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American Film Institute Conservatory

Los Angeles, CAPrivate nonprofitCinematography · Directing · Editing · Producing · Screenwriting · AFI Conservatory

The AFI Conservatory is a graduate-only film school in Los Angeles that awards a two-year, full-time MFA in six disciplines, five of them in film craft areas covered here. Fellows team across disciplines on short films and a 20-minute thesis film.

Eligible film degrees

Each program has its own page with admissions, tuition, production costs, funding and sources. Tuition, admissions and facilities of one program do not apply to the others.

CinematographyFilm DirectingEditingProducingScreenwriting

American Film Institute Conservatory logo

American Film Institute Conservatory

MFA in Cinematography

MFAMaster of Fine Arts in Cinematography
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Format: On campusClasses, workshops and productions meet in person on campus. · Full-time
Fields: Cinematography (dedicated degree)
Duration: Two years
Funding: Partial funding
Tuition: $75,508 per academic year · All students · 2026-2027
Deadline: December 1, 2026 · Fall 2027
View programSelected in: Top Cinematography Schools, Top Film Schools in the USA, Top MFA in Filmmaking Programs in the USA
American Film Institute Conservatory logo

American Film Institute Conservatory

MFA in Directing

MFAMaster of Fine Arts in Directing
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Format: On campusClasses, workshops and productions meet in person on campus. · Full-time
Fields: Film Directing (dedicated degree)
Duration: Two years
Funding: Partial funding
Tuition: $75,508 per academic year · All students · 2026-2027
Deadline: December 1, 2026 · Fall 2027
View programSelected in: Top Film Directing Schools, Top Film Schools in the USA, Top MFA in Filmmaking Programs in the USA

Offerings we reviewed but do not list

This directory lists eligible film degrees only. These related offerings were checked against official pages and fall outside that scope (for example certificates, minors, acting-only or animation-only degrees).
  • MFA in Production Design (Master of Fine Arts in Production Design)Production design is outside the seven film fields covered by this directory.Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026
  • Certificate of Completion (Associate Fellows) (Certificate of Completion)Certificate awarded to Associate Fellows without an undergraduate degree; not a degree.Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026

Facilities and student showcases

Only what the school documents on its own pages. Access to facilities can differ by program and level — see each program page.

Festivals

Student films

Verified facilities

  • Warner Bros. BuildingClassrooms, screening rooms, a sound stage, production offices, drafting and computer labs.Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026
  • Sony Digital Arts CenterPost-production facilities with non-linear digital editing.Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026
  • Louis B. Mayer LibrarySpecialized film reference and research collection.Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026

Institution

Official name
American Film Institute Conservatory
Control
Private nonprofit
Source: nces.ed.gov · verified October 12, 2026
Institutional accreditation
WASC Senior College and University Commission
Source: conservatory.afi.com · verified October 12, 2026
Address
2021 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027-1625
Source: nces.ed.gov · verified October 12, 2026
Website

Sources

Last verified October 12, 2026. Program facts and their sources are on each program page.
  1. conservatory.afi.com/ — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
  2. conservatory.afi.com/admissions-requirements/ — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
  3. conservatory.afi.com/campus/ — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
  4. conservatory.afi.com/federal-disclosures/ — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
  5. conservatory.afi.com/overview/ — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
  6. conservatory.afi.com/production-design/ — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
  7. conservatory.afi.com/production/ — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
  8. IPEDS 2024–25 Institutional Characteristics (HD2024), via College Navigator — U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), verified October 12, 2026

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