Getting into one of the best film schools in the world is no joke. But once you get through, you can expect future rewards of fame and recognition in the movie industry.
Choosing the best school for you is a task that you cannot afford to take lightly because you have to consider not only the school’s international ranking but also its faculty, departments, courses, and the practical equipment available.
Another critical factor is the tuition fee and the cost of living, particularly in the case of global education. Choose a school that will set you up for a career with great returns because film studies courses are anything but cheap. Here is a list.
Best Film Schools in the World
1. USC School of Cinematic Arts, USA
Located in Los Angeles, USC or the University of South California School of Cinematic Arts is unanimously considered the best in the country, funded by the likes of George Lucas.
With its million-dollar funds, it can afford to provide students and research scholars with luxury amenities like an IMAX theatre and labs. USC School of Cinematic Arts is also one of the oldest. It was founded in 1929 along with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The School has many divisions including Cinema & Media Studies, Film & Television Production, John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television, John C. Hench Division of Animation and Digital Arts, Interactive Media & Games, Media Arts and Practice, and Peter Stark Producing Program.
It offers a range of courses in film studies including BA, BFA, and MFA. Various renowned film directors, cinematographers, animators, producers, researchers, and so on, form the alumni of this film school.
2. National Film and Television School, UK
National Film and Television School, popularly known as NFTS, has been ranked as UK’s best for many years. Despite being located on the outskirts of Northwestern London, NFTS is quite famous amongst film scholars.
It was established in 1971 and stands out amongst the film schools in the UK because of its amazing curriculum.
The well-known American e-mag The Hollywood Reporter has listed NFTS among the best international film schools in the world in 2021.
Among the alumni of NFTS is David Yates, the director of the Harry Potter movies. Other than offering a good number of specialized PG courses, it also offers diploma and certificate courses.
3. American Film Institute, USA
American Film Institute is undoubtedly the best one in all of LA and definitely one of the top 5 film schools in the world. If you are aspiring to attend the coolest film school in the world, AFI is the answer to your prayers.
It offers you the opportunity to produce your own short projects during your course. If these works are extraordinarily good, you also get the opportunity to meet legends like Steve McQueen for personal training in the art of filmmaking.
AFI was established as a film organization in 1965 to train budding American filmmakers in motion picture arts and runs on private funding.
David Lynch, who is known for his critically acclaimed works, also has a special inclination toward this film school.
4. Beijing Film Academy, China
Beijing Film Academy or BFA is the most sought-after film school in all of Asia. BFA started a small institution called the Performance Art Institution of the Film Bureau of the Ministry of Culture in 1950.
But by 1956, the name was changed to Beijing Film Academy. Currently, it is one of the largest film schools in the world.
Film Industries are witnessing exponential growth in Asia and this makes BFA a great choice. Also, personalities like James Cameron have been part of it as visiting fellows.
The curriculum is vast with Bachelor’s, Master and associate courses in various areas like film theory, directing, producing, acting, animation art, cinematography, sound art, and scriptwriting among others.
5. La Fémis, France
La Fémis connects one to the rich history of filmmaking which began with the Lumiere brothers in 1894. This French institution is based in Paris on the very site of the Pathé studios which is where filmmaking itself originated.
La Fémis has produced famous filmmakers in the past who have made history at the Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival as well and Venice Film Festival.
It even precedes the Tisch School of the Arts of New York City and China’s BFA in being one of the most rewarded schools worldwide. The main curriculum is a self-designed 4-year course based on a fine balance of theory and praxis.
Best Film Schools in India
- Film and Television Institute of India, Pune
- Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata
- National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
- Whistling Woods International, Mumbai
- Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment, Mumbai
- Asian Academy of Film and Television
- LV Prasad Film and TV Academy, Chennai
- Centre for Research in Art of Film and Television (CRAFT), Delhi
- The ICE Institute
- KR Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts
- Kalapurnam Institute of Visual Effects and Animation
Best Film Schools in Europe
- London Film School
- National Film and Television School
- Academy of Performing Arts’ Film and TV School
- La Femis
- Lodz Film School
- London Metropolitan University Sir’s John CASS Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design
- University of Television and Film Munich
- National Film School, Italy
- National Film School of Denmark
- Norwegian Film School
- Screen Academy Scotland
- University of the Arts London’s College of Communication
- Russian State University of Cinematography
FAQs
Which is the best film school in the world?
The Los Angeles Film School, California
Toronto Film School
Vancouver Film School
London Film School
Academy of Performing Arts Film and TV School
La Femis
Lodz Film School
Beijing Film Academy
Which is the hardest film school to get into?
One of the hardest film schools to get into is the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. Only 3% of applicants are admitted to the School of Cinematic Arts.
Which college has the best film school?
American Film Institute
California Institute of the Arts
Chapman University
Columbia University
Emerson College
Loyola Marymount University
New York University
University of California, Los Angeles
Which country has the best film schools in the world?
The United Kingdom tops the list as it has some of the best film schools in the world. Reputed universities and award-winning alumni from the best universities in the UK make it a most sought-after destination for film studies.
Conclusion
Preparing to get admission to one of the best film schools in the world can feel like a full-time job in itself. Knowing the basics about these schools is a good start to that journey.
Once you are aware of what you are signing up for, you can attain more determination and tenacity for realizing your dreams.
