The South African film industry is in a state of flux, but there are still many opportunities for new filmmakers to get their work out into the world.
The following 35 film schools in South Africa will help provide you with an education that will improve your chances of success.
The List of Film Schools in South Africa
The following are 15 of the most popular film schools in South Africa:
AFDA The South African School of Motion Picture Medium
AFDA is a film school located in Johannesburg. It’s a public institution and offers courses in film, television, and animation. The school has been around since 1994, making it one of the oldest institutions of its kind in South Africa.
AFDA’s curriculum includes courses like cinematography, directing, and editing as well as sound design and music production. Each course lasts three years; during your last year, you’ll get to choose a specialization that’s aligned with your interests (for example, sound design or animation).
The cost of tuition at AFDA varies; it usually depends on your selected course, level of study, and campus. You should expect to spend R107,870. See more payment plans.
Auteus School of Independent Filmmaking
Auteus School of Independent Filmmaking is a film school in Cape Town, South Africa. It was founded by the late John Kani and has since become one of South Africa’s most well-known institutions for film studies.
The school offers courses in both production and studies, specializing in narrative storytelling through documentaries, feature films, shorts and multimedia productions—allowing students to explore various aspects of filmmaking while learning how to produce content that can be used by organizations or individuals alike.
AVEA
AVEA is the only film school in South Africa to be accredited by the International Association of Film and Television Schools (IAFTS).
It offers a variety of courses that include directing, producing, scriptwriting and cinematography. AVEA is also one of the biggest film schools in South Africa, with over 120 students currently enrolled in various courses.
The school is based on the campus of the University of Johannesburg, and its facilities include a full-fledged film studio, sound stage, and editing suites. Students can also take advantage of other facilities on the UJ campus such as libraries and laboratories.
Beyond Borders Film School
Beyond Borders Film School is one of the leading film schools in South Africa, offering a full-time diploma course that will develop your skills and help you get into the industry.
They offer a hands-on approach to filmmaking, with one-on-one feedback from our team of industry professionals.
The school also offers short-term courses for those who want to improve their skills in the above-mentioned fields.
The school was founded by a group of filmmakers who had been working in the industry for several years and wanted to pass on their knowledge and experience to other aspiring filmmakers.
Boston Business College Media Studies
Boston Business College Media Studies is a film school in Johannesburg, South Africa. It’s a private film school offering a variety of courses.
The school has a good reputation and is considered one of the best places to study film in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The school has a good reputation and has produced many successful film students. It is considered one of the best places to study film in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology Film School
Cape Peninsula University of Technology Film School is one of the best film schools in South Africa. The school offers a wide range of courses, including production management, scriptwriting, and directing.
The faculty consists of highly experienced professionals who are passionate about helping students to grow their careers in the film industry.
The university has state-of-the-art equipment that includes cameras and editing software that can be used by students during practical classes.
It also organizes film screenings and lectures by international filmmakers which give students access to knowledge from top industry professionals.
City Varsity Film School
City Varsity Film School is an institution that offers courses in film and television production. The school is located in Johannesburg, South Africa. City Varsity Film School is a private institution.
The courses offered by this school include:
- Certificate In Film And Television Production
- Advanced Diploma In Film And Television Production
Dadla Art & Media
Dadla Art & Media is a film school in Johannesburg that offers a BA in Film and Television Production. It is a private school, but it is accredited by the National Department of Education.
The course takes four years to complete, although students can apply for the Diploma in Film Studies after completing two years of study. In addition to its academic offerings, Dadla also puts on screenings throughout the year both at its campus and elsewhere in Johannesburg.
The university offers short courses, undergraduate degrees, and postgraduate degrees.
Durban Institute of Technology Film School
Durban Institute of Technology Film School is a private university located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The film school is affiliated with the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF).
The program offers a degree that draws on the strengths of both Rhodes University and the Grahamstown National Film School.
It offers practical skills in production and post-production as well as theoretical knowledge in film studies and animation. The Durban Institute of Technology Film School was established as a subsidiary of the Durban University of Technology (DUT).
The school offers a number of courses that allow students to learn about the film industry, including acting and screenwriting.
Rhodes University Film School
Rhodes University Film School is located in Grahamstown, South Africa. Rhodes University Film School offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Film Studies and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Animation and Visual Effects.
SA Film School
SA Film School is a private, non-profit film school located in Johannesburg. The school offers a wide range of courses including acting, cinematography, directing, and editing.
Classes are taught by industry experts from all over the world who bring their knowledge to SA Film School’s students through lectures and practical work on set.
SA Film School also has an online course in film editing that anyone can enroll in – no matter where they live. The course is designed to provide you with practical knowledge so that you can get started on your career as a film editor right away.
Tshwane University of Technology Film School
The TUT Film School is located in Pretoria, South Africa. It offers a BA in Film Studies and a BA in Filmmaking. The TUT Film School also offers a BA Honors in Film Studies, Filmmaking, and Television Production.
University of Cape Town Film School
The University of Cape Town Film School offers two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts in Film and the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film. The former takes three years to complete, while the latter takes four.
Both programs are offered by the Department of Media Studies and Production at UCT, with entry requirements set at NQF level 6 (or equivalent).
The BA degree provides students with an understanding of how film works as a medium, as well as how it interacts with other media forms such as television and gaming. Students will gain exposure to different styles and genres through practical work on set during their final year project.
A wide range of optional modules is available for those who wish to specialize in a particular area such as screenwriting or cinematography, while all students must take compulsory modules such as Fundamentals of Filmmaking and Seminar on Contemporary South African Cinema during their first year at UCT.
University of Witwatersrand Film School
The University of Johannesburg Film School, or UJFS, is ranked as one of the top film schools in the world.
With a long history of producing award-winning films and having a strong reputation for teaching film production and editing, it’s no surprise that it’s one of South Africa’s most popular choices.
Walter Sisulu University for Technology
The Walter Sisulu University for Technology was established in 2005 and is named after South African anti-apartheid activist Walter Sisulu.
The university is located in Mbhashe, Eastern Cape and offers courses in engineering, science, business studies, education and humanities.
It also offers one of South Africa’s highly-rated film schools through its Department of Visual Arts.
If you want to discover more film schools in South Africa, here is a directory listing all the film schools in South Africa
Which film school is the best in South Africa?
AFDA The South Africa School of Motion Picture Medium is generally considered as the best film school in South Africa.
What are some requirements for enrolling in a film school?
There are many requirements for enrolling in a film school. You need to have a passion for the field and an interest in learning about it. You also need to be able to learn on your own and be independent.
You’ll need to have good communication skills and a strong work ethic, so you can keep up with your studies, even when you’re stressed out or tired.
You should also have a creative side—you don’t have to be a great writer or artist yourself, but you should want to be around those kinds of people and learn from them.
If you’re interested in becoming a director or producer, then it’s important that you know how to manage people and projects well. If you want to become an actor or actress, then it’s important that you make sure your acting skills are up to par before entering into any type of program.
How much does it cost to study in a film school in South Africa?
The truth is that the cost of studying in a film school in South Africa varies widely depending on which school you choose and what kind of degree or certificate program you’re pursuing.
Some schools are more affordable than others, and some offer scholarships or financial aid to help cover the costs of your education.
Most of the schools listed in this article do not have their tuition fees displayed on their websites. However, you can contact the school of your choice to find out this information for yourself.
A suitable sum of money you should budget to enroll in a film school in South Africa is R60,000 R80,000 per year.
How long will it take to graduate from a film school?
The time it takes to graduate from a film school depends on the program you choose, but in general, students can expect to spend between three and five years completing their degree.
The most common length of time to complete a film degree is four years, though some schools offer accelerated programs that require less than four years.
In addition to the normal course load and studio work required by a film student, they must also maintain a grade point average of at least C- in order to remain enrolled.
Do you have to be good at math and science to study film?
No, you don’t have to be good at math and science to study film.
It’s true that if you want to pursue a career in film-making or animation, it’s helpful if you’re interested in math and science. You’ll need to learn about camera angles, lighting, and sound design. But there are many other paths open to you that don’t require any of these skills.
In fact, many people who go into filmmaking today have no formal training in math or science at all. Instead, they’ve learned their skills through internships or by working on films with experienced directors who can guide them along the way.
What Courses Can I Study in a Film School?
Most film schools in South Africa offer a wide variety of courses. You can choose from different disciplines and skills, such as directing, cinematography, editing or scriptwriting.
Film schools also offer short-term workshops on specialized topics like lighting or sound design.
Some film institutes are more specialized than others: for example, some focus exclusively on one discipline such as animation while others offer broader degree programs with a choice of subjects such as film studies or communication studies.
Most programs last between three and four years; some shorter courses require less time to complete while longer ones may take five years if you want to graduate with honors (the highest academic award).
How can I Enroll in a Film School in South Africa?
There are a few things you need to know before enrolling in film school. First and foremost, you have to apply. In order to do so, you should have a good understanding of the industry. If not, your application will likely be rejected.
Additionally, it would help if you were passionate about film production and able to write well—or at least well enough to get by. You must also be creative and able to work well with others; if this sounds like something that interests you then applying might be right up your alley.
Wrapping It Up
At the end of the day, there’s no right school for you. It all depends on what you want to study and what your goals are.
If you want to study film in South Africa, then there are many schools that can help you achieve this dream.
The best way to find out which one is right for you is by visiting them and talking with the teachers or students who are studying at those institutions.