The American Film Institute believes in the power of diverse voices to drive culture forward.
We strive to cultivate and sustain an inclusive environment at AFI that actively affirms and, is respectful of, the identities of all people, across genders, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds and ideological perspectives – and one where self-reflection, honesty and accountability are practiced.
At AFI, we are responsible for the community we build and the stories we tell.
A Training Ground for Trailblazers
At the AFI Conservatory we believe in filmmaking first. Filmmakers come to AFI because they are guaranteed to make movies, and to master not only the tools, but also the art of storytelling. AFI isn’t like any other film school. Think of us like the most prolific content creators in Hollywood. Fellows collectively create up to 175 films a year across six disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting.
Led by Hollywood icon James L. Brooks as Artistic Director, AFI Conservatory faculty are working filmmakers who bring decades of award-winning experience as real-world, professionals and transformative leaders in their field.
The AFI Conservatory program is more than an academic experience in the art of moviemaking — it’s about connecting you with influential artists in the field, and with key players in the industry, to get your career off the ground right after graduation. Through a carefully curated series of programs and opportunities that happen year-round, you will have the best possible launchpad for success.
Scholarship Opportunities
AFI offers scholarships to help incoming and current Fellows pay for their education. Scholarships are based on merit and financial need. Several scholarships are available for Fellows from underrepresented communities, specific nationalities and Conservatory disciplines.
After their training, AFI filmmakers go on to make enormous cultural impact that resonates and endures far beyond the halls of the Conservatory.
Academy Awards®
14
Nominations
2
Wins
Emmy Awards®
81
Nominations
11
Wins
Golden Globes
21
Nominations
4
Wins
Major Festivals
317
Alumni on
204
Films
AFI DOCS, AFI FEST, Berlin, Cannes, London, New York,
Sundance, SXSW, Telluride, Toronto, Tribeca and Venice
Diversity at a Glance
The AFI Conservatory is committed to nurturing fresh perspectives from diverse voices.
“The AFI experience is transformational. This is a place where ideas of all sorts and all perspectives come to blossom. The relationships and the skills you foster here are the ones that will carry you throughout your entire career.”
–Joyce Liu-Countryman, AFI Producing Class of 2018
Of 252 Fellows currently enrolled at the AFI Conservatory:
AFI Alumni supporting their fellow AFI filmmakers and the future of the art form: click link in bio to learn about our newly-formed #AFIAlumni Council. #aficonservatory...
AFI and Audi are excited to announce that Giselle Bonilla (Directing Fellow, AFI Class of 2023) is the latest recipient of the @Audi Fellowship for Women scholarship. Read more at link in bio. #aficonservatory #driveprogress @locanilla...
We spy with our little eye, an #AFIMovieClub pick starring @MelissaMcCarthy, @JasonStatham, @FullyRoseByrne and Jude Law. Go to AFI.com/MovieClub to learn more about the action comedy #Spy, with set decoration by AFI alumna Kelly Berry. #AFIAlumniDay
On this #nationalsuperheroday, we’re celebrating AFI superhero @morganicink and this super news about her new comic book series. Can’t wait to read this in July. #AFIAlumni #notallsuperheroeswearcapes
What better way to end your week than with a film @entertainmentweekly calls “uplifting, “life-affirming” & “inspirational?” Go to AFI.com/MovieClub to learn more about #MyFamilyMiFamilia, produced & co-written by AFI Screenwriting head Anna Thomas. #AFIMovieClub #AFIConservatory
We’re wearing #BlueVelvet today. Go to AFI.com/MovieClub to learn more about this mystery/thriller, directed by the one and only David Lynch. #AFIAlumniDay #AFIMovieClub #frederickelmes @davidlynchfoundation
@Tribeca’s back, and we’re very excited that so many AFI Alumni will be part of their main lineup in June. #afialumni #aficonservatory #Tribeca2021
Catch The Fair One
🎥 @darrenaronofsky, Executive producer
(AFI Class of 1992)
Queen Of Glory
🎥 Jessica Landaw, Editor
(AFI Class of 1999)
On The Divide
🎥 Diane Becker, Producer
(AFI Class of 2006)
🎥 Berenice Chavez, Editor
(AFI Class of 2016)
@thescarsofaliboulala
🎥 Mike Parry, Cinematographer
(AFI Class of 2003)
False Positive
🎥 Pawel Pogorzelski, Cinematographer
(AFI Class of 2010)
No Man Of God
🎥 @ambersealeyfilm, Director
(DWW Class of 2019)
Werewolves Within
🎥 @brettwbachman, Editor
(AFI Class of 2011)
🎥 S. Robyn Wilson, Assistant Editor
(AFI Class of 2012)
@thebetatestfilm
🎥 @aakashraj1, G&E Swing
(AFI Class of 2019)
🎥 @itshardtobeanissemand, Production Assistant
(AFI Class of 2019)
🎥 @spender_wardell, Production Assistant
(AFI Class of 2019)
@thejusticeofbunnyking
🎥 @chegone, 2nd Unit DOP
(AFI Class of 2016)
Asia
🎥 @daniella_nowitz, Cinematographer
(AFI Class of 2014)
Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road
🎥 @maxschmige_dp, Cinematographer
(AFI Class of 2010)
Clean
🎥 @zoran_popovic, Cinematographer
(AFI Class of 1998)
🎥 @arndtwulf, Editor
(AFI Class of 2010)
🎥 Noah Cody, Assistant Editor
(AFI Class of 2014)
Kiss The Ground
🎥 @benensonbill, Producer
(AFI Class of 1974)
Lorelei
🎥 @sabrinadoylefilm, Writer/Director
(AFI Class of 2012)
🎥 @stephenmpaar, Cinematographer
(AFI Class of 2012)
🎥 @mccarole, Camera Operator
(AFI Class of 2012)
🎥 @manylesions, Editor
(AFI Class of 2013)
🎥 Scott Ray, Gaffer
(AFI Class of 2016)
@marvelousblackhole
🎥 @sungji715, Production Designer
(AFI Class of 2013)
🎥 Zekun 'Zoe' Mao, Assistant Editor
(AFI Class of 2017)
🎥 @cyndilt Editor
(AFI Class of 2013)
🎥 @elenacozlovschi, Set Decorator
(AFI Class of 2013)
Television Event
🎥 @nickhigginz, Cinematographer
(AFI Class of 2002)
This is Paris
🎥 @anneetheridge, Additional Dir. Of Photography
(AFI Class of 2003)
Through The Night
🎥 @naushero Cinematographer
(AFI Class of 2008)...
We’re proud to be an education partner in this important program amplifying underrepresented voices, and also very thrilled that Hao Zheng’s (AFI Class of 2018) film will debut later this month as part of this collection of new shorts. Watch trailer at link in bio. #representationmatter #afialumni @dragonisafish @launchpadshorts
AFI Editing faculty are a cut above the rest, so we’re not surprised faculty member @mattfriedman.editor took home one of the top prizes at this weekend’s #ACEEddiesAwards. 🎉🎉 🎉 #AFIConservatory #AFIFamily
AFI Alum Roberta Grossman is the perfect filmmaker to help lead this great new organization. We can’t wait to see all of the important work they do. #afialumni #aficonservatory
AFI alum Jacqueline Hoyt writing a TV series about one of the greatest actresses of all time? We can’t wait. #afialumni #aficonservatory #audreyhepburn
Ryan Gosling. Neon. Charlie Kaufman. AFI alum Duke Johnson sure knows the right way to pull off a solo feature directing debut. #AFIAlumni #AFIConservatory
#AFIAlumni did it again. The #ADGAwards has honored the best in production design and we’re proud that our alums worked to bring the imaginative worlds of winners #Tenet and #Mank to the big screen. #AFIConservatory #productiondesign
🏆 @tenetfilm: Best Fantasy Feature Film
🎥 @a.p.ness (AFI Class of 2016), Assistant Art Director
🎥 @berto_aguirre (AFI Class of 2018), Assistant Art Director
🎥 Kil Won Yu (AFI Class of 2010), Set Designer
🏆 @Mank: Best Period Feature Film
🎥 @danielamedeiros_ (AFI Class of 2015), Digital Set Designer...
What better way to close out the weekend than by celebrating three major #DGAAwards wins from these talented #AFIALumni? #AFIConservatory @directorsguild
🏆 Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Movies for Television and Limited Series
#ScottFrank
@the.queensgambitnetflix
🏆Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Dramatic Series
@lesliLinka
@sho_homeland, “Prisoners of War”
🏆Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Commercials
@msmelina
You Love Me, @beatsbydre...
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“The AFI experience is transformational. This is a place where ideas of all sorts and all perspectives come to blossom. The relationships and the skills you foster here are the ones that will carry you throughout your entire career.”
–Joyce Liu-Countryman, AFI Producing Class of 2018