Film Forward.
A guided pathway through independent filmmaking — for new and emerging filmmakers ready to commit to the work.
100+ hours of hands-on training. 11 core classes + 2 electives. $75 to enroll, 10% off every class, up to 24 months to complete. Pay-as-you-go — no upfront tuition.
We're not a college. We're something different.
Just because it isn't traditional doesn't mean it isn't valuable.
Film Forward is a different kind of pathway — structured, hands-on, and built by working artists for people who want a real education in independent filmmaking. It's also zero-risk by design: no upfront tuition, no four-year commitment, no debt walking out. Pay-as-you-go for the classes you choose, when you're ready for them.
We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Every person here is a working media artist, including our Executive Director. We believe in access without barriers — and in the magic that happens when a door opens for someone who needs it open.
This is what access without barriers looks like — small classes, real gear, working-artist instructors, and a community that grows when people make things together.
A real film school education. Built around your life.
Learning by doing. From day one.
Every class results in real work — a finished short, an edited reel, a recorded scene. The "MAKE SOMETHING" approach is the whole pedagogy.
Small cohorts for project-based classes. 8–12 for workshops. Real attention from instructors, real collaboration with peers, no getting lost in the back row.
Unlimited consultations with our Education Team for course planning, accountability, and feedback. Book as many as you need — there's no cap.
3 completed shorts + 1 polished script baked into the required MAKE SOMETHING classes. Plus more projects from your electives. You leave with a portfolio, not just a transcript.
A real portfolio. Real skills. Real community.
3 completed short films
From your 4 required MAKE SOMETHING classes. Plus a polished script you can shop, shoot, or rewrite into something bigger.
Bonus projects from your electives
Music videos, experimental shorts, 16mm tactile work, animation — depending on the path you build.
A portfolio that earns work
Real, distributable pieces. The kind that gets you booked, hired, programmed, and into festivals.
Skills that keep up
Production, editing, lighting, sound, camera, screenwriting — taught by working artists with current industry context.
A network that holds up
Peers, collaborators, mentors. The kind of creative community that turns into your next crew, cast, or co-conspirator.
A TEA-certified certificate
Continuing Professional Education credits recognized by the Texas Education Agency. Real, documented training.
11 core. 2 electives. Four tracks.
Build a strong foundation.
Post-production essentials.
Creative media intensives.
Foundation & post-production essentials must be completed first.
Film electives.
Specialized areas of interest — go deeper or try something new.
Working artists. Not academic placeholders.
Our instructors are filmmakers, editors, cinematographers, screenwriters, and producers actively making work right now. We curate them carefully — for their industry experience AND their ability to teach and inspire.
(Because being great at film doesn't automatically make someone great at teaching it.)
In the work, right now
Independent films, commercial projects, large-scale productions. They know the work because they're in it — and they bring current set context into the classroom.
Diversifying who tells stories
Actively committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and broadening who gets to make work. We pick instructors who share that commitment.
Rooted in Austin
Dedicated to supporting Austin's independent film economy. Training and mentoring the next generation here — building the ecosystem, not extracting from it.
More than just classes.
10% off every class
Applied to every course you register for as a Film Forward student. The discount pays for the registration fee in just a few classes.
Discounted Cinemaker membership
$150/month (regularly $175) for access to professional studios, equipment, and creative resources at our Cinemaker Space.
Unlimited 1:1 consultations
Ongoing mentorship, accountability check-ins, and guidance from our Education Team — book as many as you need.
Year-round enrollment
Start when it's convenient. Classes run year-round with the largest rosters in Fall and Spring — quarterly start dates throughout the year.
If this sounds like you...
Aspiring filmmakers
You've always dreamed of making films but don't know where to start. Film Forward gives you the map.
Working pros leveling up
Creatives in adjacent fields who want to add film or post-production to their toolkit and client offerings.
Creative entrepreneurs
Freelancers, videographers, and small business owners looking to expand their capabilities and broaden what they can offer.
Artists going visual
Visual artists, photographers, musicians, performers — expanding their medium to reach new audiences and tell new stories.
Four steps in.
Review the program
Skim the curriculum, what's included, and the FAQ below. Make sure it lines up with your goals.
Enroll for $75
Sign up and pay the one-time registration fee. That unlocks your 10% class discount and certificate status.
Book your starter consult
Meet with our Education Team to build a personalized schedule that fits your goals, life, and pace.
Register for classes
Use your Film Forward discount to sign up for the courses you picked. Show up. Make stuff.
✦ Please allow 2–5 business days for enrollment processing after Step 02.
Need a different way in?
Need a scholarship? Artist Access Program.
Earn up to $2,000 in education funds toward our classes — plus a full year of Cinemaker Studio membership and on-site job training. A 6-month earn-and-learn opportunity for emerging artists.
- Up to $2,000 education fund toward classes
- 1-year Cinemaker Studio membership included
- ~10 hours/week · 6-month term
- Applications open July 1 – August 15
Artists in Motion
A residency program for artists developing a specific project. Studio access, mentorship, and creative space to make the work.
Learn more →Two Artists × Six Months
A guided program for emerging artists with a clear creative vision and a project they're ready to develop.
Learn more →Got questions?
How much does the whole program cost?
Total program cost runs between $4,000 and $5,500, depending on which Creative Media intensives and electives you choose. Individual classes typically range from $355 to $750.
The structure is pay-as-you-go — you only pay for the classes you register for, when you register. No upfront tuition commitment. Plus you get 10% off every class once you're enrolled, so the registration fee pays for itself within a few classes.
Need financial support? Check out our Artist Access Program — it can offset up to $2,000 of your tuition.
When can I start?
Enrollment is open year-round — no waiting period. Start any time, and we'll help you launch with a customized learning path.
Classes run year-round with the largest rosters in Fall and Spring. For the widest course selection and best momentum, we recommend beginning in August–September or December–January, when the most classes get released.
What if I want to work on big Hollywood productions?
If your ultimate goal is only to crew on large studio films, this program is not designed for that direct pathway. Film Forward is built around independent filmmaking — for people who want to write, direct, and shoot their own work and collaborate on other independent projects.
That said: the skills overlap. We've had students go on to join local film unions and work on bigger productions. If your sole focus is union crew work, look into IATSE Local 484 alongside (or instead of) this program.
There's a real difference between being a filmmaker who creates their own work (our focus) and joining a union to crew on major productions. Many people end up doing both at different points — but this program is built to serve the independent filmmaker first.
What skills transfer to other careers?
Video is part of every major industry now. The ability to plan, shoot, and edit professional-quality video is in demand across:
- Marketing & advertising — brand content, product videos, campaigns
- Corporate communications — internal training, external messaging
- Nonprofits & advocacy — impact stories, documentary, short-form media
- Event production — live events, performances, conferences
- Social media content — TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
- Education & training — video-based courses and instructional content
Your training here is both creatively fulfilling and career-flexible.
What if I just want to take a class without the certificate?
That's completely fine — and welcomed. Every class is also open to non-certificate students. No application, no commitment, pay per class.
How does this program reflect your mission?
Everything we do is grounded in making film education accessible and empowering diverse voices in storytelling. We're an artist-controlled nonprofit — every person here is a working media artist, including our Executive Director.
What you put in is what you get out. We provide the guidance, training, and resources — your commitment, collaboration, and willingness to keep creating define your success.
This is your stepping stone.
Skip the wait. Enroll for $75, book your starter consult, and start picking your first classes — we'll meet you wherever you're at.