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 in Los Angeles or the nation. 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.
As a top-ranked film school located in Los Angeles, 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 right in the middle of Hollywood, you will have the best possible launchpad for success.
Scholarship Opportunities
AFI offers scholarships to help incoming and current Fellows pay for their film school 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®
9
Nominations
2
Honorary Oscars®
Emmy Awards®
98
Nominations
14
Wins
Golden Globes
17
Nominations
3
Wins
Major Festivals
670
Alumni on
414
Films
AFI DOCS, AFI FEST, Berlin, Cannes, London, New York,
Sundance, SXSW, Telluride, Toronto, Tribeca and Venice
Updated as of Sept. 27, 2021
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 282 Year 1 and Year 2 Fellows currently enrolled at the AFI Conservatory in Los Angeles:
✨Prepare yourself to be wowed. ✨Click link in bio to watch 22 stunning #cinematography projects from the Cinematography graduates of the #AFIConservatory Class of 2021. #filmschool #afi #visualessays #shotonfilm...
We’re excited to see @im.angelabassett receive an Honorary Degree at tomorrow’s Commencement for the #AFIConservatory Class of 2021. But today, let’s watch her superb performance in #TheRosaParksStory, directed by AFI alum @dash_julie. #afimovieclub #angelabassett #afi #movieclub #femalefilmmakerfriday #afialumni #didyouknow #rosaparks #emmys #cicelytyson...
Called a “technical tour de force” by the late film critic Roger Ebert, this polarizing science fiction thriller featured a standout performance from the one and only #AngelaBassett. Directed by #KathrynBigelow and edited by #aficonservatory alum Howard Smith, get ready for some #StrangeDays. #afimovieclub @im.angelabassett #femalefilmmakers #filmfacts #scifi #afialumniday #afialumni...
This is funny. Wilandrea Blair (AFI Class of 2020) has been selected for the #WomenWriteNow fellowship designed to bolster the next generation of Black women in comedy. We are not the least bit surprised. Can’t wait to stream the short on @PeacockTV! @bwilandrea #femalefilmmaker #afialumni #aficonservatory #comedy #funny #shortfilms #peacock...
We might be biased, but we think this great film directed and co-written by Ivan Grbovic and co-written and shot by @sara.mishara (both AFI Class of 2002), is an excellent choice, Canada. 🇨🇦 #bestinternationalfeaturefilm #aficonservatory #afialumni #academyawards #canada...
Thank you @laliff_ & @abc7la for spotlighting underrepresented diverse storytellers, including our very own alum Javier Colón Ríos - an amazing filmmaker! #HispanicHeritageMonth #afialumni #aficonservatory @javiercolonrios...
Cheers to #AFIConservatory Directing Fellow Davis Northern (AFI Class of 2022) who was named an apprentice for Campari’s Red Diaries 2021 project #FelliniForward – the first short film created with Artificial Intelligence. Learn more at link in bio. @campariusa #afifellow #filmschool #Campari #RedDiaries #Negroni...
Before @im.angelabassett receives her Honorary Degree at the Commencement Ceremony for the #AFIConservatory Class of 2021 this Saturday, re-watch this modern-day classic, which kicks off our week of films celebrating the Oscar-nominated star. #whatslovegottodowithit #afimovieclub #tinaturner #angelabassett...
Today’s #AFIMovieClub pick is an indie coming-of-age comedy directed by AFI alum @sjohnsonbraveart with cinematography by alum @gonzalo.amat. Swipe to learn more about #CarriePilby. #afimovieclub #afialumni #afialumniday #womendirect #femalefilmmaker #didyouknow #aficonservatory...
Same @Variety, same. We love watching AFI Alum @randy.mckinnon and his skyrocketing career. Kudos, Randy! #afialumni #aficonservatory #variety #top10 #screenwriting #randymckinnon...
If a new platform is giving love to AFI Thesis Films, count us in. Check out @CuriaTV to stream 13 recent AFI shorts. We’re pretty sure you’ll love them. Click link in bio to learn more. #aficonservatory #filmschool #gradschool #filmmaking #whattostream #shortfilms...
The AFI Conservatory’s world-class #cinematographers have something to show you. Join us on October 10 as the graduating class of 2021 screens their #VisualEssays for the first time. For more info, email [email protected] #aficonservatory #cinematography #filmschool #afi #filmmaking...
If you’re interested in #ProductionDesign, you won’t want to miss this Admissions event with AFI Faculty and Alumni. RSVP at link in bio. #aficonservatory #filmmaking #architecture #filmschool #losangeles...
Our #mondaymotivation for today is to celebrate all of the filmmakers in the #AFIFamily who took home #Emmys this year. 🏆 Kudos to these winners! #afialumni #aficonservatory
#ScottFrank
🏆Outstanding directing for a Limited Series
@the.queensgambitnetflix
🏆Outstanding Limited Series
@the.queensgambitnetflix
Keith P. Cunningham
🏆Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program
#MareOfEasttown
@michtesoro (AFI Thesis Editing Mentor)
🏆Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For a Limited Series
@the.queensgambitnetflix
Jennifer Lane
🏆Outstanding Structured Reality Program
@QueerEye
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
“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