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:
Consider yourself one lucky devil, because today’s #AFIMovieClub pick is the noir thriller #DevilInABlueDress, written & directed by #AFIConservatory alum Carl Franklin and starring Denzel Washington. Learn more and find out how to watch at AFI.com/MovieClub. #afialumni...
The @nbrfilm has weighed in and we are not surprised at all to see these talented AFI alums make the list. Looks like a very good year for film. #NBRawards #filmschool #AFIAlumni #AFIConservatory
BEST FILM
🏆 @licoricepizza
🎥 Michael Bauman (AFI Class of 1992), Cinematographer
🎥 @contactmelindasuegordon (AFI Class of 1980), Still Photographer
BEST DOCUMENTARY
🏆 @summerofsoulmovie
🎥 @stefanweinberger (Class of 2012), Additional Camera
TOP FILMS
🏆 @belfastmovie
🎥 @zambagram (AFI Class of 1994), Cinematographer
🏆 @kingrichardfilm
🎥 Robert Elswit (Class of 1997), Cinematographer
🎥 Mauricio Abud Friederichsen (Class of 2019), Art Department Production Assistant
🎥 Emma Sparer (Class of 2017), Set Designer
🏆 @westsidestorymovie
🎥 Janusz Kaminski (AFI Class of 1987), Cinematographer
🎥 Sarah Broshar (AFI Class of 2005), Editor
🎥 Cindy Li (AFI Class of 2013), Assistant Payroll Accountant
🏆 THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
🎥 Michael Bauman (AFI Class of 1992), Gaffer
TOP 5 FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILMS
🏆 @lambmovie
🎥 @saranassim (Class of 2015), Producer
🎥 @eliarenson (Class of 2015), Cinematographer
TOP 5 DOCUMENTARIES
@therescuefilm
🎥 @cgdop (AFI Class of 2009), Additional Photography
TOP 10 INDIE FILMS
🏆 @thecardcounter
🎥 Paul Schrader (Class of 1969), Writer/Director
🏆 @codamovie
🎥 @sianheder.director(AFI DWW Class of 2005), Director
🎥 @paulahuidobro (AFI Class of 2004), Cinematographer
🏆 #PigMovie
🎥 @brettwbachman (Class of 2011), Editor
🎥 S. Robyn Wilson (Class of 2012), Assistant Editor
🏆 @shivababymovie
🎥 @rhi.an.on (AFI Class of 2007), Producer...
Today, we’re serving you π. Swipe to learn more about this imaginative horror film from two AFI alums, writer/director @DarrenAronofsky and cinematographer Matthew @Libatique. #AFIMovieClub #AFIAlumni #Pi #AFIConservatory #didyouknow #filmmaking...
Congrats to these AFI Alumni whose films won big at last night’s #GothamAwards! #AFIAlumni #AFIConservatory @thegotham
Best Feature
Best Screenplay
Outstanding Lead Performance
Breakthrough Director Award
🏆 @thelostdaughterfilm
🎥 Affonso Gonçalves (AFI Class of 1993), Editor
Breakthrough Series – Short Form
🏆 @rezdogsfxonhulu
🎥 @va5un (AFI Class of 2012), Editor
Outstanding Supporting Performance: Troy Kotsur
Breakthrough Performance: Emilia Jones
🏆@codamovie
🎥 @sianheder.director (AFI DWW Class of 2005), writer/director
🎥 @paulahuidobro (AFI Class of 2004), Cinematography
Outstanding Performance in a New Series: Ethan Hawke
🏆 @thegoodlordbird
🎥 @peter_deming (AFI Class of 1980), Cinematographer
Outstanding Performance in a New Series: Thuso Mbedu
🏆 @theugrailroadtv
🎥 Jacqueline Hoyt (AFI Class of 2002), Writer/Executive Producer
🎥 Marie Montgomery (AFI Class of 2011), Script Coordinator...
Today’s #AFIMovieClub pick is Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Oscar-winning epic #TheRevenant, produced by #AFIConservatory alum Steve Golin. This uncompromising tour de force is no walk in the woods. 🐻🧔 #AFIAlumniDay #AFIAlumni @leonardodicaprio...
Everyone is talking about #KennethBranagh’s new film #Belfast and we were honored to have had the writer/director and his cinematographer (& AFI alum) @zambagram come to campus to discuss the film with AFI Fellows. #aficonservatory @belfastmovie...
This is BIG! Congrats to @haleybartels, who is one of only five winners of @TheAcademy’s prestigious Nicholl Fellowship. #afialumni #aficonservatory #screenwriting #nichollfellowship...
AFI alumna Kristen Correll has always been a force to be reckoned with! Proud to see her recognized on this list of talented cinematographers. @theredroosta @variety #femalefilmmakers #cinematography #aficonservatory #afialumni...
There’s no one better to talk about what it’s like to attend AFI than the filmmakers who actually went to the #school. Join several of them this Saturday for this special Admissions event. RSVP at link in bio. #filmschool #aficonservatory #afi #afialumni #filmmaking...
Filmmaker #BarryJenkins returned to the AFI campus to share some motivation with the next generation. He told stories about making his riveting miniseries #TheUndergroundRailroad and a little bit more. To hear it all, you’d have to be at the #AFIConservatory but you can swipe through to get in on the action. #afimovieclub #filmschool...
📣 Calling all future editors! Join #AFIConservatory Editing alumna Shannon Baker Davis as she leads a conversation with Editing alumnae Katy Skjerping & Taylor Mason about their own careers as editors after graduating from AFI. Reserve your spot at link in bio. #afi #filmschool #editing #femalefilmmakerfriday #afialumni...
Swipe through to read these buzzy facts about David Cronenberg’s #TheFly, produced by AFI Alum Stuart Cornfeld. #AFIMovieClub #afialumni #aficonservatory #davidcronenberg #halloweenmovies #scarymovies...
Taking it one day at a time. It certainly feels great to be back on campus again for our seminars. Thank you, @janicza, for presenting your must-see film #Zola and for your incredible insight into filmmaking. #aficonservatory #filmschool #janiczabravo #femalefilmmakers #a24 @cm_schwartzy...
😎 It’s time for that old time rock & roll…Produced by AFI alum @jonavnet, swipe through to learn all about the "risky" movie that made @TomCruise a star.
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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