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 251 Fellows currently enrolled at the AFI Conservatory:
It’s hot outside, so why not stay indoors today and watch AFI alum Andrea Arnold’s #AmericanHoney, which @Variety calls “a movie that takes the temperature of youth culture in a way that no movie has in years.” Swipe through to learn more. #AFIMovieClub #AFIAlumniDay #AFIConservatory
AFI alum @oliviahangzhou keeps racking up the accolades. Earlier this year, she won a DGA Student Film Award for her AFI thesis film #ApartTogether, and is now a @Baftala Student Awards finalist. Congrats! 🎉 🎉🎉 #afialumni #aficonservatory #baftastudentawards #baftaawards #afi #filmschool...
The #CannesFilmFestival is back next month and we’re not surprised to see that a whole slew of #AFIAlumni will have films at the festival. Congrats! 🎥 🎉 #aficonservatory.
⭐️ @jmcdop (AFI Class of 2020)
Camera Operator: Additional, ANNETTE
⭐️ @pipkwhite (AFI Class of 2020)
Camera Operator: Additional, ANNETTE
⭐️ Thorsten Schumacher (AFI Class of 2001)
Executive Producer, FLAG DAY
⭐️ @reynolds.lb (AFI Class of 2016)
Editor, BLUE BAYOU
⭐️ @saranassim (AFI Class of 2015)
Producer, LAMB
⭐️@eliarenson (AFI Class of 2015)
Cinematographer, LAMB
⭐️ Steve Golin (AFI Class of 1981)
Producer, STILLWATER
⭐️ Masanobu Takayanagi (AFI Class of 2001)
Cinematographer, STILLWATER
⭐️ Affonso Goncalves (AFI Class of 1993)
Editor, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND
⭐️ Andrea Arnold (AFI Class of 1991)
Director, COW
⭐️ @robertbrichardson (AFI Class of 1979)
Cinematographer, JFK REVISITED: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
⭐️ Eva Husson (AFI Class of 2003)
Director, MOTHERING SUNDAY
⭐️ @danielcaseyandstuff (AFI Class of 2003)
Writer, F9
⭐️ Jeffrey Kirschenbaum (AFI Class of 1999)
Producer, F9
⭐️ Michael Chan (AFI Class of 2016)
Visual Effects Coordinator: Universal, F9...
#AFIConservatory alum Janusz Kamiński won the Best Cinematography Oscar for today’s powerful masterpiece directed by Steven Spielberg. Swipe through to learn more, then go to AFI.com/MovieClub for additional film extras. #SchindlersList #AFIMovieClub #AFIAlumniDay #JewishAmericanHeritageMonth...
We’re on the edge of our seats waiting for the last episode of #MareOfEasttown this Sunday, and can’t wait to see what creator #BradIngelsby has in store for the show’s finale. Read our full interview with the AFI alum at link in bio. #afialumni #screenwriting
AFI alum @msdeniese continues to sketch out her plan for television domination and we’re totally on board. #producing #aficonservatory #ablackladysketchshow
✨ Congratulations, Mr. President! ✨ Stephen Lighthill will continue to lead the ASC, alongside AFI alumni @frederick_elmes (board member), @amyvvincent (VP) and @fierberg (VP). #aficonservatory #cinematography #faculty @lighthillasc
Justin Chon’s #Gook takes a hard look at race relations circa 1992. The results, aided by the editing magic by #aficonservatory alum @reynolds.lb, are well worth watching. Swipe through, then go to AFI.com/MovieClub to learn more. #AFIAlumniDay #AFIMovieClub #aapi
Before Allison Oddman joins AFI’s incoming class, they’re joining the TV Academy’s prestigious Summer Fellows program. We can’t wait to welcome them to campus in the fall! @televisionacad #aficonservatory #filmschool #screenwriting...
Big dreams are coming true for these AFI alums, thanks to @agbofilms' “Sleep ‘Til Film Fest” competition! Congrats to @kalimorgandavis for taking the first place prize and @eyangfilms for his honorable mention. Watch the winning films at link in bio. #afialumni #aficonservatory #agbo #shortfilms
HAPPY DAY
⭐️ @kalimorgandavis(AFI Class of 2020)- Director, Editor and Screenplay
⭐️ @beccamu (AFI Class of 2020)- Screenplay and Production Design
⭐️ @pipkwhite (AFI Class of 2020)- Cinematography
⭐️ Henry Wolf (AFI Class of 2020)- Additional Story collaborator and 1st AD
⭐️ Nick Vera (AFI Class of 020)- 1st AC
⭐️ @jonas.b.fischer (AFI Class of 2020)- Gaffer and Key Grip
UNSEND
⭐️ @eyangfilms (AFI Class of 2013)- Director...
What a great way to start the week! Congrats to Second-Year Production Design Fellow Kelsi Howard for being accepted into @TelevisionAcad Foundation’s 2021 Summer Fellows program!
#KillingIt #AFIConservatory #ProductionDesign #Design #TelevisionAcademy...
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
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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