AFI Conservatory Film School

Directing Program

Earn your MFA in Directing and take your filmmaking career to the next level. AFI Directors spend two years immersed in honing their craft. As part of the directing curriculum, AFI Directors collaborate with their fellow AFI filmmakers and have the opportunity to direct up to three narrative short films in their first year and a thesis project their second year, creating a polished directing portfolio that reflects their abilities and vision as a filmmaker. Upon completion of the program, AFI Directors participate in the annual Directing Showcase with industry guests.

Master Classes in Directing and Filmmaking at AFI

Here are just a few of the iconic filmmakers who have visited the AFI Campus:

Martin Scorsese on direction changes while filming a movie

Tarantino's Method for Directing Actors

George Clooney speaks to AFI Conservatory Fellows about directing actors

Christopher Nolan's Method for Directing Actors

Chad Stahelski on Directing JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE director Céline Sciamma on directing her first feature film

Director Patty Jenkins on Finding Your Own Voice

Peter Berg Breaks Down American Primeval

In Conversation with THE SUBSTANCE Filmmaker Coralie Fargeat

Domee Shi on Making Her Pixar Film TURNING RED

Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert on EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

Todd Field on Making his film TÁR

Inside the Making of SEW TORN: Director Freddy Macdonald's Journey to AFI

Filmmaking Classes and Faculty at AFI

The AFI Conservatory is ranked one of the top film schools in the nation – which means AFI film students, known as “Fellows” at the Conservatory, are surrounded by the best of the best, from the exceptional Fellows in each class and over 5,000 Alumni in the AFI network, to the Mentors, Faculty and Seminar Guests who share their experiences and insights to help make each Fellow the best filmmaker they can be. Learn more about the curriculum.