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American Film Institute Conservatory · Directing
A two-year, full-time MFA in which Directing Fellows direct up to three narrative short films in the first year and a thesis project in the second year.
| Field | Classification | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Film Directing | Dedicated degreeThe degree itself is in this field. | Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026 |
MFA awarded in the Directing discipline.
Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026We list verified film degrees only — no certificates, workshops or generic degrees with a few film electives. Eligibility rules
Thesis filmDirecting Fellows direct a thesis project in their second year.
Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026As listed on the program's official page on October 12, 2026. Listing does not mean a faculty member is teaching or supervising new students in a given year.
Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026Equipment access: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
Thesis and project spending
We never estimate a total cost when key expenses are unpublished. Compare production costs
| Material | Status | Instructions as published |
|---|---|---|
| Other material | Required | Self-recorded video introduction of 60 seconds or less.Length: up to 1 minutesSource: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Directing reel / sample | Required | Moving image sample solely directed by the applicant; fictional narrative only; up to 10 continuous minutes.Length: up to 10 minutesSource: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Creative prompt / exercise | Required | Directing assignment: an original narrative short made for the application on a set topic ("A MISTAKE"), no longer than 5 minutes.Length: up to 5 minutesSource: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Writing sample | Required | Two one-page essays analyzing the moving image sample and the directing assignment.Length: up to 1 pagesSource: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026 |
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness. Build an application checklist
Application deadline
December 1, 2026 · for Fall 2027
Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| All students | $75,508 | per academic year · 2026-2027Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026 |
| All students — Estimate, subject to modification | $78,151 | per academic year · 2027-2028Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026 |
Partial fundingPolicy year: 2027-2028
AFI Scholarship scholarship
Amounts vary; may partially cover tuition and fees
Eligibility: Incoming domestic and international Fellows; need and merit
Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026Something out of date? Suggest an update · Represent this school? Claim the profile
Same degree level and field. Listed for discovery, not ranked.
University of California-Los Angeles
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