I don’t usually leave reviews, but I feel this could genuinely help someone. When I was considering film schools, I wish I had found a comment like this. So here’s my honest take. It is important to note that I went to Prague few years ago so things might have to change for the better or the worse. This is a personal opinion and review, my collegues had different opinions, I've heard people calling the school shit and a scam, to people calling it the best film school and the world and a life changing experience. For me, it's somewhere in the middle, not the best and surely not the worst, I do not regret the time I spent there and I learned some important stuff about filmmaking. It's going to be a long review so try to stay with me
The Value of Film School
First, I believe in the idea of attending a film school—any film school. Even if it’s not the best, there’s something unique about being in an environment entirely focused on filmmaking. It’s about the immersion: everyone around you is making films, your classes revolve around cinema, and your daily life is centered on creativity. It’s a space to experiment, make mistakes, and grow. For some, it could even lead to making a career-changing project.
About Prague Film School (PFS)
Now, onto Prague Film School specifically.
- Strengths:
- PFS is very practical. They hand you a camera, teach you the basics, and encourage you to go out and shoot.
- The equipment is decent: Blackmagic cameras at first, and later Red and Arri.
- Some of the teachers are excellent (I had a great camera teacher and a solid directing instructor).
- It’s ideal if you’re looking to dive into hands-on filmmaking with minimal theoretical distractions.
- Weaknesses:
- It’s a for-profit school, so the fees are high.
- The quality of teaching is inconsistent. While some instructors are great, others are less so—and a few are outright bad.
- Resources are limited compared to prestigious film schools. There are no big studios or substantial funding for projects.
- It lacks the prestige and industry connections of schools like FAMU (the renowned Czech national film school), which makes a difference in Europe, where reputation matters.
My Experience
I attended the semester program and produced two short films with almost no budget and tight deadlines. Both were selected for several B-class film festivals, which felt like a big win. However:
- PFS doesn’t guide you toward making the type of polished short film that could change your career or land in top festivals.
- It’s great for learning technical skills and getting a lot of practice in a short time.
- Coming from a theory-heavy Master's program, it was refreshing to dive straight into production, but it lacked the depth of preparation and mentorship that prestigious film schools provide.
(Basically, my friends who went to Colombia, Femis, UCLA, London Film School, had big chances when it came to get their films selected in A class film festivals. Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, Clermont Ferrand,... It's safe to say that mine were close to none. That's something that usually is not written on the website of the any film school but it plays a role.)
What to Expect
- International Environment:
- The school is extremely international, with many students from the US and India. This can be good for diversity, but it also leads to some cliques based on nationality and varying levels of seriousness.
- In my semester group, many students were less focused, though the year-long program seemed to attract more committed individuals.
- Practical Approach:
- PFS pushes you to work fast, sometimes with unrealistically short deadlines. While this can feel stressful, it teaches you to adapt and deliver under pressure.
- If you’re interested in cameras or lighting, PFS excels in those areas (or did when I was there).
- Limitations:
- The school doesn’t offer financial aid or funding for your projects.
- There’s little emphasis on building a long-term community or network, especially if you’re not staying in Prague after the program.
Who Is It For?
- Perfect for someone who wants to experiment, learn the basics, and get hands-on experience before committing to a prestigious program or industry job.
- Ideal for technical roles like camera or lighting, where the focus is on learning tools and workflows.
- Not recommended if you’re looking for a reflective, research-heavy education or a polished portfolio film backed by extensive resources.
Final Thoughts
Prague Film School isn’t the best, but it’s not the worst either. It’s practical, focused, and provides a solid introduction to filmmaking. That said, its international and for-profit nature limits its prestige and depth. If you’re aiming for top festivals or long-term industry credibility, a more prestigious school like FAMU or others in your home country might be a better choice. The Czech Film industry is not that huge in case you are planning to stay there.
For me, it was worth it: I learned technical skills, met interesting people, and created short films that opened some doors. But I recognize its limitations. If you have the money and want hands-on practice, PFS could be a good fit. Just know that it’s ultimately what
you put into it that matters. If you want to make films in your own country, it’s often better to choose a film school there. This way, you can build a local network and community, something I couldn’t fully achieve in Prague, as both my colleagues and I eventually left the city. That said, if attending film school isn’t an option, you can still learn and create films independently. However, I’m a firm believer in the value of film schools. There’s something unique about being in an environment where filmmaking is the focus of every conversation, class, and interaction—it pushes you to grow and live immersed in the art of cinema every single day.