AFI Applicants 2026 - Who's applying? (7 Viewers)

[MatthewCG]

Hey congrats @ryanv! I hope everyone else hears back soon.

Not looking great for me. I still haven't gotten asked to interview. Not the first time I've been rejected from a film school, so, while I'm disappointed, it's alright. I'd love to work with those who get in though. I'm also an actor (here's my reel), and I'm a great AD. I do plan to apply again in the fall. This time earlier than the deadline itself lol.

 

[jordanrosephotos]

I could be mistaken but so far it looks like only people in the Producing track have gotten notified early so far. They may still not notify the rest of us until March 16th.

It's probably because we only have 18 producers in our year and they don't want that to happen again!

 

[Chris W]

It's probably because we only have 18 producers in our year and they don't want that to happen again!

How many are you supposed to have?

 

[jordanrosephotos]

How many are you supposed to have?

24! A few dropped the program.

 

[featherless]

24! A few dropped the program.

would you mind sharing why they dropped the program, if you know?

 

[jordanrosephotos]

would you mind sharing why they dropped the program, if you know?

It's very intense, and that's not for everyone! It's also very focused on your discipline, so if you're interesting in trying other disciplines, there's not many opportunities for that.

 

[featherless]

It's very intense, and that's not for everyone! It's also very focused on your discipline, so if you're interesting in trying other disciplines, there's not many opportunities for that.

thanks for sharing. was wondering if there was drama lol. but yea, that makes sense. AFI’s program does seem especially rigorous, and i can see also how some people would want to dip their toes outside of their discipline.

 

[Chris W]

It's very intense, and that's not for everyone! It's also very focused on your discipline, so if you're interesting in trying other disciplines, there's not many opportunities for that.

Yes I've basically heard that you need to give up everything else in your life - literally - when you're going to AFI. Juggling family and relationships will be challenging to say the least.

Constant work during the week and weekends. And when you're not working on one thing you're working on something else. Not for the feint of heart. But sounds like a blast. I attended one of the info zooms and I remember thinking that I wanted to go back to film school lol. Not because I needed it (i'm working as a union editor) but because it just sounds like fun. Maybe I can go when I'm "retired" lol and my kids are through college lol.

 

[Arbyrnes]

Is the wait killing anyone else?

As Tom Petty said, "The waiting is the hardest part"

 

[Pryde Pierce]

Is the wait killing anyone else?

As Tom Petty said, "The waiting is the hardest part"

Definitely lol! I was there last night for the screening of Slanted. I kept thinking “Just tell me if I got innnnnnn!” Lol.

 

[Arbyrnes]

Yeah, totally! How was the screening? And was anyone from admissions there interacting with you?

 

[Pryde Pierce]

Yeah, totally! How was the screening? And was anyone from admissions there interacting with you?

The screening was good. I actually have a very similar story concept I originated around 2020 so I wanted to see this take on the idea. Slanted was like Mean Girls meets The Substance.

As to admissions, not at all. I went to another of these screenings before my interview. Back then I did the whole walk everywhere, take pics, and even stopped by admissions to say hi. This time I just went straight to the theater and sat down. They do always briefly ask prospective students to raise their hand, but that’s about it as far as any special attention.

What I like most at these events is the very candid talk backs after the movie. The director (2017 AFI grad) was very real about her journey from AFI to directing this 3 mil movie.

 

[Arbyrnes]

Sounds awesome. I almost made it to a screening but got sick and then have had scheduling conflicts with the options since then. Cool to hear the discussions afterward are useful.

 

[David Shotwell]

Speaking as a Screenwriter…

This is the only place I’d want to be. Point blank period. It’s super intense. Great! We’re paying for that. But it’s a school with a massive track visual track record. As such, it’s no surprise that the common classes amongst the cross discipline cohort focus on the image. So why is that good for a screenwriter? Because you learn everything. You’re on set, you’re in the classroom, and if you can make the time you can audit classes outside your discipline. I’m auditing a year one Producing class, a year one Directing class, and a year two Directing class. It’s a lot. This is in addition to making three short films that you write your first year.

Just like learning to act is good for all disciplines, learning how and WHY to create the image is good for all disciplines. And here, you not only get to learn it, you get to make it. Other film schools have nowhere near this level of production. It’s 200 people on a small campus that feels like high school in all the best and worst ways. If you go to usc it’s going to be beautiful and high tech and your WiFi will work. At AFI. You will work. Can’t recommend it enough.

 

[Arbyrnes]

Speaking as a Screenwriter…

This is the only place I’d want to be. Point blank period. It’s super intense. Great! We’re paying for that. But it’s a school with a massive track visual track record. As such, it’s no surprise that the common classes amongst the cross discipline cohort focus on the image. So why is that good for a screenwriter? Because you learn everything. You’re on set, you’re in the classroom, and if you can make the time you can audit classes outside your discipline. I’m auditing a year one Producing class, a year one Directing class, and a year two Directing class. It’s a lot. This is in addition to making three short films that you write your first year.

Just like learning to act is good for all disciplines, learning how and WHY to create the image is good for all disciplines. And here, you not only get to learn it, you get to make it. Other film schools have nowhere near this level of production. It’s 200 people on a small campus that feels like high school in all the best and worst ways. If you go to usc it’s going to be beautiful and high tech and your WiFi will work. At AFI. You will work. Can’t recommend it enough.

Love this. And I’m already sold. I just need them to let me in

 

[jordanrosephotos]

Speaking as a Screenwriter…

This is the only place I’d want to be. Point blank period. It’s super intense. Great! We’re paying for that. But it’s a school with a massive track visual track record. As such, it’s no surprise that the common classes amongst the cross discipline cohort focus on the image. So why is that good for a screenwriter? Because you learn everything. You’re on set, you’re in the classroom, and if you can make the time you can audit classes outside your discipline. I’m auditing a year one Producing class, a year one Directing class, and a year two Directing class. It’s a lot. This is in addition to making three short films that you write your first year.

Just like learning to act is good for all disciplines, learning how and WHY to create the image is good for all disciplines. And here, you not only get to learn it, you get to make it. Other film schools have nowhere near this level of production. It’s 200 people on a small campus that feels like high school in all the best and worst ways. If you go to usc it’s going to be beautiful and high tech and your WiFi will work. At AFI. You will work. Can’t recommend it enough.

hell yeah davidddddd

 

[Pryde Pierce]

Speaking as a Screenwriter…

This is the only place I’d want to be. Point blank period. It’s super intense. Great! We’re paying for that. But it’s a school with a massive track visual track record. As such, it’s no surprise that the common classes amongst the cross discipline cohort focus on the image. So why is that good for a screenwriter? Because you learn everything. You’re on set, you’re in the classroom, and if you can make the time you can audit classes outside your discipline. I’m auditing a year one Producing class, a year one Directing class, and a year two Directing class. It’s a lot. This is in addition to making three short films that you write your first year.

Just like learning to act is good for all disciplines, learning how and WHY to create the image is good for all disciplines. And here, you not only get to learn it, you get to make it. Other film schools have nowhere near this level of production. It’s 200 people on a small campus that feels like high school in all the best and worst ways. If you go to usc it’s going to be beautiful and high tech and your WiFi will work. At AFI. You will work. Can’t recommend it enough.

Thanks for the info about being able to audit other classes. If I end up at AFI in the Fall I’ll definitely look to take advantage of that!

 

[Chris W]

You guys probably got this as well but I got an email that deadlines for Editing and Production Design have been extended:

Good news for future filmmakers ready to take the next step! The application deadline for AFI’s Editing and Production Design disciplines has been extended. You now have extra time to finalize your materials and submit your application by 8:59 p.m. PT (11:59 p.m. ET) on Friday, May 1, 2026.

 

[luckylayda]

Any news? They said notifications would be emailed on March 16th.

 

[Pryde Pierce]

Any news? They said notifications would be emailed on March 16th.

Not yet. It's still 3:16 AM California time though. I'm assuming they'll start rolling out emails starting at 9 AM most likely.