15 Online Film Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 6 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you are a high school student curious about directing, storytelling, editing, or simply how movies come together behind the scenes, an online film program can be worth exploring. They allow you to build practical skills, gain exposure to structured learning, and connect with mentors and peers from around the world. Many are taught by university faculty and industry experts, giving you valuable insight into what studying or working in creative fields might look like.
What are the benefits of a film program?
Film programs give you a taste of college-level film education while letting you build practical skills, learn from professionals, and connect with other passionate students, all from home. These programs are a flexible and accessible way to explore your creative interests without the pressure of moving across the country. You can use them to experiment with different aspects of filmmaking, such as screenwriting, production, or editing, and discover which area excites you most.
We have narrowed down 15 online film programs for high school students based on rigor, networking opportunities, and reputation.
If you are looking for summer film programs, check out our blog here.
15 Online Film Programs for High School Students
Cost: Varies by program; full financial aid available on a need-based system
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; sessions can run from 12 weeks to a year, depending on the format you choose.
Application deadlines: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students
This is a rigorous, fully virtual research program designed for high schoolers. Its Film Track can help you explore the academic side of cinema through a structured, mentored research experience. The program will pair you with a researcher from a top university to help you work with them one-on-one and plan and write an original film-related research paper. Topics can span film theory, media studies, cultural analysis, genre criticism, and the intersection of film with politics, literature, or visual art. During the program, you will meet regularly with your mentor, refine your research question, and build a structured, publishable research paper. You will also learn about research methodologies, literature reviews, and media analysis techniques, and can earn three post-baccalaureate credits and a digital transcript from UC San Diego Extended Studies through Lumiere’s official academic credit partnership.
Cost: $8,008 + $75 online application fee; scholarships are available.
Program dates: July 6 – 31; fall sessions are typically available as well.
Application deadline: Priority deadline: May 11 (also applicable for scholarship applicants) | Regular deadline: June 10
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Offered by NYU Tisch School of the Arts, this four-week online screenwriting program allows high school students to explore the fundamentals of writing for film and television and earn college credit. The course blends asynchronous learning with optional live sessions, allowing you the flexibility to study at your own pace while engaging in hands-on creative work. You will spend 6–10 hours per week completing interactive modules and assignments via the Smashcut platform. Covering various core concepts from screenplay structure to character development and storytelling techniques, the workshop is designed to help you craft and submit a completed short screenplay and a synopsis for a feature film and a TV series. You will also learn through real-time interaction with faculty and peer collaboration across time zones.
Cost: $2,955 + $35 non-refundable application fee; scholarships available
Program dates: July 20 – August 8 (dates for the virtual program; in-person dates vary)
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; scholarship application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12 with a GPA of 3.2+; a TOEFL score of 100+ is required for international applicants.
Hosted by UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, the Emerging Filmmakers: TV Writing program is a structured introduction to professional screenwriting for television and streaming platforms. Here, you will gain experience in pitching ideas, breaking story arcs, and crafting character-driven narratives for an original series. The curriculum focuses on collaboration, real-world industry practices, and hands-on experience, mirroring the pace and expectations of a professional writers’ room. Guided by experienced TV industry professionals, you will follow a structured writing curriculum that includes creating a beat sheet, a visual pitch deck, and the teaser of a pilot episode. Additionally, you will attend a final table read, where professional actors will perform student-written teaser scenes, which will be followed by a networking mixer for students and families. You will also receive a one-on-one portfolio review with a TV professional to plan your creative next steps.
Cost: $8,008 + $75 online application fee; scholarships are available.
Program dates: July 6 – 31; fall sessions are typically available as well.
Application deadline: Priority deadline: May 11 (also applicable for scholarship applicants); Regular deadline: June 10
Eligibility: High school students
NYU Tisch’s Online High School Filmmakers Workshop is designed to introduce high school students to various stages of the filmmaking process, from writing and directing to shooting and editing. This four-week credit-bearing program mirrors the structure of Tisch’s Kanbar Institute of Film and Television and offers you a digital space to collaborate, create, and sharpen your craft. You will work on technical and creative projects, including a documentary, music video, and a final narrative short film that you will write and direct. You will also join a crew-like setup as you work virtually with peers across time zones and geographies, simulating the real-world challenges and excitement of production teams. The program is designed to help you explore screenwriting fundamentals, visual storytelling, and film structure through readings, exercises, and curated screenings.
Cost: $1,990 + $35 non-refundable application fee
Program dates: Multiple start dates available from November to July
Application deadline: Rolling; applications typically close five days before the chosen start date.
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 and up
Directing: Creating your Short Film is a self-paced online course that teaches you how to direct a short film using the tools and resources you already have, no big crew or high-end camera needed. Taught by USC alum Sanford Bookstaver (Dexter: New Blood, Chicago Fire, House MD), the course covers the full filmmaking process, from storyboarding and scene blocking to camera techniques, working with actors, and post-production editing. Over the course of four weeks, you will work through recorded lectures, creative exercises, and real-world case studies. By the end, you will have a fully produced short film that you can add to your portfolio and college applications.
Cost: $1,990 + $35 non-refundable application fee
Program dates: Multiple start dates available from November to July]
Application deadline: Rolling; applications typically close five days before the chosen start date.
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 and up
USC’s online screenwriting course offers high schoolers the chance to learn directly from veteran screenwriter Gabe Sachs (Freaks and Geeks, 90210, Diary of a Wimpy Kid) through recorded lectures, real-world case studies, and weekly creative exercises. You will explore the fundamentals of developing a professional-grade short film script from story ideation and character development to writing visually compelling scenes and crafting dialogue. You will finish the course with a complete screenplay that you can add to your college application portfolio. Although self-paced, the program encourages you to finish in four weeks and includes 90-day access for extended flexibility.
Cost: $50 application fee; tuition: $700 – $16,016, depending on the number of credits
Dates: Spring: January 20 – May 5 | Summer: July 1 – August 12 | Fall: September 2 – December 11
Application deadline: Spring: January 5 | Summer: June 15 | Fall: August 15
Eligibility: Current 11th and 12th-grade high school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
NYU offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to engage in credit-bearing college-level STEAM coursework during the summer as well as the academic year through spring and fall courses, held on campus or online. You can choose online courses in the Arts & Media track, with options typically including Acting for the Camera, Producing Essentials, The Art of Makeup for Film & Television, The Language of Film, Introduction to Dramatic Writing, and Traditions in Narrative: Comedy in America. As a participant, you will attend lectures and engage in discussions to learn filmmaking and production fundamentals and the evolution of the industry. The program also allows you to enroll in the College 101 workshop series, which can help you prepare for college coursework, the admissions and financial aid processes, and application essays.
Cost: $1,822.5; discounts available for military dependents, SAG-AFTRA members, siblings, and returning students.
Program dates: July 20 – August 7
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; early registration recommended to access discounts
Eligibility: High school students; no prior filmmaking experience required.
NYFA’s 3-Week Online Filmmaking Camp is designed for high schoolers who want to dive headfirst into the filmmaking process using the tools they already have at home. Taught live over Zoom by experienced instructors, this program walks you through the fundamentals of directing, writing, cinematography, and editing. Over the course of three weeks, you will receive guidance on shot composition, lighting with natural sources, and using Adobe Rush for mobile-friendly editing. The program also focuses on student-led production of two short films: a continuity film focused on seamless visual flow, and a music/montage project that hones rhythm, editing, and emotional tone. You will focus on visual storytelling rather than dialogue to build mood and narrative.
Cost: TBA; students must provide for their own gear and Adobe Premiere subscription.
Program dates: TBA (three weeks)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
The DIY Filmmaking Online Camp is a three-week online course for high schoolers who want to create films using the equipment they have at home. Whether you work with a smartphone or a DSLR, this program focuses on teaching the core principles of visual storytelling and helping you turn your ideas into short films with creativity and resourcefulness.
Over three weeks, you will dive into the filmmaking process through a blend of live Zoom sessions, independent assignments, and one-on-one office hours with instructors. You will produce a three- to five-minute short video by the end of the course, using skills in screenwriting, directing, cinematography, and editing. In the process, you will also learn how to work with actors, explore lighting and camera movement, and gain insight into post-production using Adobe Premiere.
Cost: $299
Program dates: January 12 – February 8
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Teens in grades 6–12 and adult learners
Screenwriting for Film 101 is a four-week online course designed to help students understand the core elements of cinematic storytelling and develop an original screenplay. The course covers professional screenplay formatting and narrative structure, with a focus on how films build emotional engagement through character, conflict, and pacing. Through guided exercises and film analysis, you will learn what makes a story compelling on screen and how to translate ideas into clear, visual storytelling. You will also explore character development in depth, examining protagonists, antagonists, and character arcs across different genres. Lessons cover how to establish stakes, create meaningful conflict, and design character transformations that feel earned and memorable. The curriculum also introduces genre-specific storytelling techniques, helping you understand how tone, structure, and audience expectations vary across formats such as drama, comedy, thriller, and horror.
Cost: $299
Program dates: January 12 – February 8; additional sessions offered throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Teens in grades 6–12 and adult learners
Film Production 101 is a four-week online course focused on turning a screenplay into a practical, production-ready plan. The course covers the full scope of pre-production and on-set execution, from breaking down a script and designing a visual strategy to budgeting, casting, scheduling, and preparing equipment. You will learn how to translate creative ideas into actionable steps that can be rehearsed, blocked, and captured on camera. The course begins with pitching and development, teaching you how to distill your story into a compelling elevator pitch and outline a basic marketing and distribution strategy. Then, you will explore budgeting, location scouting, hiring crew, and creating shooting schedules and call sheets. Visual planning is a key focus, with the curriculum including guided work on storyboards, shot lists, and the analysis of cinematic styles. Throughout the program, you will receive personalized feedback from a professional artist and get to collaborate with peers online.
Cost: $742.50
Program dates: July 27 – 31
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students, ages 14 – 17; no prior filmmaking experience required
This one-week virtual filmmaking program covers the fundamentals of visual storytelling through live Zoom sessions. You will learn about the craft of direction, basic story structure, camera techniques using your phone or any available camera, and editing on Adobe Rush. Throughout the week, you will work on production exercises and complete assignments during weekday evenings to build skills in shooting and post-production. By the end of the program, you will have written, directed, shot, and edited your own two to three-minute non-dialogue short film that tells a story using only visuals, music, and sound effects. The program also includes peer collaboration and feedback sessions to simulate a real filmmaking environment.
Cost: $299
Program dates: January 12 – February 8
Application deadline: Rolling until spots fill
Eligibility: Teens in grades 6–12 and adult learners
Interlochen’s Film Editing 101, a part of Interlochen’s Filmmaking Certificate track, offers a deep dive into the craft of editing. This four-week online course covers the core building blocks of film editing, from storyboarding and sequencing to pacing, rhythm, and genre-specific techniques. The program also walks you through editing styles used in action, horror, comedy, and drama, and examines the work of legendary editors like Thelma Schoonmaker and Walter Murch. You will explore the evolution of editing, study continuity and shot selection, and complete hands-on projects that adapt to different media formats, including social platforms. The final project involves creating a short, polished video tailored for a social platform. At the end of the program, you will receive a physical and digital certificate and can request an official transcript to potentially earn credit at your school.
Cost: Not specified
Program dates: Four-week course; dates vary
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 18
Online Teen Screenwriting is a live, instructor-led course designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of writing for film, television, and digital media. Over the course of four weeks, you will learn the core building blocks of screenwriting, including story structure, professional screenplay formatting, character development, dialogue, and action writing. The course focuses on storytelling clarity and creative expression across formats such as short films, online comedy sketches, and web series. Classes are designed to be interactive, blending writing exercises, storytelling games, and collaborative workshops to help you generate original ideas and develop them into complete short screenplays. By the end of the program, you will have completed one or more original short screenplays.
Cost: Varies by program
Program dates: Multiple sessions offered throughout the year; summer intensives and extended courses available
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Teens, ages 14–18
SOCAPA’s virtual camps are creative workshops offered to teens in a fully online format, with live, real-time instruction. These camps cover film, screenwriting, music, and acting and are taught by experienced faculty. SOCAPA’s two-week online summer intensives are structured around two daily components: a Main Block and a Creative Lab Block. Here, you will participate in writing roundtables, group projects, peer-led critiques, and final showcase events. You can also choose SOCAPA’s six-week intensives to explore areas like screenwriting in absolute detail.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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