Master of Fine Arts in Film
The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Film program is a professional three-year program of study for talented individuals seeking advanced training in directing, screenwriting, producing, cinematography, editing and motion picture sound. Additionally, students will acquire a thorough understanding of film history, theory and criticism.
The M.F.A. is a terminal degree and is designed for students who wish to work as independent film artists, enter the film industry, or teach at the college or university level.
What's Special about OHIO's Film Programs?
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Film Facilities and ResourcesOur main facility is located in the center of uptown Athens at 31 S. Court Street, but the School of Film will have a new home with the renewal of Seigfred Hall on the Arts + Education Green.
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(opens in a new window)The Athena CinemaThe Athena Cinema is one of downtown Athens' unique historic treasures, with a mission to bring the finest independent films to Southeastern Ohio and create a shared space for dialogue.
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(opens in a new window)Athens International Film + Video FestivalFounded in 1973, the Athens International Film + Video Festival (AIFVF) has been a premier platform for showcasing international cinema for over 50 years.
Courses & Curriculum
View Courses & Requirements in the Official Academic Catalog (opens in a new window)
The M.F.A. in Film program moves from a foundation-building first-year core sequence to increased specialization in the second year and culminates in a third-year thesis production.
The integrated first-year courses in production, screenwriting, sound, directing, digital editing and film studies complement the development of a first-year creative portfolio consisting of short narrative film(s), and directing and editing exercises.
In the second year, students have access to specialization classes in cinematography, screenwriting, directing, post-production editing and sound design, while continuing to build their creative portfolios by directing narrative and/or documentary film(s).
The third year is devoted to additional elective coursework, thesis completion, and defense.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The vast majority of graduate students in the School of Film receive some level of funding. Funding comes in two forms — tuition waivers and graduate stipends.
Ready for the Next Step?
Admission Requirements
- Résumé or curriculum vita.
- A maximum 500-word personal essay on your goals in pursuing graduate study in film.
- A maximum 500-word personal statement.
- Three current letters of recommendation.
- A sample of written work consisting of a paper or papers on any subject (e.g., research paper, article, critical analysis)
- Examples of creative work (e.g., filmmaking, screenwriting, creative writing, work from another medium)
- 2-3 minute screenplay – exterior locations only, no dialogue.
International Students
This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program. View English Language Proficiency Requirements.
How To Apply
Deadline for application is February 15 for entry into the program in the following Fall Semester.
Because certain core courses must be taken in sequence, admission to all graduate programs in the the School of Film is restricted to Fall enrollment.
Related Programs
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Master of Arts in Film StudiesThe M.A. in Film Studies takes a broad approach to film studies in the humanities, with the aim of nurturing innovative and rigorous scholars who can use their experience at OHIO to enter doctorate programs or find careers in the field.
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Interdisciplinary Arts Ph.D. Scholar TrackThe Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Arts Scholar Track is a program that educates scholars and scholar artists to dissolve the boundaries between specific academic and artistic disciplines in the creation of new knowledge.
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Interdisciplinary Arts Ph.D. Scholar Artist TrackThe culmination of the Interdisciplinary Arts Ph.D. Scholar Artist Track is the production of an integrated scholarly/creative dissertation that is partly a written dissertation and partly a body of artistic practice.