MFA in Film

Ideal for highly motivated filmmakers, screenwriters, and media artists who want to expand their bodies of work and professional opportunities without having to pause their careers. Graduates emerge from this flexible MFA program with powerful new work and a more distinctive artistic voice.

Application Info
Upcoming Application Deadline:
Winter 2025 Semester – October 1, 2024 (final deadline Nov. 1)
 
Summer 2025 Semester – April 1 (final deadline May 1)

Applications for Winter 2025 are now open! APPLY NOW.

Residency Dates & Locations:

  • Winter: January 3 – 11, 2025
    Valencia, California
  • Summer: June 24 – July 2, 2025
    Valencia, California

Each semester begins with a nine-day residency packed with events to encourage students, faculty and visiting filmmakers to collaborate and learn from each other. Students are paired with faculty advisors to develop a customized study plan to direct and inspire their MFA in Film.

Connect with Admissions!

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VCFA INFORMATION SESSION

Join us to learn more about our low residency MFA programs and the application process. In this session we will discuss:

  • Overview of VCFA programs
  • What does low residency look like at VCFA?
  • What is expected in a typical semester?
  • What is residency?
  • Learn more about our faculty mentorship model
  • First steps for preparing your application
  • Financing your MFA overview
    Q&A

Visit the event page to learn more and RSVP.

Questions? Please email [email protected].

MFA in Film at VCFA

This two-year program helps students revolutionize the ways motion pictures are created and experienced. Leveraging expert mentorship, innovative production, and critical assessment with self-designed projects in screenwriting, documentary film, narrative film, animation, and new media.

Low-Residency Explained

View Sample Schedule

Semester Work
Damon Davis
Faculty, MFA in Film
Marya Cohn
Faculty Chair, MFA in Film
Daphne McWilliams
Visiting Faculty, MFA in Film
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Program Faculty
The MFA in Film faculty are active and acclaimed artists who bring their diverse perspectives and passion for education to the art and craft of filmmaking.
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Visiting Filmmakers
Each residency features a new group of distinguished visiting faculty and artists–learn more about them here.
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Marq Evans
Visiting Filmmaker
Jackie Chung
Visiting Filmmaker
Zoe Bell
Visiting Filmmaker
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John Valadez, 2019 MFA in Film
John Valadez, filmmaker and the director of the Documentary Film program at Michigan State University, has been making and engaged with film for over 25...
Sara Barger, 2020 MFA in Film
Sara Barger's thesis film, LITTLE BUT FIERCE, advanced to the finals of the 2020 Student Academy Awards.
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Alumnx Stories
Our students and alumnx inspire us every day with their exhibitions, publications, screenings, performances, and teaching, bringing the magic of VCFA out into the world.
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Notable Alumnx Profiles
Jen Gilomen, ‘23
Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellowship Grant recipient for her film DELIVERING JUSTICE. DELIVERING JUSTICE explores maternal mortality and the maternal healthcare crisis in the United States.

"I’m curious about and inspired by people who push ahead to make change on seemingly intractable issues, especially “regular” people who lack power but work to create it for themselves and their communities. These make for classic stories..."
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John Valadez, ‘19
In his expansive career as a long-form documentary filmmaker, Valadez has directed dozens of documentaries on the themes of race and color in America, covering topics such as music, politics, education, and history.

"You use VCFA and use getting your MFA as a way to work, and to explore your own creativity. The more there are African-American and Latino and Asian-American students who go to the program, then the more you’re going to add diverse voices who are well equipped to participate and compete in a media environment..."
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Yerania Del Orbe, ‘20
Yerania Del Orbe’s short film LA SANTERA was an official selection in the 2020 Lady Filmmakers Festival and semifinalist in the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival. Other screenings include the sixth annual Official Latino Film and Arts Festival, La Femme International Film Festival, the 54th WorldFest Houston, Oaxaca FilmFest, and the Katra Film Series Summer Fest.
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“The faculty—this institution—have begun to change the culture of film education. It has been one of the most important things I think I’ve ever done, and I can’t think of a better gift to have given myself.”

– Michael Staffieri | 2017 MFA in Film

MFA in Film FAQs

There are no “classes” in the traditional sense. The curriculum is project-based individualized learning, with all of your academic studies informed by the specific project(s) you choose to undertake. Each semester is 15 credits, and you are expected to devote at least 25 hours per week to your work.

Learn more about our low-residency model.
Your study plan will serve as your roadmap for the semester’s work. At the start of each semester (towards the end of your residency week, with guidance from your advisor) you will write and submit a semester study plan outlining what work you will be completing for each of the five monthly deliverables and your ultimate semester plans/goals. Based on your individualized project scope, your advisor will suggest areas to concentrate on and books, films, and other resources to help supplement your studies.

Learn more about our low-residency model.
At residency you will be asked to pick your top three faculty choices. Assignments are made based on seniority (fourth-semester students getting first priority), but most students will get one of their top choices. In the rare instances that this is not the case, students should know that all of our faculty are tremendously talented and well versed in all aspects of filmmaking; no matter who you are paired with, we are confident you will have a fruitful and positive experience. At residency there is ample opportunity for informal conversation with faculty and scheduled pitch sessions where you sit down with various faculty members, pitch your project idea, and hear how they can help guide and inform your work.

Meet the Film faculty!

Yes. Since we are only on campus for two weeks per year (the residencies are not “making” weeks) and our students are scattered across the globe, you will need the necessary equipment and/or software in order to carry out your semester’s work. The equipment required will vary from student to student depending on their specific projects.