Film Production
Session A (June 22 – July 31, 2026)
Session C (August 3 – September 11, 2026)
To stay up to date please join our interest form and follow us on Instagram at @uclaemergingfilmmakers
Session A (June 22 – July 31, 2026)
Session C (August 3 – September 11, 2026)
To stay up to date please join our interest form and follow us on Instagram at @uclaemergingfilmmakers
The UCLA Film & Television Film Production Summer Institute gives students from across the country and around the globe an unparalleled opportunity to study filmmaking at one of the most prestigious film schools in the world. This intensive immersion filmmaking workshop is intended for beginning and intermediate filmmakers of all ages (18+).
Students immerse themselves in the art and craft of filmmaking by collaboratively producing short films. Under the guidance of UCLA faculty, they engage in hands-on training in directing, cinematography, editing, and production, while honing their skills in creative collaboration. Utilizing professional-grade equipment and working on UCLA’s sound stages, students gain practical, hands-on experience that mirrors the workflows and standards of the film industry.
The UCLA Film & Television Summer Institute shapes the filmmakers of tomorrow right in the heart of Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world.
This program carries 13 quarter units of UC credit. Students in this track are enrolled in the following classes:
FTV 104 Film and Television Symposium (1) – In this weekly seminar prominent guests from the industry share their experiences and answer student questions about their career and working in Hollywood today.
FTV 122D Film Editing: Overview of History, Technique, and Practice (4) – This course discusses the practical application of film editing techniques, how they have evolved and continue to evolve. It examines the history of editing, as well as current editing trends, terminology and workflow. Students work in Premiere.
FTV 122E Digital Cinematography (4) – With lectures, screenings and demonstrations, this course is a study of the principles of digital cinematography and discusses how tools and techniques affect visual storytelling process. Topics include formats, aspect ratios, cameras, lenses, special effects, internal menu picture manipulation, lighting, composition, coverage, high definition, digital exhibition, filtration, multiple-camera shooting.
FTV 179 Digital Film and Television Production (4) – For the first half of the course, students direct and edit their own short film exercises and help each other on set by rotating crew positions. For the final project, students pitch short film ideas and the two story ideas that are selected are green-lit for a two-day production. Students who pitched the selected stories go on to serve as screenwriters. Students interested in directing present a director’s pitch and one director per project is selected. Students are assigned crew positions based on their interests and aptitude. The final project is filmed over two days on a sound stage or at select campus locations.
The program provides digital cinema cameras and lighting equipment, access to facilities, and location permits for campus locations. The program culminates in a final screening of the films in a state-of-the-art theater at the end of the program. Friends and family are welcome.
Due to the intensive nature of the program, a maximum of two program absences are permitted.
In the exclusive Summer Institute Symposium, students from all tracks meet and listen to some of Hollywood’s most accomplished professionals. High-wattage guests have included Eric Heisserer (writer, Arrival); Steven Canals (creator and EP of Pose on FX); Jeff King (Executive Producer of The Umbrella Academy on Netflix); Agents from CAA, ICM, Paradigm, and UTA; Simon Kinberg (Writer/Producer, Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse, The Martian); Zak Penn (Writer, Ready Player One); and many others.
Students and alumni from all Summer Institute tracks are invited to connect during two key networking mixers: the Welcome Event and the Closing Night Celebration.
UCLA Film & Television Summer Institute alumni can be found working in all areas of the entertainment industry. They hold roles as creative executives at major studios like Sony, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, and Disney; write for acclaimed television series including The Wonder Years (ABC), Quantum Leap (NBC), and STICK (Apple TV); and contribute to iconic productions with credits including a Lighting Technician on FX’s Snowfall and a Production Supervisor for Saturday Night Live. Many have gone on to produce and direct feature films, earning prestigious accolades such as a Peabody Award and an Emmy.
This track is open to college students and aspiring filmmakers (ages 18+), including international students.
All students will be required to successfully complete a safety training course before the first day of the program to ensure safe practices while using film equipment and sound stages. Students will be provided ample time to complete this training before the start of the program, and more information will be sent to students once enrolled.
Registration opens February 15, 2026.
Please visit the Summer Sessions website for more information.
Eligible applicants who successfully submit all requirements will be reviewed and notified via email of an admission decision within two weeks. Early application is strongly encouraged.
Solid-State Drive (SSD) External Hard Drive w/ minimum 500GB Storage Capacity Connectivity/Interface: USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt
Examples of acceptable drives:
Film Production – Session A (June 22 – July 31, 2026)
Film Production – Session C (August 3 – September 11, 2026)
NOTE: All course meeting times are in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). The program schedule is subject to change.
Housing is available in the UCLA Residence Halls for an additional cost. To apply for summer accommodations, once accepted into the program, please select from the following housing options and rates and submit an application directly to UCLA Housing. It is highly recommended that you apply for housing early, as applications are approved on a first-come-first served basis.
Financial aid for Summer Sessions is available for qualified UC students. UCLA students can find more details about the UCLA financial aid application process by visiting the Financial Aid section of summer.ucla.edu. UC and visiting (non-UC) students should inquire about financial aid at their home institution.
UCLA Summer Institutes
1332 Murphy Hall
Box 951418
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1418
Tel: (310) 825-4101
Fax: (310) 825-1528