While there are many informal requirements to become a filmmaker, a bachelor’s degree in film and television production is a must to start your journey. Choosing the right school out of these famous film schools in Florida will surely be difficult but we’re here to guide you through.
Filmmaking is one of the most empowering industries with an emphasis on always developing its talent. Furthermore, your own skillset is transferable, meaning that you can also be in a position to teach or coach and work in the industry at the same time.
List Of Film Schools In Florida
we’ve come up with this list of good schools in Florida with extensive details that will provide you with an opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to work in the field, as well as gain experience with projects and establish industry contacts.
University of Central Florida (Orlando)
The University of Central Florida is a film school in Orlando Florida. With more than 220 degree programs in 13 colleges, UCF provides an education for the future, today. The BFA program in theater provides you with the first-hand knowledge and skills required to succeed within the industry. With five tracks available, you’ll have an opportunity to study in a discipline that aligns with your professional and personal goals.
- Eligibility Criteria: A minimum of 4.25 Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Duration: 4-years.
- Fee Structure: $19,077 (Residents)/ $35,177 (Non-residents)
- Contact: admissions@ucf.edu / +1 (407) 823-2000
- Visit here: www.ucf.edu
University of Miami (Coral Gables)
The University of Miami has a film school in South Florida located in Coral Gables, Miami. In addition to its excellent location, it is also home to what we consider to be the best film program in the state. Through the School of Communication, students can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications while choosing from the other screenwriting. You can also earn a minor in Motion Pictures here.
- Eligibility Criteria: High School Graduation or Equivalent certificate.
- Duration: 3-years.
- Fee Structure: $68,128 – $81,902
- Contact: kkontaxis@miami.edu / +1 (305) 284-6382
- Visit here: www.miami.edu
Florida State University (Tallahassee)
Florida State University (Florida State or FSU) is a public research university in Tallahassee, Florida. It is not just one of the flagship public universities in the State of Florida, but home to one of the best film schools in the state. According to their website, 97% of FSU Film graduates are working in the film industry within a year of graduating from the program. Florida State University has been officially designated as a preeminent research university in the state by the Florida Legislature as a result of having met a set of rigorous benchmarks.
- Eligibility Criteria: Decent SAT/ACT Scores.
- Duration: 3-years.
- Fee Structure: $9789
- Contact: admissions@fsu.edu / +1 (850) 644-6200
- Visit here: admissions.fsu.edu
University of Tampa (Tampa)
It’s a medium-sized private university with a gorgeous campus. The University of Tampa offers BAs or BFAs in Film and Media Arts. The BFA program combines classroom work with hands-on instruction that gives you the perfect balance for when you enter the profession. Students have several opportunities to get valuable exposure to the profession through workshops and screenings of student films, not to mention being connected to a thriving alumni base.
- Eligibility Criteria: A high school graduate with college preparatory curriculum including a minimum of 18 academic units is required.
- Duration: 3-4 years.
- Fee Structure: $31,000.
- Contact: admissions@ut.edu / +1 (813) 253-3333
- Visit here: www.ut.edu
Jacksonville University (Jacksonville)
The film program at JU prides itself on having its students double-major while studying; screenwriters also may choose to earn a second bachelor’s degree in creative writing, directors may double-major in Theater Arts. The faculty at JU is composed of many working professionals who have decades of production experience that they bring to the classroom. Many JU Film alumni have gone on to work for leading networks, production companies, and world-class directors.
- Eligibility Criteria: 3.8 weighted high school GPA, Combined SAT Score of 1290.
- Duration: 3-4 years.
- Fee Structure: $24,000
- Contact: helpdesk@ju.edu /+1 (904) 256-7200
- Visit here: www.ju.edu
Lynn University (Boca Raton)
Lynn University is one of the best film schools in Florida. Studying at Lynn will equip you with the classroom knowledge and practical skills necessary to begin your journey as a filmmaker. Whether your interest is in casting and conception or more focused on screenwriting, direction, or cinematography, you can learn it from the talented faculty at Lynn. Lynn also offers students several study abroad trips that can enrich their educational experience.
- Eligibility Criteria: Decent ACT/SAT scores, Letter of recommendation from a high school counselor/teacher.
- Duration: 4-years.
- Fee Structure: $55,250
- Contact: admission@lynn.edu / +1 (561) 237-7900
- Visit here: www.lynn.edu
Palm Beach Atlantic University (West Palm Beach)
Palm Beach Atlantic University offers a world-class education in Cinema Arts, but it also happens to be one of the top Christian schools in the state, as well. The students here learn screenwriting, film production, and post-production by producing their own films then screening them for feedback. Students can also minor in Film Production while attending Palm Beach Atlantic. Graduates from PBA go on to have successful careers in film production, television production, and screenwriting.
- Eligibility Criteria: Official High School Transcripts, a decent ACT/SAT score.
- Duration: 3-years.
- Fee Structure: $26,000.
- Contact: pbacampusstore@bkstr.com / +1 (561) 803-2000
- Visit here: www.pba.edu
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Valencia College, West Campus (Orlando)
It is the best film school in Florida. The Film Production Technology Associate in Science (A.S.) degree at Valencia College is a two-year program that prepares you to go directly into a specialized career in the film industry. Nationally recognized for making students employable, the program provides training for entry-level positions in six major areas of film production. All classes are hands-on and are taught by professional filmmakers to help students find work directly on the field.
- Eligibility Criteria: High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Duration: 2-years.
- Fee Structure: $6,000.
- Contact: enrollment@valenciacollege.edu / +1 (407) 582-1507
- Visit here: www.valenciacollege.edu
Miami International University of Art & Design (Miami)
Miami International University of Art & Design is a private, for-profit university in Miami, Florida. It offers a full-time course in Filmmaking that provides the opportunity to learn hands-on with digital video cameras, editing, and graphics software. You will also get to know about various stories in media ranging from broadcast news to motion pictures. Hence, this curriculum will take you from the basics to more advanced courses in a creative atmosphere that is competitive at the same time.
- Eligibility Criteria: High school transcript or high school equivalency certification.
- Duration: 3-years.
- Fee Structure: $20,000 approx after financial aid.
- Contact: miuadmissions@aii.edu / +1 (800) 225-9023
- Visit here: https://www.artinstitutes.edu/miami
Full Sail University (Winter Park)
Full Sail University is one of the best film production schools in Florida along with the University of Miami. It offers campus and online degree programs that are designed for the world of entertainment, media, arts, and technology. Its Digital Cinematography bachelor’s degree outfits you for this changing landscape by pairing knowledge of the latest technological tools with a strong foundation in storytelling.
- Eligibility Criteria: Verification of English proficiency if English is not your primary language.
- Duration: 3-4 years.
- Fee Structure: $88,000.
- Contact: username@fullsail.edu / +1 (800) 226-7625
- Visit here: www.fullsail.edu
Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota)
Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD) is a private art and design school in Sarasota, Florida. Their nationally-ranked Film degree at Ringling College gets you industry-ready. Boldly tell your story through narrative or choose our new branded entertainment track. Learn to write, produce, direct, edit, and so much more. Students can focus on narrative film or branded entertainment, it’s their choice.
- Eligibility Criteria: Secondary School Report, official copy of your transcript, letter of recommendation, a minimum 2.0 of combined academic grade point average.
- Duration: 4-years.
- Fee Structure: $50,000 (after financial aid)
- Contact: info@ringling.edu / +1 (941) 351-5100
- Visit here: www.ringling.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Is Florida good for Film?
A degree in film, video, and photographic arts is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #64 out of 368 on the popularity of all such degrees in the nation. For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools in Florida to determine which ones were the best for film, video, and photographic arts students pursuing a degree.
When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 1,249 degrees in film, video and photographic arts during the 2019-2020 academic year. So yes, Florida is definitely good for film.
2.Is Film School worth the money?
Filmmaking is a strange beast, and there’s no other art form quite like it. It involves the culmination of not just creative prowess but also technical expertise. Throw in the need for extreme organization and planning skills, good communication.
Even the ability to draw up financial plans, and it’s easy to see how overwhelming it can be for someone just starting out. But once you get a hang of it, I’m sure you’ll be successful.
3.Is UCF a good film school?
The bachelor’s program at UCF was ranked #114 on College Factual’s Best Schools for film list. It is also ranked #4 in Florida. During the 2019-2020 academic year, the University of Central Florida handed out 129 bachelor’s degrees in film, video and photographic arts.
Due to this, the school was ranked #25 in popularity out of all colleges and universities that offer this degree.
4.Is FSU Film School hard to get into?
In FSU, the College of Motion Picture Arts majors have limited access. They admit around 10 transfer applicants per year with around a 7-12% acceptance rate. As you can already see it’s a selective program, it is important to have a backup plan.
To Summarize
We know how big of a task it is to select an appropriate college for you to get in. Eligibility criteria, scores, fees, budget- there are so many things you can’t ignore. Hence, we’ve come up with this article that entails extensive details about each college, starting from its performance appraisal to contact details. We’ve backed you up with all that you need.
So, buck up and start shortlisting your favorites now, good luck!