15 University Film Studies Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 16
- 12 min read
If you are in high school and considering studying film, media studies, or communication later, exploring the subject early can help you understand how the field actually works. Film studies programs give you a structured way to study cinema and examine how films are created and interpreted. As a participant, you may analyze films from different genres, examine how directors structure narratives, and explore how editing, sound, and visual design shape the viewing experience. This kind of exposure can help you decide whether film studies is a subject you want to pursue in college.
Why should I participate in a university film studies program in high school?
Participating in a university program allows you to experience how film studies is taught at the college level. You may attend lectures, participate in discussions about cinema, and complete assignments focused on film analysis. These experiences can strengthen your college applications by showing that you have seriously explored your interest in film or media. They also help you develop analytical and writing skills that will be useful if you continue studying film, media, or communication in college.
With that in mind, here are 15 university film studies programs for high school students!
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
Programs span a wide range of film disciplines, including film production (NYU Tisch, USC SCA, UNCSA, Chapman), screenwriting (Northwestern NHSI, NYU Online Screenwriters Workshop), film analysis (BU Summer Challenge), social impact filmmaking (LMU), and animation and game design (DePaul), giving students multiple entry points into the field.
Several programs are hosted at leading film schools, including USC School of Cinematic Arts, NYU Tisch, Northwestern, SCAD, and Chapman Dodge College, providing direct exposure to the faculty and facilities of top undergraduate film programs.
Tisch Future Artists at NYU is the only fully funded program on this list, while programs like Northwestern NHSI offer financial aid, and most others are tuition-based with costs ranging from $750 (DePaul) to over $11,000 (LMU).
Students looking to build a portfolio or earn academic credit can apply to SCAD Rising Star (college credit), Syracuse University Pre-College (noncredit transcript), and NYU Tisch Summer Filmmakers Workshop, all of which produce completed film projects by the end of the program.
Deadlines vary widely across programs: Northwestern NHSI's early deadline falls in January, while programs like USC SCA and UNCSA close in May. Students should begin identifying programs in the fall and apply to early-deadline programs first.
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions.
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program lets high school students experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7-10, and learn from tutors from eminent top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. You can explore a wide range of subjects, spanning over 20 options, including Architecture, AI, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, Philosophy, and more. The courses are experiential and focus on hands-on learning. You may find yourself conducting dissections in medicine, designing a robotic arm in engineering, participating in a moot court for law, or building creative writing portfolios and business case studies. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: New York University campus, NYC
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: January 31 – May 9
Application deadline: November 10
Eligibility: High school students who are currently enrolled in grades 9–11
Tisch Future Artists is a fully-funded 14-week spring program that runs on Saturdays and introduces you to university-level arts training at NYU. If you choose the Future Filmmakers track, you focus specifically on developing personal voice and storytelling through hands-on filmmaking projects. Classes and workshops are taught by Tisch School of the Arts faculty and mirror the rigor of undergraduate coursework. You’ll spend full days working through creative exercises, production fundamentals, and collaborative assignments. The curriculum is focused on articulating ideas visually while gaining exposure to all stages of the filmmaking process.
Location: University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California (on-campus)
Cost: Varies by units
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: June 25 – August 7
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students who are age 16 by June 15 of the year they want to attend the program (Green Card Holders/Permanent Residents must submit the international application)
The USC School of Cinematic Arts Summer Program allows you to enroll in university film courses while studying on the USC campus in Los Angeles. You choose classes based on your interests in areas such as storytelling, production, or film analysis, and complete assignments similar to those in undergraduate coursework. Each class includes structured projects where you develop scripts, short scene exercises, or analytical work based on the course focus. Faculty review your work and provide feedback as you revise and refine each assignment. By the end of the course, you will have completed projects that reflect the practical and analytical work covered during the program.
Location: NYU Tisch School of the Arts, New York City, New York
Cost: $8,008 tuition + housing and meal fees, insurance, and application fees
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: July 5 – August 1
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; minimum GPA of 3.0
The NYU Tisch High School Filmmakers Workshop is a four-week residential program where you study filmmaking through classes based on the Tisch undergraduate curriculum. During the program, you learn how to develop a story, plan a shoot, operate digital cameras, record sound, and edit footage using professional workstations. Working in small production groups, you develop a short film from concept through filming and post-production. Instructors review your work throughout the process and guide revisions before the final screening, where completed films are presented to the cohort and faculty.
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: Paid; tuition/fees + separate application fee; financial aid process is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 28 – August 1
Application deadline: Early: January 9 | Regular: March 13
Eligibility: Applicants must be currently enrolled in their sophomore or junior year of high school and rank academically in or near the top 30% of their high school class
The National High School Institute Film and Video Program at Northwestern University combines daily classes with hands-on production work. You select a concentration, such as acting for the camera, production, or screenwriting, and attend morning classes focused on that craft area. Afternoon electives expand your understanding of filmmaking through courses in editing, cinematography, television writing, or genre studies. Throughout the program, you participate in screenings, lectures, and masterclasses while developing projects connected to your concentration. The program concludes with the Festival of First Cuts, where completed films are screened for family and friends.
Location: DePaul University, Loop Campus, Chicago, IL
Cost: Deposit: $150 | Total: $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: Priority: May 20 | Final: June 1
Eligibility: Students must have completed their freshman year of high school by July 1; Graduating seniors are also eligible
The Game, Cinema, and Animation Summer Academy at DePaul University introduces filmmaking and visual storytelling through short studio sessions and collaborative projects. In the film production track, you work with a group to write, film, and edit a short project while learning the steps involved in production planning and shooting. Sessions include instruction on storyboarding, shot planning, and editing techniques used to assemble a finished scene. Faculty guide each stage of the process while reviewing your work and suggesting revisions during the week.
Location: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $11,100 + application fee: $65
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: June 21 - July 17
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The Film Production Social Impact Filmmaking program at Loyola Marymount University guides you through the process of producing a short film focused on social issues. During the first part of the program, you work in production groups while learning how to write scripts, cast actors, and plan filming schedules. Teams then move into production where scenes are filmed under faculty supervision. The final stage focuses on editing and post-production so that each group completes a finished film. Screenings and discussions examine how films communicate ideas related to public issues.
Location: Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA, and Atlanta, GA
Cost: $4,680 tuition + additional fees
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 28–July 24
Application deadline: Opens September 21
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
SCAD Rising Star allows you to enroll in two college-level courses at the Savannah College of Art and Design while living on campus. Film and television pathway students attend studio classes where assignments focus on developing visual storytelling and digital production work. Projects are reviewed through critique sessions where instructors provide feedback and guide revisions. By the end of the program, you will have completed projects that can be included in a portfolio while earning college credit hours.
Location: UNCSA, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (in-person)
Cost: $3,152 - Commuter | $5,329 - Residential + $50 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: June 21 – July 18
Application deadline: May 1 (rolling)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores through incoming college freshmen
The Filmmaking Summer Intensive at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts focuses on the technical and collaborative process involved in producing short films. Classes introduce directing, cinematography, sound recording, and editing through structured exercises that demonstrate each role on a film set. Production assignments move from small technical drills to group projects where teams film short scenes. Faculty review each stage of production and provide feedback as projects move through filming and editing.
Location: Boston University, MA
Cost: $3,730 tuition + other additional costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies
Application deadline: When all seminars are filled
Eligibility: Students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in the fall
Boston University’s Summer Challenge allows you to enroll in two short seminars that simulate college-level classes. Students interested in film may choose the Film and Literature seminar, where films and written texts are examined together. Class discussions focus on analyzing narrative structure, character development, and themes present in both literature and film. Assignments include presentations and written reflections that explain how visual storytelling connects with literary narratives.
Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York (pre-college; in-person options)
Cost: Residential: $4,995 | Commuter: $4,024
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 2-Week Session I: July 5 – 17 | 2-Week Session II: July 19 – 31
Application deadline: May 1; Rolling
Eligibility: Varies by course
In this two-week, hands-on filmmaking workshop, you work in small creative and production groups while receiving individualized mentoring from instructors in the Syracuse University Film Program. The course is designed as an intensive introduction to visual storytelling, focusing on cinematic imagination and collaborative production. Through workshops, you develop foundational skills in cinematography, sound recording, scriptwriting, animation basics, editing, and post-production. Projects are short-form–typically 1–3 minutes–allowing you to treat each film as a focused creative lab where you move quickly from concept to execution. The experience concludes with a mini film festival where completed projects are screened. Upon successful completion, you receive a Certificate of Completion and may request a Syracuse University noncredit transcript.
Location: Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, IL (on-campus)
Cost: Commuter: $3,650 | Residential: $5,820 + $100 nonrefundable application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: 4 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18
Summer at Columbia’s Cinema and Television Production course allows you to take a freshman-level filmmaking class while studying on the Columbia College Chicago campus. During the four-week session, you move through the stages of filmmaking, beginning with idea development and planning before moving into filming and editing. Faculty members who work in film and television guide each assignment while you use Columbia’s production spaces and equipment to complete class projects. The coursework follows a structured sequence where each assignment builds on the previous one so that you understand how production and post-production fit together in a complete project.
Location: Chapman University, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Orange, California (on-campus)
Cost: Check the official website
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Check the official website
Eligibility: Students entering their junior or senior year of high school
Chapman University’s Summer Film Academy places you inside Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, where you study film production over two weeks. During the program, you work in small groups to develop a short film while learning how directing, cinematography, sound recording, and editing operate together during a production. Classes combine lectures with practical studio work where scenes are planned, filmed, and assembled through editing. Throughout the program, you use Dodge College production equipment while instructors guide each stage of filming and review your work during production sessions.
Location: Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle, WA (South Lake Union Campus, on-campus)
Cost: Varies by type of program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published
Dates: July 6 – July 31
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students (exact age/grade range; verify on official website)
Film Summer@Cornish at Cornish College of the Arts is a four-week program where you create original film projects while studying on the Seattle campus. Each project begins with developing an idea before moving into filming and editing within the college’s production spaces. Faculty guide the process through critique sessions where your work is reviewed and discussed before the next stage of production begins. During the program, you may also take elective classes that expand your work in areas related to filmmaking while continuing to develop the main film project.
Location: Remote
Cost: $8,008
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application deadline: Early: May 11 | Final: June 10
Eligibility: High school first-years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
NYU Tisch’s Online High School Screenwriters Workshop delivers structured screenwriting instruction in a fully remote format. The program combines pre-recorded lessons, weekly writing assignments, and scheduled one-on-one video meetings with a Tisch instructor. You study character development, dramatic structure, scene construction, and industry-standard screenplay formatting. Assignments require drafting and revising scenes while analyzing produced scripts and films. Peer feedback takes place through guided discussions and critique exchanges. By the end of the workshop, you will have completed scripted scenes, a short screenplay, and a synopsis for a longer project.
Frequently asked questions
What types of university film studies programs are available for high school students?
Options include hands-on production programs (NYU Tisch, USC SCA, UNCSA, Chapman, Columbia College Chicago), screenwriting intensives (Northwestern NHSI, NYU Online Screenwriters Workshop), social impact filmmaking (LMU), animation and game design (DePaul), film analysis seminars (BU Summer Challenge), and research-based film studies programs (Lumiere, Immerse Education).
Are there free university film studies programs for high school students?
Tisch Future Artists at NYU is fully funded and free to attend. Most other programs on this list are tuition-based, though Northwestern NHSI and Immerse Education offer financial aid. Students with financial need should check each program's aid process directly, as many university pre-college programs offer need-based support.
Which programs are best for students interested specifically in screenwriting?
Northwestern NHSI offers a dedicated screenwriting concentration, and NYU Tisch's Online High School Screenwriters Workshop focuses entirely on script development, scene construction, and dramatic structure. LMU's Social Impact Filmmaking program also incorporates scriptwriting into the production process.
Do any university film programs offer college credit?
Yes, SCAD Rising Star awards college credit hours upon completion. Syracuse University Pre-College issues a noncredit transcript, and Immerse Education's program offers accredited credit from universities in the U.S. and the UK for eligible students. Students should verify current credit policies directly with each program before applying.
Which programs are best for students who want to complete a finished film by the end?
NYU Tisch Summer Filmmakers Workshop, UNCSA Filmmaking Summer Intensive, Chapman Summer Film Academy, Columbia College Chicago, Syracuse University Pre-College, and LMU Social Impact Filmmaking all culminate in completed short films that students can include in a portfolio. Northwestern NHSI ends with a Festival of First Cuts screening for family and faculty.
When should I apply to university film studies programs for high school students?
Northwestern NHSI has an early deadline of January 9 and a regular deadline of March 13. LMU closes March 15, and USC SCA and UNCSA both close May 1. DePaul's priority deadline is May 20. NYU Tisch Future Artists closes November 10 for its spring program. Students should begin researching in the fall and prioritize applications for programs with January and March deadlines first.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.