15 Prestigious Film & Animation Internships for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 11 min read
Internships can be a valuable way for high school students to gain early exposure to professional environments while developing practical skills. For students interested in filmmaking, animation, and media production, internships provide hands-on experience, mentorship, and opportunities to build a creative portfolio. Many prestigious film & animation internships for high school students also offer networking opportunities with professionals, which can be helpful when exploring future academic and career pathways.
What are online internships in film and animation? What will I do as a high school intern?
Online prestigious film & animation internships for high school students, in particular, have made these opportunities more accessible and affordable. Students can collaborate with studios, nonprofits, and media organizations regardless of location, while gaining experience in areas such as storyboarding, editing, animation, and production planning. These experiences can strengthen college applications by demonstrating initiative and sustained interest in creative fields.
Below is a curated list of 15 prestigious film & animation internships for high school students based on the rigor of professional experience, prestige of the host organization, and opportunities to network.
Why should I do a film and animation internship in high school?
Participating in prestigious film & animation internships for high school students can help you develop technical and creative skills early. You may gain experience with video editing software, animation tools, storytelling techniques, and production workflows. These hands-on experiences help you understand how creative projects move from concept to final production. Internships also provide early industry exposure. You may work alongside filmmakers, animators, or media professionals and learn how creative teams collaborate. This exposure can help you clarify your interests in filmmaking, animation, visual effects, or media production.
Many prestigious film & animation internships for high school students offer mentorship and networking opportunities. Professionals can provide guidance on portfolio development, college programs, and career paths in creative industries. Finally, selective internships can strengthen college applications. Admissions committees often value students who pursue rigorous opportunities outside the classroom, particularly those who demonstrate initiative, creativity, and long-term interest in a field.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by placement | Financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year (spring, summer, fall, and winter)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort: spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who are able to commit 8–12 weeks and dedicate 10–20 hours per week
The Ladder Internship Program is a selective virtual internship that connects students with startups and growing companies across industries such as technology, media, marketing, consulting, and product development. Through remote collaboration with startup teams, you gain exposure to how early-stage companies build products, test ideas, and scale their operations. During the internship, you may contribute to projects involving market research, content creation, marketing strategy, product planning, or business development, depending on your placement and the company’s needs. These projects allow you to work on real initiatives that support the company’s growth while building professional skills.
Location: Burbank, CA, and Los Angeles County, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid summer internship plus a $5,000 scholarship distributed across four years
Program Dates: Multi-year program with four consecutive summer internships beginning after high school graduation
Application Deadline: Varies by year | Typically in February
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors from Burbank or Los Angeles County with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and plans to attend a four-year college | Approximately 5–6 students selected annually
The Warner Bros. Discovery Reach Honorship Program is an extremely selective, multi-year internship designed to introduce graduating high school seniors to careers in the entertainment and media industry. Beginning the summer after high school graduation, you participate in four consecutive summer internship rotations at Warner Bros. Discovery, gaining exposure to different departments within the studio. Throughout the program, you rotate across areas such as post-production, marketing, and business operations, allowing you to see how major entertainment projects progress from early concept development to global distribution. These rotations provide insight into both the creative and operational sides of large-scale film and television production.
Location: London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo
Cost: Tuition varies by program | Financial aid may be available
Program Dates: Two-week sessions during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions for multiple summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18
The Immerse Education Film and Animation Track is part of the Career Insights Program, which allows you to explore careers in creative industries within major global media hubs. The program focuses on helping students understand how film and animation projects are developed, produced, and distributed in professional environments. During the program, you participate in project-based learning activities that simulate real-world industry workflows. These projects may involve analyzing storytelling techniques, understanding production pipelines, and exploring how creative teams collaborate on film or animation projects. The program also includes in-person weekly 1:1 career coaching sessions and sessions where you will receive personalized feedback on your resume and overall profile. You’ll also present your findings to industry experts at the end of the program.
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,100 stipend upon completion
Program Dates: July 7–August 7
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–11 who live in and attend school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut | Have not completed another internship at The Met
The Met High School Internship Program gives you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Through this internship, you work closely with museum professionals and explore a variety of career paths connected to art, media, and cultural institutions. During the program, you may be placed in departments such as curatorial, education, social media, imaging, or design, depending on your interests and the museum’s needs. These placements allow you to observe how exhibitions are developed, how art is documented and preserved, and how museums communicate with the public. You also participate in structured activities such as cohort meetings, mentorship sessions, and career-readiness workshops.
Location: Washington, D.C. (Smithsonian Institution) + community practicum in students’ home cities
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (stipend provided)
Program Dates: Summer program with a week-long residency in Washington, D.C., followed by a community practicum (July-October)
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors across the United States and Puerto Rico with a minimum weighted cumulative GPA of 3.0 | Be fluent in English | Limited to approximately 24 students
The Smithsonian Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) is a nationally recognized leadership and internship program that introduces high school students to careers in the arts, humanities, and museum fields. Hosted by the Smithsonian Institution, the program is designed to help students develop leadership skills while exploring how cultural institutions preserve history and engage communities. During the program’s Washington Week, you travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in workshops, lectures, and behind-the-scenes experiences at the Smithsonian. These sessions connect you with scholars, museum professionals, and community leaders while providing insight into careers in arts administration, cultural research, and public history.
Location: Museum of the Moving Image, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided upon completion
Program Dates: November–May
Application Deadline: October 17
Eligibility: High school students aged 15+ in grades 11–12 residing in New York City | Limited to 15–20 students per cohort
The Teen Council at the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) is a paid youth leadership and workforce development program designed for students interested in film, media, and audiovisual arts. As part of the Teen Digital Media Innovators initiative, you gain behind-the-scenes insight into how a media museum develops exhibitions, educational programming, and public events. During the program, you collaborate with other students to plan and curate youth-focused events, including film festivals, media workshops, and community programs hosted by the museum. These projects allow you to explore the history and technology of the moving image while gaining practical experience in event planning and cultural programming. You will also receive mentorship from museum media educators, filmmakers, actors, and programmers, who guide you through the creative and operational aspects of working in film and media organizations.
Location: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid opportunity
Program Dates: One-year program (typically fall through spring)
Application Deadline: September 6
Eligibility: Teens aged 14–18 in Los Angeles and surrounding communities
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Teen Council is a youth leadership and advisory program that provides high school students with experience in film education and museum programming. Hosted by the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, the program gives teens the opportunity to contribute their perspectives while learning how a major film institution develops youth-focused initiatives. During the program, you work with museum educators and staff to develop and advise on workshops, programs, and events designed for young audiences. These activities provide insight into how museums curate film-related programming and engage the public with cinema history and storytelling.
Location: MDC Koubek Center, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Paid | $14/hour for up to 144 hours
Program Dates: June–July (five-week program)
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, aged 14+, who are Florida residents and meet work eligibility requirements | Non-residents may receive community service credit hours
The ArtWorks Summer Internship in the Arts is a paid internship that allows high school students to explore careers across multiple creative disciplines, including animation, film, music production, visual arts, architecture, dance and theatre, and creative writing. The program is designed to help students develop artistic skills while gaining practical workforce experience. During the five-week internship, you work Monday through Friday alongside professional artists and educators. Under their mentorship, you collaborate on creative projects and learn how artistic ideas evolve from concept to finished work. These experiences introduce you to professional workflows used in creative industries.
Location: Brooklyn, New York City, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Vary by program | Typically short-term labs or after-school sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–21 in New York City
Reel Works Filmmaking Labs provides high school students with hands-on experience in filmmaking through mentorship and practical workshops led by professional filmmakers. These programs are designed to introduce you to the core elements of storytelling, film production, and post-production editing while working in a collaborative creative environment. Through specialized labs and after-school programs, you may learn skills such as scriptwriting, directing voice performances, sound design, and audio storytelling. Some labs also focus on narrative audio production, where you create immersive soundscapes using tools such as Foley art and sound design while developing bilingual storytelling skills.
Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL
Cost: No cost to attend (travel and accommodations typically covered for selected students)
Program Dates: Typically held in March
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12, ages 13–19, who are legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States or the District of Columbia and have not previously attended the program | Limited to ~100 students annually
The Disney Dreamers Academy is a highly selective leadership and career exploration program hosted at Walt Disney World that introduces students to a range of creative and professional industries, including film, animation, and storytelling. Through the Entertainment and Storytelling track, you gain exposure to how creative ideas evolve into films, shows, and multimedia experiences. During the program, you participate in hands-on workshops led by Disney animators, creative professionals, and industry leaders, exploring topics such as character development, storyboarding, and visual storytelling. These sessions help you understand how narrative concepts move through the production pipeline to become finished entertainment products.
Location: New York City (Bronx), Los Angeles, and London
Cost: Free program
Program Dates: 30-month program with sessions after school, on Saturdays, and during the summer
Application Deadline: Typically in the spring (exact date varies by location)
Eligibility: Ages 14–18 in New York City and Los Angeles | Ages 16–19 in London | Applicants must reside in the respective city
The Ghetto Film School (GFS) Fellows Program is an intensive pre-professional filmmaking program that trains high school students in the creative and technical aspects of cinema. Over 30 months, you engage in a rigorous curriculum covering storytelling, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound design, and film production management. Throughout the program, you participate in hands-on film production projects, learning to use professional equipment and industry-standard techniques to produce multiple short films. These projects allow you to build both technical production skills and a portfolio of creative work. You also visit studios, attend industry events, and collaborate on original film projects throughout the program.
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Small project grants or stipends for film production
Program Dates: Year-round, with intensive programming during the Tribeca Festival in June
Application Deadline: Typically mid-to-late February
Eligibility: New York City residents aged 16–18 who are currently enrolled in high school
The Tribeca Film Fellows Program offers New York City high school students an immersive, year-long experience exploring the craft and business of filmmaking. Hosted by the Tribeca Film Festival organization, the program introduces you to professional filmmaking practices while developing your creative voice as a storyteller. Throughout the program, you participate in technical workshops covering narrative structure, cinematography, editing, and digital storytelling, helping you understand the full film production process. These workshops are led by industry professionals who provide guidance on both creative and technical aspects of filmmaking. You will also receive one-on-one mentorship from filmmakers and media professionals, allowing you to refine your storytelling approach and develop original projects.
Location: Washington, D.C. area (George Mason University)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Typically one week in late June
Application Deadline: Typically late April
Eligibility: High school students across the United States
The PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL) Academy is a competitive journalism and documentary filmmaking program that teaches high school students the fundamentals of visual storytelling and investigative reporting. Hosted near Washington, D.C., the program combines journalism training with hands-on video production experience. During the academy, you learn core skills such as scriptwriting, field reporting, cinematography, and collaborative video editing while working under the guidance of professional PBS producers and media educators. The curriculum emphasizes ethical journalism and responsible storytelling while exploring the role of media in society.
Location: NYU Tisch School of the Arts, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: No stipend
Program Dates: February–May (meets every Saturday)
Application Deadline: Mid-October
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors residing in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut who can commute to NYU’s Greenwich Village campus | You cannot apply to a track you have previously participated in
The NYU Tisch Future Filmmakers Workshop is a highly selective program hosted by the Tisch School of the Arts, one of the most respected film schools in the world. Designed for motivated high school students, the workshop introduces you to the core principles of filmmaking while exposing you to the same rigorous training environment used in Tisch’s undergraduate programs. During the program, you explore essential topics such as film language, narrative structure, cinematography, directing, and post-production editing. The curriculum emphasizes personal storytelling and encourages you to develop original creative ideas through guided instruction and hands-on projects.
Location: Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, and Miami
Cost: $3,000 (Miami five-day session: $2,000) | Need-based financial assistance available
Program Dates: Nashville: May 31–June 6 | Miami: June 23–27 | Los Angeles: July 12–18 | New York: August 2–8
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 who are U.S. citizens | Graduating seniors are also eligible
The GRAMMY Camp Video Production Track is an intensive summer program that explores the intersection of filmmaking and the music industry. Hosted by the Recording Academy, the program teaches students how visual storytelling is used in music videos, live performances, and entertainment media. During the camp, you learn key filmmaking techniques, including multi-camera production, motion graphics, cinematography, and post-production editing. These skills are taught through hands-on workshops led by experienced media professionals and music industry creatives.
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.
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