America's Conservatory for Filmmakers

Through its commitment to hands-on filmmaking and professional mentorship, the AFI Conservatory has nurtured some of the most talented and diverse artists in filmmaking since 1969. Among the filmmakers taking part in this years Festival are Janusz Kaminski (C '87) with THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY, Steve Golin (P '81) with SMILEY FACE, Terrence Malick (D '69) with THE UNFORSEEN and Kim Magnusson's (P '91) WITH YOU PERMISSION. Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, producing partners from the class of '75 and AFI board members are presenting their latest Internet and social networking series QUARTERLIFE at AFI DigiFest, also at the Festival.

Inspiring, supporting and guiding artists in six disciplines--Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting--- the AFI Conservatory offers advanced creative experience within a 60-plus credit hour Master of Fine Arts degree program. This intensive graduate program parallels the challenges and expectations of the contemporary film, television and digital media professions. Some of its distinctive features are:

Professional filmmakers as faculty: Dedicated, accomplished professionals act as mentors and guides to Fellows with small classes to maximize personal relationships.

Narrative Storytelling: The Conservatory experience is centered on narrative, fictional storytelling as the essential foundation on which moving image artists build and shape their professional voices.

Hands-on Creative Collaboration: The AFI Conservatory emphasizes hands-on collaboration as its primary teaching tool, providing an experience close to the real-world filmmaking environment.

AFI Conservatory Showcases: Selected Thesis productions by AFI graduates premiere for the professional community several nights each year at respected Hollywood venues. Production Design and Screenwriting Fellows also showcase their work to representatives from the film community including top agencies, management companies and production companies.

Distribution of Thesis productions: AFI has a professional distributor that licenses Thesis films domestically and internationally to all outlets including broadcast and cable television, broadband channels, video-on-demand/pay-per-view services, hotels, airlines and institutions.

Applications may be obtained by calling the Admissions Office at 323.856.762 or by visiting www.AFI.com. Deadline for applications and all supporting materials must be postmarked December 1, 2007, for consideration for the next academic year.