. The class is comprised of a successful mix of Directors, Editors, Cinematographers, Producers, Screenwriters, and Production Designers. As per the unofficial sources, the acceptance rate is between 1% - 25%, indicating that the institute is very competitive at the time of admission.
American Film Institute fellows are not traditional film school students. On average, they are in their late 20s and mid-30s, when they start training at AFI. In other words, they have lived and worked as Scientists, Composers, Army Captains, Journalists, Stand-Up comics, and more. International student population is 40% of the institute's student body. The institute offers only MFA programme in six academic disciplines.
AFI is a top-ranked school located in Los Angeles. The MFA program at AFI Conservatory is more than an academic experience in the art of movie-making. The course will help you connect with the influential artists in the field. AFI has been consistently ranked at #1 film school in the U.S. by the Hollywood Reporter. Additionally, the faculty at the institute comprises working professionals, and AFI maintains strong ties with Hollywood, providing students with networking opportunities and access to many industry leaders.
American Film Institute Courses
The American Film Institute offers 6 courses at PG level. For graduate studies, the courses available include MFA. Graduate program duration is 2 years depending on the field. American Film Institute specialisations of MFA course include Cinematography, Producing, Screenwriting, Direction, Production Design and Editing. The university believes in providing a focused environment and emphasizes each student via small classes. The university offers excellent academic experience, combining theoretical knowledge with real-world experience.
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
American Film Institute offers MFA courses. This course is offered in 6 disciplines namely Directing, Editing, Producing, Cinematography, Screenwriting, and Production Design. This institute does not offer any UG courses. To apply for these courses, the applicants are required to submit the application materials such as resume, letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, etc.
The MFA course at American Film Institute is of 2 years duration. This course teaches filmmakers how to work with actors, analyze scripts, develop a unique point of view and visual design for each project, etc. This institute's Directing students are known as Directing Fellows. They direct three narrative films in their first year and a thesis film in the second year. Some of the projects of this institute's Directing alumni are The Whale, Watcher, We Were Meant to, Raymond & Ray, etc.
Some of the courses studied by the alumni of the American Film Institute are:
- Film / Cinema / Video Studies
- Directing and Theatrical Production
- Journalism
- Playwriting and Screenwriting
- Radio and TV
- Mass Communication / Media Studies
- English Language & Literature
American Film Institute Eligibility & Admission Requirements for Indian Students
To apply to AFI, the applicants are required to apply online via the university-specific application link. The applicants are also required to pay an application fee. A few sources claim that the American Film Institute acceptance rate is around 1%, whereas a few others claim that it is around 25%. This means that this institute is very competitive at the time of admission.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines for Fall semester 2025 for fields such as Editing, Directing, Producing and Screenwriting are closed. Applications for 2026 year opens in Sep 2025.
International Students' Admission Requirements
The admission requirements to American Film Institute vary depending on the course. International students are required to submit a UG degree completion report. They are also required to submit scores of IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo.
Application Fee
AFI application fee is USD 110 per application (Around INR 9,600).
Eligibility
Though the entry requirements to take admission to AFI depend on the course, here are some of the documents required to apply:
- Narrative statement
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Academic transcripts
- Certificate of completion of other equivalent UG degree
- Scholarship application
- English language proficiency score
- Application fees :No Fees
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
The entry requirements to get into the American Film Institute vary as per the courses. However, since this institute offers only PG courses, the applicants must have an Undergraduate degree. Here are the application materials required to apply:
- Narrative statement
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Academic transcripts
- Certificate of complete of other equivalent UG degree
- Scholarship application
- English language proficiency score
IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo scores are required by AFI. International applicants are required to submit the minimum scores in these tests. These minimum scores are listed below:
Tests | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | 7.0 |
TOEFL | 100 |
Duolingo | 130 |
Yes, there is an interview after submitting the application to American Film Institute. Only completed applications shall be reviewed by the Admissions Committee to determine if an applicant is invited to the interview. Note that the interviews for all disciplines take via Zoom. The review and interview process will determine acceptance.
American Film InstituteAmerican Film Institute Scholarships for International Students
American Film Institute offers scholarships to international applicants. The scholarship application must be submitted as per the specified date. The scholarships are offered to first-year students and then, they get renewed in the second year, provided satisfactory academic performance is maintained. These scholarships are open to international students too. The scholarship award amount varies and may partially cover the cost of tuition and fees. Here are some of the scholarships offered:
- The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Scholarship
- The Paul and Monica Bancroft Family Foundation Scholarship
- The Jane Stewart Endowed Scholarship
- Women in Film / Tichi-Wilkerson Kassel Endowed Scholarship
Also, there are other U.S. based private education loans that AFI students can avail.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
AFI international applicants should submit the scholarship application as per the specified date in order to take admission. Furthermore, they must submit the admission application on time. The scholarships are offered to first-year students and then, they get renewed in the second year, provided satisfactory academic performance is maintained. Furthermore, there are other U.S. based private education loans that AFI students can avail. Additionally, private scholarship for funding opportunities may be available in students' home country or from private organizations.
International students can apply for AFI scholarships. The application for AFI Conservatory scholarship as per the institute's specified deadline. The notification of scholarship awards is sent out after an admission decision has been made. Late applications are not considered. The scholarships are renewable in the second year for those who remain in good academic standing with the Conservatory.
American Film Institute Placements
The alumni of AFI are skilled in Film Production, Video Production, Screenwriting, Editing, etc. A few of the organizations where these graduates work are Netflix, New York Film Academy, Motion Picture Industry, etc.
Alumni Statistics: Sectors Placed
A few of the industries where the graduates of AFI work are Media and Communication, Art and Design, Operations, Business Development, Marketing, Community and Social Services, etc.
Top Employers
Some of the top employers of AFI alumni are Netflix, New York Film Academy, Motion Picture Industry, Apple, CBS, Warner Bros. Discovery, etc.
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Some of the top employers of AFI alumni are:
- Netflix
- New York Film Academy
- Motion Picture Industry
- Apple
- CBS
- Warner Bros. Discovery
American Film Institute Tuition & Total Cost Breakdown
American Film Institute fees for international students for an MFA course for one year can be around INR 60 lakh. For 2025-26, the institute has listed the fees as USD 72,954 (Around INR 63.6 lakh). Apart from the tuition fee, the students are required to pay the living and other expenses. These will be as follows:
|
Particulars |
Fees |
|---|---|
|
Living Expenses |
USD 15,500 (INR 13.5 lakh) |
|
Supplies Allowance |
USD 4,500 (INR 4 lakh) |
|
Transportation Allowance |
USD 2,700 (INR 2.3 lakh) |
|
Health Insurance |
USD 4,250 (INR 3.7 lakh) |
|
Personal Expenses, Loan Fees, Misc. |
USD 6,222 (INR 5.4 lakh) |
Also Check- American Film Institute Fees
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MFA(6 courses) | INR 61 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, Duolingo: 130 & Above |
American Film Institute Notable Alumni
A few of the alumni who have studied at AFI are David Lynch, Charlie McDowell, Ari Aster, Paul Schrader, Patty Jenkins, etc. The designation of these graduates is given below:
|
Particulars |
Designation |
Images |
|---|---|---|
|
David Lynch |
Filmmaker, Visual Artist, Actor & Musician |
 |
|
Paul Schrader |
Screenwriter, Film Director, Film Critic |
 |
|
Patty Jenkins |
Film Director, Screenwriter, Producer |
 |
|
Charlie McDowell |
Film Director & Screenwriter |
 |
|
Todd Field |
Filmmaker and Actor |
 |
|
Ari Aster |
Filmmaker |
 |
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
Personalities like Andrea Arnold, Ari Aster, Julie Dash, David Lynch, Scott Frank, etc. Here are some of the alumni of AFI:
Particulars | Designation |
|---|---|
David Lynch | Filmmaker, Visual Artist, Actor & Musician |
Paul Schrader | Screenwriter, Film Director, Film Critic |
Patty Jenkins | Film Director, Screenwriter, Producer |
Charlie McDowell | Film Director & Screenwriter |
Todd Field | Filmmaker and Actor |
Ari Aster | Filmmaker |
AFI Vs Conway School Vs The Los Angeles Film School - Which is Better?
The acceptance rate of the American Film Institute is between 1% - 25%. Whereas, the acceptance rate for the Los Angeles Film School is around 100% and the acceptance rate for Conway School is around 57%. This shows that AFI is the most competitive of all three schools or institutes listed here. A comparison of these schools is given below:
|
Particulars |
AFI |
Conway School |
The Los Angeles Film School |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Acceptance Rate |
Between 1% - 25% |
Around 57%. |
Around 100% |
|
1st-Year Tuition Fees |
INR 59.59 L |
Around INR 30 L |
Around INR 19 L - 29 L |
|
No. of courses offered |
1 – in six disciplines |
1 |
10 |
Compare American Film Institute with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 61.04 L | -/- | |
| INR 22.22 L - 53.27 L | #102 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 14.6 L - 24.15 L | #68 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 28.84 L - 54.96 L | -/- | |
| INR 31.94 L | -/- | |
| INR 17.66 L - 30.01 L | #222 US News, 2026 |
CompareCommonly asked questions On Comparisons
The decision to choose either of any of these schools is dependent on students. However, as per the acceptance rate, it can be observed that American Film Institute is very competitive. A comparison of these schools is given below:
Particulars | AFI | Conway School | The Los Angeles Film School |
|---|---|---|---|
Acceptance Rate | Between 1% - 25% | Around 57%. | Around 100% |
1st-Year Tuition Fees | INR 59.59 L | Around INR 30 L | ? 19 L - 29 L |
No. of courses offered | 1 – in six disciplines | 1 | 10 |
American Film InstituteStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
American Film Institute Campus
The AFI campus is located in the hills overlooking Los Angeles, USA. The campus is easily accessible from the Los Angeles International Airport and Burbank Airport. The campus size of this institute is 8 acres. AFI conducts many events throughout the year. This includes AFI Fest. This is the institute’s annual film festival that will feature a curated selection of Red Carpet Premiere Screenings, World Cinemas, Documentaries, Special Screenings and Short Films. There is a movie club as well at the institute.
AFI Film Festivals
American Film Institute operates two film festivals: AFI Fest in Los Angeles and AFI Docs. The American Film Institute Festival (AFI Fest) is the annual celebration of artistic excellence. It is basically a showcase for the best festival films of the year selected by AFI and also, an opportunity for master filmmakers and emerging artists to come together as audience. On the other hand, AFI Docs is held annually in June and it is a documentary festival in Washington, D.C. This festival attracts over 27,000 documentary enthusiasts. Know more about the institute from AFI gallery.
Commonly asked questions On Others
American Film Institute does not offer accommodation to students. So, students can find housing in LA in the areas like West Hollywood and Silver Lake. The campus of this institute is located in the hills overlooking Los Angeles, USA. The campus is easily accessible from the Los Angeles International Airport and Burbank Airport.
Yes, AFI accepts international students. Almost half of the student body at AFI consists of international fellows. Extra admission requirements for international students to take admission to this institute are submitting an English language proficiency score. A bachelor's degree must be completed to get admission to this institute.
How can I make AFI application stand out?
To make your AFI application stand out, particularly for MFA course, students are going to need a strong, clear vision as a filmmaker, original voice, and professional readiness. Here is how you can stand out with your application:
- Be specific and authentic in the personal statement: Students can tell their story, what unique perspective do they have, and more
- Craft the application to AFI values: AFI wants to nurture visionary artists, so, in that case, show a commitment to storytelling, grown in a creative environment, and willingness to contribute
- Submit exceptional work samples: Submit your most strong work yet, whether it is a short film, portfolio or script. Make sure in those samples, there is originality, emotional impact, and craftsmanship
- Submit strong letters of recommendation: For the letters of recommendation, choose people who really know their work ethic and vision
Commonly asked questions On Additional Details 1
American Film Institute Fellows are not traditional film school students. On average, their ages range between late-20s to mid-30s when they start their training at the institute. In other words, these students have lived and worked – as composers, scientists, Army captains, investigative journalists, stand-up comedians, and more. Because of this reason, AFI faculty approach these students as passionate and dedicated peers.
American Film Institute FAQs for Indian Students
Yes, AFI accepts international students. Almost half of the student body at AFI consists of international fellows. Extra admission requirements for international students to take admission to this institute are submitting an English language proficiency score. A bachelor's degree must be completed to get admission to this institute.
The completed applicants shall be reviewed by the Admissions Committee at AFI to determine if a student will be invited to participate in an interview. These interviews take place via Zoom. Because of the high application updates, the university does not provide application status updates. All decisions are communicated through email on the pre-determined notification dates. Note that the application materials are not returned to the applicant.
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