About the

AFI Conservatory

At the world-renowned AFI Conservatory, a dedicated group of working professionals from the film and television communities serve as mentors in a hands-on, production-based environment nurturing the talents of tomorrow’s storytellers. The Conservatory is consistently recognized as one of the world’s top film schools.

​

Established in 1969, the two-year Master of Fine Arts program provides training in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. Admission to AFI Conservatory is highly selective, with a maximum of only 140 graduates per year.

​

In 2020, The American Film Institute was ranked number one film school in America by The Hollywood Reporter.

notable alumni

Terrence Malick | Director
Days of Heaven, The New World, Tree Of Life

​

Matthew Libatique | Cinematographer
A Star is Born, Venom, Requiem for a Dream

​

Janusz Kaminski | Cinematographer
Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Minority Report

​

Darren Aronofsky | Director
Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, Mother

​

Liz Hannah | Producer
The Post, Long Shot

​

David Lynch | Director
Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive

​

Wally Pfister | Cinematographer
The Prestige, The Dark Knight, Inception

​

Melina Matsoukas | Director
Queen & Slim, Insecure, Beyoncé: Formation

Rachel Morrison | Cinematographer
Fruitvale Station, Mudbound, Black Panther

​

Robert Elswit | Cinematographer
Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, Michael Clayton

​

Steve Golin | Producer
Babel, Spotlight, The Revenant

​

Patty Jenkins | Director
Monster, Wonder Woman

​

Robert Richardson | Cinematographer
Aviator, Inglorious Basterds, Hateful Eight

​

Paul Schrader | Director
First Reformed, American Gigolo

​

Scott Frank | Screenwriter

Logan, The Queen's Gambit

​

Ari Aster | Director

Hereditary, Midsommar