Deadline to register for our January 2026 session is December 26, 2025.
Our beginner filmmaking course — an 8-week, hands-on introduction to the complete process of making a film from concept to screen.
Experimental film — often described as cinematic poetry, a visual fever dream, or art in motion — exists outside the traditional boundaries of storytelling. It’s the foundation of modern visual language, influencing everything from Hollywood films and music videos to fashion campaigns and commercial art. David Lynch’s Blue Velvet drew inspiration from Kenneth Anger, while Dior’s short film campaign was directly influenced by Maya Deren’s Meshes of the Afternoon.
In this award-winning 8-week course, students will explore the history, theory, and practice of avant-garde and experimental filmmaking. Blending creative lecture, film screenings, and hands-on analog production, the course introduces students to the experimental filmmaking process and the tactile craft of working with Super 8 and 16mm film.
Guided by an experienced experimental filmmaker, students will experiment with structure, abstraction, and emotion as storytelling tools — learning to see film not only as a medium of narrative, but as a living, expressive art form. By the end of the course, participants will have created their own experimental Super 8 short film and a 16mm Direct Animation project, bringing analog texture and visual experimentation to life.
Topics covered include:
Understanding the language & methods of experimental cinema
Explore experimental film’s history and connections to the evolution of all forms of motion-picture media.
Analyzing experimental short-form films & filmmakers
Applying experimental techniques to film exercises and projects.
Creating your own original experimental film
Technical Camera Lab: Shooting on Super 8mm Cameras
Resource Slides (for post-class refreshers such as teching a camera, darkroom instructions)
Access to CINEMAKER & additional equipment access to support your film
Film & Friends showcase of final work (with food & drink plus filmmaker Q&A)
This course is designed to foster an understanding of film as both an art form and a means of creative expression.
Outside of Class Commitment: Students are expected to dedicate time outside of class to work on their projects, with support available through various resources offered as part of your course such as camera rentals and booking studio time in our of our production studios.
Student Experience: Students will work collaboratively in small production teams to write, shoot, and edit multiple short films using professional gear. Throughout the course, participants will receive creative and technical mentorship from instructors, guest filmmakers, and peers — culminating in a public screening of their completed work.
WINTER STUDENT ORIENTATION: Join us for an optional but highly recommended student orientation, just before classes begin where Austin School of Film will invite all project-based students for the quarter. This free bonus event is a great way to get familiar with gear check-out, studio access, and connect with your classmates, educators, as well as students from other project-based “Make Something” courses happening this winter.
MORE INFORMATION
Location: This course will be held in multiple locations including The Clayton and CINEMAKER @ The Canopy. All cameras, lighting, and equipment are provided for use during the course. To learn more about our locations, visit this link.
Who Should Attend: Ideal for those interested in art, experimental media, and alternative approaches to filmmaking. Open to ages 18 and up. No experience necessary — beginners welcome!
Supplies & Materials: All supplies are included: Super 8 camera, two rolls of Kodak film, access to additional gear, and use of our editing lab. Students may purchase up to two additional rolls of film (maximum four total) for $32 each.
Course Structure: This hands-on, 8-week course combines lectures, screenings, and studio-based projects to explore experimental film techniques. Students will complete two final works — one Super 8 short film and one 16mm Direct Animation piece.
Damage Clause: Students will be working with real motion-picture film and analog cameras. Respect for the materials and process is essential. Students are responsible for any costs incurred during their film production. While Austin School of Film is not liable for damages resulting from misuse, instructors are committed to supporting each student in completing a film they’re proud of.
Certification: All Austin School of Film courses are certified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.*
HOW CAN I START A PAYMENT PLAN?
Anyone is eligible for a payment plan for any class if they need it! Email us to get started on a payment plan at classes@austinfilmschool.org. We require 50% of the tuition cost at registration and can divide the remaining balance in up to 2 additional equal payments.
Schedule:
Receive a notification when a seat becomes available in this class!
Deadline to register for our January 2026 session is December 26, 2025.
Our beginner filmmaking course — an 8-week, hands-on introduction to the complete process of making a film from concept to screen.
Experimental film — often described as cinematic poetry, a visual fever dream, or art in motion — exists outside the traditional boundaries of storytelling. It’s the foundation of modern visual language, influencing everything from Hollywood films and music videos to fashion campaigns and commercial art. David Lynch’s Blue Velvet drew inspiration from Kenneth Anger, while Dior’s short film campaign was directly influenced by Maya Deren’s Meshes of the Afternoon.
In this award-winning 8-week course, students will explore the history, theory, and practice of avant-garde and experimental filmmaking. Blending creative lecture, film screenings, and hands-on analog production, the course introduces students to the experimental filmmaking process and the tactile craft of working with Super 8 and 16mm film.
Guided by an experienced experimental filmmaker, students will experiment with structure, abstraction, and emotion as storytelling tools — learning to see film not only as a medium of narrative, but as a living, expressive art form. By the end of the course, participants will have created their own experimental Super 8 short film and a 16mm Direct Animation project, bringing analog texture and visual experimentation to life.
Topics covered include:
Understanding the language & methods of experimental cinema
Explore experimental film’s history and connections to the evolution of all forms of motion-picture media.
Analyzing experimental short-form films & filmmakers
Applying experimental techniques to film exercises and projects.
Creating your own original experimental film
Technical Camera Lab: Shooting on Super 8mm Cameras
Resource Slides (for post-class refreshers such as teching a camera, darkroom instructions)
Access to CINEMAKER & additional equipment access to support your film
Film & Friends showcase of final work (with food & drink plus filmmaker Q&A)
This course is designed to foster an understanding of film as both an art form and a means of creative expression.
Outside of Class Commitment: Students are expected to dedicate time outside of class to work on their projects, with support available through various resources offered as part of your course such as camera rentals and booking studio time in our of our production studios.
Student Experience: Students will work collaboratively in small production teams to write, shoot, and edit multiple short films using professional gear. Throughout the course, participants will receive creative and technical mentorship from instructors, guest filmmakers, and peers — culminating in a public screening of their completed work.
WINTER STUDENT ORIENTATION: Join us for an optional but highly recommended student orientation, just before classes begin where Austin School of Film will invite all project-based students for the quarter. This free bonus event is a great way to get familiar with gear check-out, studio access, and connect with your classmates, educators, as well as students from other project-based “Make Something” courses happening this winter.
MORE INFORMATION
Location: This course will be held in multiple locations including The Clayton and CINEMAKER @ The Canopy. All cameras, lighting, and equipment are provided for use during the course. To learn more about our locations, visit this link.
Who Should Attend: Ideal for those interested in art, experimental media, and alternative approaches to filmmaking. Open to ages 18 and up. No experience necessary — beginners welcome!
Supplies & Materials: All supplies are included: Super 8 camera, two rolls of Kodak film, access to additional gear, and use of our editing lab. Students may purchase up to two additional rolls of film (maximum four total) for $32 each.
Course Structure: This hands-on, 8-week course combines lectures, screenings, and studio-based projects to explore experimental film techniques. Students will complete two final works — one Super 8 short film and one 16mm Direct Animation piece.
Damage Clause: Students will be working with real motion-picture film and analog cameras. Respect for the materials and process is essential. Students are responsible for any costs incurred during their film production. While Austin School of Film is not liable for damages resulting from misuse, instructors are committed to supporting each student in completing a film they’re proud of.
Certification: All Austin School of Film courses are certified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.*
HOW CAN I START A PAYMENT PLAN?
Anyone is eligible for a payment plan for any class if they need it! Email us to get started on a payment plan at classes@austinfilmschool.org. We require 50% of the tuition cost at registration and can divide the remaining balance in up to 2 additional equal payments.
This course is sponsored by Kodak Motion Picture Film
ABOUT THE EDUCATOR:
Faiza Kracheni (she/her) is a Mexican Algerian American self-taught media artist and musician hailing from East Austin, Texas. Her artistic journey is defined by non-narrative analog film experiments that merge traditional techniques like hand-developing film and painting onto celluloid with new media, transcending the boundaries of the screen.
Faiza's directorial portfolio includes music videos for a diverse array of artists such as Young Guv, Vosh, Kotunsion, Mujeres Podridas, Don’t Get Lemon. and Single Lash.
With over a decade of experience as an active touring musician, Faiza's latest creative endeavor is the electronic duo "Flesh of Morning." Their debut single "Here in Heaven" was released in 2022, with a full-length album slated for release in 2023/2024.
Her multimedia installation "BORN & RAISED" has garnered acclaim, featuring prominently at SXSW 2023 at the City of Austin Public Library Downtown, as well as an international exhibition in Koscie Slovakia in 2022.
Beyond her artistic pursuits, Faiza is a dedicated advocate for the arts community. She plays a pivotal role at the Motion Media Arts Center, serves on committees for various art organizations including UNESCO Media Arts, and represents District 9 as a City of Austin Arts Commissioner.
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