The thesis film is the crowning achievement of a Fellow’s two-year tenure at the AFI Conservatory and showcases the mastery of filmmaking achieved by Fellows. Thesis production is a rigorous nine-month collaborative process that culminates in the production of a 20-minute film. Idea generation and teaming begins at the end of a Fellow’s first year, and creative workshops begin as early as the summer going into a Fellow’s second year.
Stream hundreds of AFI thesis films and AFI DWW+ films for free on Watch.AFI.com.
Play at AFI FEST
AFI thesis films are showcased each year at AFI FEST. These screenings give AFI filmmakers a unique opportunity to exhibit their films in front of audiences – which include industry professionals – at LA’s premier film festival.
18 Student Academy Awards®
18 AFI thesis and visual essay films have been awarded medals by the Student Academy Awards with 7 films winning the top honors. AFI is the only film school to sweep the Narrative category of the Student Academy Awards. And AFI did it twice – once in 2015 and again in 2019.
2 Academy Award® Wins
AFI thesis films have earned two Academy Awards® and 10 Oscar® nominations.
Watch more trailers on AFI’s official Vimeo Channel and stream hundreds of AFI thesis films for free at Watch.AFI.com.