AFI Applicants 2025

[theblueduck]

I also wanted to share that I was rejected three times from Mexico’s national film school and was turned down for all filmmaking grants and funds for three years in a row. I had to take on debt and work two jobs to finance my short films. But after years of effort, I’m finally here! Wishing everyone the best on their journey and artistic pursuits—stay passionate!

 

[Chris W]

Congrats everyone! Don't forget to log or update your applications no matter what the decision is. Be sure to select "post as update" while saving and it'll go to the top of list.

Application Database

A database of thousands of film school applications to calculate acceptance rates to film programs and the minimum GPAs, minimum SAT and GRE scores, experience of accepted applicants, and much more....

www.filmschool.org

 

[pmj]

Congrats all! I’ll be going to USC for Production but would love to work/collaborate with all of you since we will be pretty close to each other in location. Feel free to shoot me a message on here and we will exchange IG’s.

Looking forward to seeing you all around town!

 

[michaelcgray]

Hi everyone, I’ve been keeping up with the thread since the application deadline. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability and updates along the way. Today I found out I was waitlisted for cinematography.

AFI was the only school I applied to so I’m disappointed by the result. Like most of you I will confirm my spot on the list and take proper precautions in terms of federal financial aid in the event I get in after the June 24th update. Rejection is always difficult to face, but more often than not, it’s a redirection towards growth and transformation. Even in the midst of the government cuts of the DOE and current crisis in the Federal Student Loan sector, I’m remaining hopeful there will be an opportunity to attend for Fall 2025. Wishing you all well and congratulations to those who were accepted!

 

[jordanrosephotos]

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

I created a private thread for admitted applicants! I invited everyone here who said they got in. Excited to meet everyone!

 

[writergirl957]

Waitlisted but hope to meet some of you IRL as I'll likely be attending UCLA for Screenwriting and taking myself off the AFI waitlist! Congrats to all who got in!

 

[oddcoddbro]

I got accepted as a screenwriting fellow. Really pitched fondness for writing horror-comedy projects. I'm looking forward to meeting you all!

 

[JaredFilms378]

Does anyone know if someone gets off the waitlist, can they still be offered a scholarship? Or are they only offered to those initially accepted

 

[shyaboutmyart]

As someone who has already gone to a top 10 film, graduate program and experienced extreme racism and bigotry, I spoke from a place of frustration earlier. So for that, I want to apologize publicly. I had no right to take away a happy moment from others in the midst of my own disappointment. I could individually address what was mentioned to me one by one but I’m sincerely tired. I let my emotions get the best of me and that was out of line. I have to constantly remind myself that I’m not the only one with a story. I’m not the only one who has faced immense challenge and rejection. Congratulations to the admitted and to the non admitted “keep pushing”.

 

[Chris W]

I let my emotions get the best of me and that was out of line.

Feeling frustrated is understandable. I know it's a disappointment to not get accepted outright but a wait-list means they saw something in your application that they liked. It's possible people will not be able to attend for any myriad of reasons so you may come off of the wait-list. Give yourself some grace. Tomorrow is a new day.

I'm very sorry to hear that you experienced racism. Did you not finish that program and that's why you applied to AFI?

 

[Monteurr]

As someone who has already gone to a top 10 film, graduate program and experienced extreme racism and bigotry, I spoke from a place of frustration earlier. So for that, I want to apologize publicly. I had no right to take away a happy moment from others in the midst of my own disappointment. I could individually address what was mentioned to me one by one but I’m sincerely tired. I let my emotions get the best of me and that was out of line. I have to constantly remind myself that I’m not the only one with a story. I’m not the only one who has faced immense challenge and rejection. Congratulations to the admitted and to the non admitted “keep pushing”.

Yes, the most important thing is to keep pushing—the show must go on!
Last year, I was accepted into AFI just like this year, I got in with a $20,000 scholarship. But I couldn’t secure my F1 visa. Why? Because I’m Iranian. Iranians, due to the policies of the Islamic Republic, face significant challenges in obtaining EU and the US visas. I had two choices: withdraw or fight back. Of course, I chose to fight.
But now, the situation is even tougher. Compared to last year, Iran’s national currency has lost nearly 60% of its value against the dollar. This year, I need to secure almost $50,000 in scholarships or funding—otherwise, I’ll have to give up on my dream once again.
I’m sharing this because we all face struggles, challenges beyond our control, imposed on us by external forces. But we have no choice but to keep going, keep fighting, and keep striving.
If you get knocked down five times, stand up six.

 

[shyaboutmyart]

Feeling frustrated is understandable. I know it's a disappointment to not get accepted outright but a wait-list means they saw something in your application that they liked. It's possible people will not be able to attend for any myriad of reasons so you may come off of the wait-list. Give yourself some grace. Tomorrow is a new day.

I'm very sorry to hear that you experienced racism. Did you not finish that program and that's why you applied to AFI?

My story is so crazy , it hasn’t even been a full year since I’ve been gone from that program. I didn’t even want to leave, but they made it impossible for me to stay. It all went downhill when I shared with my dean that I was waitlisted at USC. I told them because they gave me a scholarship and I didn’t want to disrespect them by just leaving. From that moment, I faced punitive grading practices, racism, bigotry, hostile environment from my cohort, and it was just impossible to be a student. The reason why I applied to AFI was because one of my classmates was rejected and he recommended that AFI would be a better program for me. I had someone that sits on the chair at USC, Write my letter of recommendation I had improved my GPA to a 3.6 graduate level. USC waitlisted me with a 2.2 undergrad. lol I had talked to alums and no one had ever heard of someone once being waitlisted then rejected after. normally after your waitlisted you’re admitted the next cycle. My letters of recommendation were extremely strong. I got better as a filmmaker, my grades improved. It just doesn’t make any sense. So I’m just in a place right now where I feel discouraged. Even in the midst of me feeling discouraged I have no right to take that moment away from others. I’m just honestly drained. I worked on 24 films in one year because of the way the program is designed. So my creative portfolio was stacked. What also hurts is that this August would be my graduation date so I’m just battling a lot of emotions right now . I asked my professor who is a ASC member for mentorship and he refused because of my race . All I ever wanted to do was make my program better and be a better filmmaker. It was just a awful experience for me.

 

[shyaboutmyart]

Yes, the most important thing is to keep pushing—the show must go on!
Last year, I was accepted into AFI just like this year, I got in with a $20,000 scholarship. But I couldn’t secure my F1 visa. Why? Because I’m Iranian. Iranians, due to the policies of the Islamic Republic, face significant challenges in obtaining EU and the US visas. I had two choices: withdraw or fight back. Of course, I chose to fight.
But now, the situation is even tougher. Compared to last year, Iran’s national currency has lost nearly 60% of its value against the dollar. This year, I need to secure almost $50,000 in scholarships or funding—otherwise, I’ll have to give up on my dream once again.
I’m sharing this because we all face struggles, challenges beyond our control, imposed on us by external forces. But we have no choice but to keep going, keep fighting, and keep striving.
If you get knocked down five times, stand up six.

Amen

 

[pandaexpresss]

i got in for cinematography! i'd love to talk to any other international students, have a ton of questions hahah

 

[Chris W]

i got in for cinematography! i'd love to talk to any other international students, have a ton of questions hahah

Congrats! Be sure to update your application and choose "post as update" when saving.

There's also an AFI accepted applicant private thread if you want to check in with people there.

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

 

[CamilleDab]

Hey ! Got in for cinematography too !

 

[AlesjaS]

Got in Directing. See you soon!

 

[productionapplicant81]

As someone who has already gone to a top 10 film, graduate program and experienced extreme racism and bigotry, I spoke from a place of frustration earlier. So for that, I want to apologize publicly. I had no right to take away a happy moment from others in the midst of my own disappointment. I could individually address what was mentioned to me one by one but I’m sincerely tired. I let my emotions get the best of me and that was out of line. I have to constantly remind myself that I’m not the only one with a story. I’m not the only one who has faced immense challenge and rejection. Congratulations to the admitted and to the non admitted “keep pushing”.

I totally get feeling frustrated and this is really kind and thoughtful of you. Respect, respect, respect. I have also experienced constant rejection (from schools, jobs, fellowships, you name it) since the strikes two years ago, and I know how much that disappointment can really mess with your head. I’m really, really sorry again that this didn’t go your way, and I hope you get in off the waitlist.

 

[Marimfruy]

I’m a little late to the thread, but I was accepted for the Producing Program! I am very happy, but still waiting for scholarship details to determine if I will be attending. Unfortunately, AFI is extremely expensive

 

[carm17111]

hey, got accepted for directing would love to connect.