Master in Film and Video (MFA)

Tuition costs 56,074 USD per year.

The Master in Film and Video is a 3-year program at California Institute of the Arts. It's for graduate students who want to achieve technical expertise and gain historical and critical perspective in film and video. The program leads to a Master of Fine Arts degree.

The curriculum includes foundation classes, technical and production workshops, and classes in history, theory, and criticism. Students produce a substantial body of work and meet regularly with faculty. In their third semester, students propose and gain approval for their thesis project, which they complete over the next year and a half.

Graduates can pursue careers as Film Directors, Video Producers, Cinematographers, Screenwriters, or Editors. They can work in the film and video industry, creating content for movies, TV shows, or online platforms.

California Institute of the Arts, located near Valencia in Southern California, is a leading institution for creative education founded with a legacy of innovation in the arts. CalArts encourages experimental practice across disciplines including art, film, music, theater, dance, and animation, and offers a compact, studio-focused learning environment where students develop original work under the mentorship of practicing artists and industry professionals.

The institute promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on learning, supporting individual artistic development with cutting-edge studios, performance spaces, and digital labs. Small class sizes and intensive critique-based courses help students refine their voices and build professional portfolios, while visiting artists, festivals, and partnerships provide exposure to the wider creative industry. Academic advising, portfolio coaching, and career development services support transitions to festivals, galleries, studios, and commercial roles.

International students find a welcoming community and opportunities to participate in collaborative projects, residencies, and public exhibitions that elevate their practice. CalArts fosters a culture of experimentation, critical inquiry, and professional networking, making it a strong choice for creative learners who seek rigorous mentorship, cross-disciplinary exploration, and direct engagement with the contemporary arts scene in the United States.