Join SFFS for an experience abroad.

Italy - 2024

SF Film School is proud to introduce a First Semester in Italy Program designed to teach and inspire young high school graduates (17 - 22 yrs old) with a project-based, transformative personal development experience anchored into their film school journey.

Taught by an award-winning faculty of industry professionals, SF Film School’s First Semester in Italy provides students with an unforgettable experience, an opportunity for personal and intercultural growth and learning, valuable skills, and college credits.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FIRST SEMESTER IN ITALY PROGRAM BELOW

About the program.

San Francisco, Rome and Bologna Italy are some of the most dynamic and cinematic cities in the world. From Hitchcock and Fellini to Coogler and Guadagnino, some of the most creative and iconic filmmakers have been inspired by these locations.

The program will empower aspiring filmmakers and creatives, or others who want to explore the medium of film, by teaching them core concepts and techniques of non-fiction filmmaking, digital cinematography, and cinematic editing. Supporting these hands-ons experiential classes will be college level courses in Cinema Studies and English.

Earn your AAS degree (and college credits) while attending.

San Francisco Film School is a nationally accredited institution. Students will receive 12.5 college-level semester credits for completing the semester. Students are eligible to use 529 College Savings Plans for this program, as well as, apply for Federal Financial Aid.

Throughout our AAS program, students make their own films, collaborate on classmates’ projects, make industry contacts, and create a body of work that will help them launch their career. The AAS program can be completed in 4 - 6 semesters (16 – 24 months), depending on the number of credits taken per semester.

A semester of immersion.

At the center of the First Semester in Italy Program is a 3-Week immersion adventure in Italy, where students will explore the culture and shoot footage for their film project. The rest of the semester will be held in classrooms at the film school’s downtown campus.

Students will have access to professional filmmaking equipment including Canon 4K cameras, industry-standard lighting and audio equipment, and access to the school’s sound stage. By the end of the semester students will have developed, produced and completed a 5 - 10 minute personal documentary project, which will be shown at an end-of-program screening in San Francisco.

THE BIG PICTURE

What you'll learn, earn and experience:

Filmmaking and how to create a film
Earn 12.5 college credits
Finish an original film
Film Screening

About San Francisco Film School.

The San Francisco Film School is a nationally accredited educational institution specializing in the training and development of film and media professionals. Since our inception, we have dedicated our school to the re-imagination of the film school model, and to building a more creative educational environment.

We nurture the aspiring filmmaker’s aesthetic spark while providing the critical hands-on training necessary to have a successful career in the film, television and new media industries.

Why San Francisco Film School?

You will develop highly sought after skills by making your own films and working on set as a crew member. You will be taught using the most current professional gear and technology available. Our hands-on training and education program is designed to help you land a job in the film industry upon graduation – and we successfully place more than 95% of our graduates in jobs!

Upon graduation, you’ll have the necessary skills to start a rewarding career in film through entry-level jobs like:

Assistant Director
Camera Assistant
Grip
Electrics
Associate Producer
Assistant Editor
Sound Recordist
And more!

After careful consideration, comparing and contrasting the top 20 film schools in the United States, I chose San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking. It has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

As a student I have been afforded many opportunities. I have worked on corporate projects, independent films, and even contracted my own gig as a producer for a fantastic non-profit organization.