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American Film Institute: Rankings, Popular Courses, Fees
Last updated on 1 Mar '26American Film InstituteWhat's new?
- The applications for American Film Institute are open. Students can apply till May 1, 2026
About American Film Institute
Founded in 1967, American Film Institute (AFI) is a non-profit organization in Los Angeles, California, USA. It offers MFA course in 6 specializations. Its graduate-level film school, AFI Conservatory is an acclaimed school. This institute enrolls students in all the six disciplines. In terms of the admission selectivity, American Film University acceptance rate is 1%. The institute is very selective. Thousands of applicants apply to AFI each year and enrollment is around 144 fellows per class. Students at AFI hail from majority of the states in the U.S. and 40+ countries.
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American Film Institute Information
American Film Institute is supported by private funding and public membership fees. Being a non-profit Arts organization, AFI relies on the generous financial support from film enthusiasts. The alumni of AFI Conservatory include names like David Lynch, Sussanah Grant, Rachel Morrison, Deniese Davis, Terrence Malick, Patty Jenkins, etc.
|
Particulars |
Stats |
|---|---|
|
Founded |
1967 |
|
AFI acceptance rate |
Around 1% |
|
Location |
LA, California, USA |
|
Fellow-to-faculty ratio |
6:1 |
|
Courses offered |
MFA |
|
Academic disciplines |
Six |
|
Notable Alumni |
Rachel Morrison, Scott Frank, David Lynch |
History
American Film Institute was founded in 1967 as a National Arts Organization. But, the history of AFI goes back to 1965. The institute's first class included David Lynch, Terrence Malick, and Paul Schrader. In 1969, AFI established the AFI Conservatory. Then, in 1981, AFI moved to its current 8-acre Hollywood campus.
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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.
As per the unofficial sources, American Film Institute is very competitive as its acceptance rate ranges between 1% - 25%. So, to get admission to this institute, the applicants are required to have a strong and exceptional academic record. To get into this institute, the applicants must have a Bachelor's degree as only PG courses are offered. Furthermore, the course-wise specific requirements must have to be met.
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 famous school 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. Also, 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 MFA course. The duration of this MFA course is 2 years. Specializations of MFA course include Cinematography, Producing, Screenwriting, Direction, Production Design and Editing.
AFI Popular Courses
The popular courses of American Film Institute for MFA include Cinematography and Directing. Both the courses can be completed in two years.
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
AFI offers MFA course in 6 disciplines. These are Directing, Editing, Producing, Cinematography, Screenwriting, and Production Design. No UG courses are offered by American Film Institute. Indian students planning to apply for AFI MFA course 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.
Below-given are the courses studied by the alumni of American Film Institute:
- 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 Admissions
The applicants of MFA program at AFI are required to submit the online application. The institute uses the GradCAS application system. To complete American Film Institute admission process, an application fee has to be paid too which is USD 110 per application (Around INR 9,800).
AFI Application Deadlines
The application and portfolio for AFI MFA course should be submitted by the following date:
| Particulars | Application Deadlines 2026 |
|---|---|
| Online application and portfolio | Dec 1, 2025 |
AFI Eligibility for Indian Students
General entry requirements for Indian students applying to American Film Institute are given below:
- A Bachelor's degree
- Narrative statement
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Certificate of completion of an UG degree
- Evidence of English language proficiency score
Postgraduate Admission Requirements
Indian students thinking to apply to AFI should have a Bachelor's degree. General documents required to apply to MFA course are given above. A few discipline-specific documents may also be required. International students can submit IELTS score of 7.0 / TOEFL score of 100 / Duolingo score of 130. An interview also takes place after the completion of application process.
- Application fees :No Fees
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
The entry requirements to get into the American Film Institute (AFI) varies as per the courses. An UG degree is required to get AFI MFA course. 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.
Indian applicants thinking to apply to AFI MFA course must submit the following:
- Online application with an application fee of USD 100 (Around INR 8,800)
- Narrative statement
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Academic transcripts
- Certificate of completion
- AFI Scholarship application
- English language proficiency score
American Film InstituteAmerican Film Institute Scholarships
Indian students are eligible for scholarships by AFI. The scholarships are offered to first-year students and then, they get renewed in the second year, provided they maintain the academic performance.
| Scholarship Type | Amount | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Merit-based + Financial need | USD 5,000 (Around INR 4.4 L) | PG |
Process to Get AFI Scholarship
- The scholarships for American Film Institute are students who are invited for admission (those who have cleared the interview round).
- An invitation to fill out the scholarship form will be emailed directly to AFI students
- The notification of the scholarship awards is sent out no more than two weeks after an admission decision has been made
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 is a need-blind institute. A limited number of scholarships are offered by this institute. Overall, the scholarships awarded to students are based on the merit and need. The scholarships applications are for the invite-only students who have reached the interview round.
American Film Institute Fees
For the PG courses, American Film Institute tuition fee is around INR 62 - 69 lakh. For 2026-27 the institute has listed the fees as USD 75,508 (Around INR 69.4 lakh). Students can check the course-wise AFI tuition fees and entry requirements from the table given below:
Cost of Living
The total AFI cost is around USD 108,680 (Around INR 99 lakh). Given below is the cost of living for American Film Institute students:
|
Particulars |
Expenses for 2026-27 |
|---|---|
|
Living Expenses |
USD 19,750 (Around INR 18.16 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:
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MFA(6 courses) | INR 62 L - 63 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, Duolingo: 130 & Above |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Around INR 61 lakh is the tuition fee for American Film Institute. The tuition fee is USD 72,954 and for 2026-27, it is USD 75,508. Overall cost to study at this institute is around USD 106,126. Living expenses of around USD 19,750 (Around INR 17.6 lakh) is also included in the total cost.
Here is the one-year tuition fee for AFI PG courses:
Course level | Fees |
|---|---|
PG | INR 62 L - INR 69 L |
Cost of Living
Particulars | Fees |
|---|---|
Living Expenses | USD 19,750 |
Supplies Allowance | USD 4,500 (Around INR 4 lakh) |
Transportation Allowance | USD 2,700 (Around INR 2.3 lakh) |
Health Insurance | USD 4,250 (Around INR 3.7 lakh) |
Personal Expenses / Loan Fees / Misc. | USD 6,222 (Around INR 5.4 lakh) |
Indian students have to pay the living expenses, transportation, and other expenses too during American Film Institute studies. These are given as follows:
| Particulars | Expenses |
|---|---|
| Living expenses | USD 19,750 |
| Supplies allowance | USD 4,500 |
| Transportation allowance | USD 2,700 |
| Personal expenses / Misc. | USD 6,222 |
American Film Institute Notable Alumni
Popular celebrities who have studied at American Film Institute are David Lynch, Charlie McDowell, Ari Aster, Paul Schrader, Patty Jenkins, Edward Zwick, Todd Field, Jack Fisk, etc. Designations of these alumni are 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 |
Here are some of the benefits available to the alumni of American Film Institute:
- Alumni receive the monthly e-newsletter, invitations and special offers to exclusive alumni events
- Given opportunities to join and participate in groups and seminars
- AFI alumni receive access the institute's backlot. AFI Backlot is an online resource for personal and professional networking
- AFI alumni receive advance notice for tickets to galas and screenings for AFI Fest
College comparison
Compare American Film Institute with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 62.08 L - 63.07 L | -/- | |
| INR 14.85 L - 24.56 L | #50 THE, 2026 | |
| INR 22.96 L - 55.04 L | #102 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 58.76 L - 67.54 L | #15 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 29.8 L - 56.79 L | -/- | |
| INR 27.72 L | #102 US News, 2026 |
CompareAmerican Film InstituteStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
American Film Institute Campus
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. AFI Docs is held annually in June and it is a documentary festival in Washington, D.C. and attracts over 27,000 documentary enthusiasts. Know more about the institute from AFI gallery.
Campus Location
Campus of American Film Institute is located in Los Angeles, USA. It is easily accessible from the Los Angeles International Airport and Burbank Airport. Campus size is 8 acres.
Campus Life
- Many events are conducted by AFI. AFI Fest 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.
- No housing is provided by AFI Conservatory but the institute offers resources to help finding
Commonly asked questions On Others
AFI does not offer housing to students. So, students can find housing in LA in the areas like West Hollywood and Silver Lake. Main campus of this institute is located in the hills overlooking Los Angeles, USA. Los Angeles International Airport and Burbank Airport are near to the campus of AFI.
American Film Institute is in the Hollywood hills, overlooking LA. The campus of this institute is easily accessible from i-5, the Burbank Airport, and the Los Angeles International Airport. The address of the AFI campus is 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles.
American Film Institute FAQs
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.
American Film Institute
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American Film InstituteTake a look at Campus
Building
Campus Building
Building
Campus ViewAmerican Film InstituteLocation
| University City | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Size of city | Large |
| Population of City | 39,99,759 |
American Film InstituteContact Information
2021 North Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027-1657
Los Angeles ( California)
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