AFI Applicants 2025

[shyaboutmyart]

Waitlisted

 

[theblueduck]

Got in for directing! love to connect with other accepted fellows!!

 

[Chris W]

Got in for directing! love to connect with other accepted fellows!!

Start a private thread for AFI in forum below if others haven't yet.

Admitted Applicant Private Group Threads

Create private group threads to meet your fellow future classmates, form a screenwriting group, or anything else. It works similar to GroupMe and only invited members can see the thread or get notified about the thread.

www.filmschool.org

 

[lululicious1]

Waitlisted ;(

 

[Chris W]

Waitlisted

Waitlisted ;(

Wait-listed is still good.

 

[danielani]

Can’t wait to meet y’all. Ngl I almost passed out

 

[Monteurr]

guys how do you plan for the tuition fees?

 

[shyaboutmyart]

Wait-listed is still good.

Unfortunately not for someone like myself. i appreciate the kind words but this is my 2nd time being wait-listed by a top 5 film program, with a stack of rejections. I have come to the realization that I & many others who look like me do not have favor in this sport called film-making, especially w/ the film school route. I have looked at who they have admitted and quickly realized what's happening here. A lot of box checkers lol congrats to em, they have the favor. Cycle after cycle it's the same thing. It's disgusting and discouraging but that's my reality. This isn't a talent or skill issue, it's something so much more daunting than that.

 

[b3nfh7]

Rejected for directing Very sad about this, I felt the interview went great but here we are.

 

[Monteurr]

Unfortunately not for someone like myself. i appreciate the kind words but this is my 2nd time being wait-listed by a top 5 film program, with a stack of rejections. I have come to the realization that I & many others who look like me do not have favor in this sport called film-making, especially w/ the film school route. I have looked at who they have admitted and quickly realized what's happening here. A lot of box checkers lol congrats to em, they have the favor. Cycle after cycle it's the same thing. It's disgusting and discouraging but that's my reality. This isn't a talent or skill issue, it's something so much more daunting than that.

its not fair to think the ones who got admission, admitted because of something rather than their knowledge, sample of works, resume, talent or their interview session!

 

[danielani]

Unfortunately not for someone like myself. i appreciate the kind words but this is my 2nd time being wait-listed by a top 5 film program, with a stack of rejections. I have come to the realization that I & many others who look like me do not have favor in this sport called film-making, especially w/ the film school route. I have looked at who they have admitted and quickly realized what's happening here. A lot of box checkers lol congrats to em, they have the favor. Cycle after cycle it's the same thing. It's disgusting and discouraging but that's my reality. This isn't a talent or skill issue, it's something so much more daunting than that.

I’ll say this much. I would’ve never thought they’d accept a Nigerian immigrant like myself so don’t lose hope. It’ll all work out eventually.

 

[kingofsweaters]

Unfortunately not for someone like myself. i appreciate the kind words but this is my 2nd time being wait-listed by a top 5 film program, with a stack of rejections. I have come to the realization that I & many others who look like me do not have favor in this sport called film-making, especially w/ the film school route. I have looked at who they have admitted and quickly realized what's happening here. A lot of box checkers lol congrats to em, they have the favor. Cycle after cycle it's the same thing. It's disgusting and discouraging but that's my reality. This isn't a talent or skill issue, it's something so much more daunting than that.

I know it’s hard, but I think you’re looking at this the most pessimistic way when really you should be proud that two top programs believe you are good enough and are still considering you.

People get off the waitlist. Your journey is not over. One of our directors this year got off the waitlist the week school started. It’s still possible and clearly to be waitlisted and not outright rejected means they like you and your skills.

This is a hard industry and it’s important to remember that other people’s success does not equal your failure. If anything you can make genuine connections that can bridge their success to yours. It’s not a zero sum game. Process your feelings. Feel them and then look at what’s next. Film school won’t make or break you it’s just a way to improve your craft.

 

[Chris W]

Unfortunately not for someone like myself. i appreciate the kind words but this is my 2nd time being wait-listed by a top 5 film program, with a stack of rejections. I have come to the realization that I & many others who look like me do not have favor in this sport called film-making, especially w/ the film school route. I have looked at who they have admitted and quickly realized what's happening here. A lot of box checkers lol congrats to em, they have the favor.

I don't think "box checking" is how people are selected for this program or any of these programs.

If you haven't been accepted, all it means is that you need to work on your portfolio and personal statement and keep on trying to improve your work. Sometimes it takes a while. These programs are extremely competitive and sadly rejection is something one needs to get used to in this business. Everyone will be rejected quite a bit. It still happens to me - I turn in what I think is an amazing cut and I get a mountain of notes from the network. One needs to try to not take it personally (I know it's hard for me too sometimes) and try to constantly improve ones work.

Article 'After Three Years of Rejection, I Got Into The Two Best Film Schools in The World. Here Are The Five Things I Learned...'

So...you’re applying for film school, huh? I mean, that’s just my assumption. Not sure why you would bother reading this otherwise, especially with where we are currently in The Cycle of Applications. These next couple weeks are pretty much when all the major film school programs have their...

• Septopus7
• Nov 19, 2020
• 11 min read
• 5.00 star(s) 1 ratings
• Reaction score: 33
• Comments: 9
• Reviews: 1
• Category: Applying to Film School
• american film institute application advice application materials screenwriting usc

Also, I'm not sure what you're implying they're basing decisions on by saying "not for someone like myself". If you look at the demographic stats for AFI in our database they're diverse.

Admission statistics for AFI Conservatory ()

Acceptance rate, minimum GPA, SAT, GRE, and demographics of admitted applicants for AFI Conservatory calculated from our database of thousands of film school applications.

www.filmschool.org

Here's a free sneak preview of some of the Supporting Member accepted applicant demographic statistics for AFI: (we only started collecting some of this data last year and it is self reported and voluntary when one adds their application to the database)








You may still get into AFI if enough people don't accept their spot. Don't give up and keep working to improve your work as that is something you'll constantly be doing even when you've "broken in" to the industry.

 

[Chris W]

Here's a free sneak preview of some of the Supporting Member accepted applicant demographic statistics for AFI: (we only started collecting some of this data last year and it is self reported and voluntary when one adds their application to the database)

Remember to log your application when you can as well so all of this data can be improved.

 

[moviemal]

Got in as a directing fellow!

 

[Zhani]

I got in for Producing I am shocked

 

[villainesfilles]

Got waitlisted for producing but I'm happy with that result cuz AFI is so competitive and I think being 22 and right out of undergrad could have had something to do with it

 

[JaredFilms378]

Waitlisted for cinematography

 

[productionapplicant81]

I got in for Producing I am shocked

YESSSS, I’ve seen you around in the other producing threads lol. So happy for you!!

 

[productionapplicant81]

Unfortunately not for someone like myself. i appreciate the kind words but this is my 2nd time being wait-listed by a top 5 film program, with a stack of rejections. I have come to the realization that I & many others who look like me do not have favor in this sport called film-making, especially w/ the film school route. I have looked at who they have admitted and quickly realized what's happening here. A lot of box checkers lol congrats to em, they have the favor. Cycle after cycle it's the same thing. It's disgusting and discouraging but that's my reality. This isn't a talent or skill issue, it's something so much more daunting than that.

I am by no means a “box checker” and I got into every school I applied to, so this is a pretty wild thing to say. I’m very sorry you didn’t get the answer you were hoping for, but that’s no reason to tear down admitted applicants in this thread.