FILM FORWARD Certificate Program

INFORMATION BREAKDOWN Q&A

Who Is This Program For?

The FILM FORWARD Certificate Program is designed for adults ages 18 and older who are ready to take their filmmaking seriously — whether you’re starting fresh or building on years of creative experience.

This is for students who want a clear, structured path through the fundamentals of film and video production, led by industry professionals, and grounded in skills that evolve alongside the industry. It’s for people who value hands-on learning, creative community, and access to the tools and resources needed to succeed.

Examples of Students Who Will Thrive in This Program

• Aspiring Filmmakers – Those who have always dreamed of making films but don’t know where to start.

• Working Professionals Seeking Career Growth – Creatives in related fields who want to add film production or post-production to their skillset.

• Creative Entrepreneurs & Freelancers – Filmmakers, videographers, or small business owners looking to grow their capabilities and client offerings.

• Artists Exploring Video as a Medium – Visual artists, photographers, musicians, or performers expanding their toolkit to reach wider audiences.

• Students Who Prefer Hands-On Learning – Learners who thrive in a practical, project-based environment rather than traditional lectures.

This program is perfect for anyone who wants a comprehensive, guided path that adapts to personal goals, keeps pace with industry changes, and offers the hands-on experience needed to excel in film and video production — all within a supportive creative community.

What Makes Us Different?

At Austin School of Film, we believe filmmaking is for everyone — but we’re honest: it’s hard work. The biggest hurdles people face are:

1. Access to education – affordable, high-quality, hands-on training.

2. Access to resources – professional equipment, studios, and a creative network.

3. Artist-Controlled Nonprofit - every person at our nonprofit is a working media artist, including our Executive Director.

The FILM FORWARD Certificate Program provides both. This structured track blends real-world training, mentorship, and access to professional production resources — without the debt, gatekeeping, or rigid structure of traditional film schools.

Who Teaches the Program?

We have a rotating roster of educators (also known as teaching artists), carefully chosen not only for their experience working in the industry — on independent films, commercial projects, and large-scale productions — but for their ability to teach and inspire.

Just because someone’s an industry professional doesn’t automatically make them a great educator. We specifically curate instructors who are:

• Passionate about the filmmaking process and their role within it.

• Committed to diversifying the film industry and amplifying underrepresented voices.

• Dedicated to supporting the local economy by training and mentoring the next generation of filmmakers.

When Can I Join?

Enrollment is open year-round — no wait required. You can start at any time, and we’ll help you launch your journey with a customized learning path. While classes run throughout the year, our largest roster is offered in the Fall and Spring, with fewer courses scheduled during the Summer. For the widest selection and best momentum, we recommend beginning in August/September or December/January, when the most classes are released.

Where Should I Start?

We suggest beginning with our foundational courses, which take you step-by-step through pre-production, production, and post-production. Many students start with a MAKE SOMETHING class — our signature project-based workshops that let you immediately apply your skills to a tangible creative project like Digital Filmmaking: Script to Screen.

We understand everyone’s goals are different, so we provide a sample program outline and offer unlimited 1-on-1 consultations to tailor the program to your needs.

What Will I Leave With?

By the end of the program, you will have:

• 3 completed short films and 1 polished script from your 4 required MAKE SOMETHING classes.

• Depending on your electives, additional projects such as music videos, experimental films, or animations.

• A professional portfolio of finished, distributable work.

• Technical skills that keep pace with industry trends.

• A strong network of peers, collaborators, and mentors.

These are not “classroom-only” exercises — they’re festival-ready, real-world projects you can use to launch or grow your creative career.

What Skills Will I Learn, and How Can They Transfer to Other Jobs?

Students gain a comprehensive set of skills in:

• Film production – planning, directing, and managing shoots.

• Video editing – working in non-linear editing platforms, understanding pacing, rhythm, and storytelling.

• Lighting and cinematography – shaping light for different moods, genres, and mediums.

• Sound recording and mixing – capturing clean audio on set and in post-production.

• Camera operation – using industry-standard gear for a range of productions.

• Editing aesthetics – understanding visual language, pacing, and narrative flow.

These skills go far beyond the film industry — video is part of every major industry now. Students have gone on to use their training in:

• Marketing & Advertising – producing brand content, product videos, and social campaigns.

• Corporate Communications – creating internal training videos and external messaging.

• Nonprofits & Advocacy – telling impact stories through documentary and short-form media.

• Event Production – covering live events, performances, and conferences.

• Social Media Content Creation – producing short-form video for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

• Education & Training – developing video-based courses or instructional content.

The ability to plan, shoot, and edit professional-quality video is an in-demand skill across nearly every sector — making your training here both creatively fulfilling and career-flexible.

What’s Included in the Program?

• 10% off all classes for the duration of the program.

• Student-rate membership to Cinemaker Space – $150/month (discounted from $175/month), giving you access to professional studios, equipment, and creative resources.

• Unlimited 1-on-1 consultations for guidance, accountability, and mentorship.

How Long Do I Have to Complete the Program?

You’ll have up to 24 months to complete the 14 required courses and 2 electives from the date you signed up. While the program is designed with flexibility for working adults, the benefit of a structured path is momentum — the more consistently you create, the more you’ll grow.

What If I Want to Work on REALLY Big Productions?

If your ultimate goal is to work on large-scale Hollywood productions, this program is not designed for that direct pathway. Instead, FILM FORWARD is deeply targeted toward independent filmmaking — for people who want to write, direct, and shoot their own films and collaborate on other independent projects.

We focus on nurturing independent voices and keeping independent filmmaking alive — an essential part of the industry. Independent films make up roughly 25–30% of all films screened at major festivals like Sundance and SXSW each year, yet they often operate on budgets less than 1% of studio blockbusters. This sector is vital for innovation, diverse storytelling, and giving underrepresented voices a platform. That said, everyone has to start somewhere. We’ve seen students who began here go on to join local film unions and work on big productions. The skill sets overlap, and learning to make your own work can be a strong foundation for moving into larger productions.

If you know your goal is purely to work on large-scale productions, we recommend also exploring pathways through IATSE Local 484 or other unions, which are tailored to crew positions on high-budget films and television. There’s a big difference between:

• Being a filmmaker who creates their own work (our focus)

• Joining a union to crew on major productions (union training)

Both are valid, and many people do both in their film careers at some point — but this program is intentionally built to serve the independent filmmaker first.

How Does This Reflect Your Mission?

Everything we do is grounded in our mission to make film education accessible and empower diverse voices in storytelling. We believe that like any community, what you put in is what you get out.

We’ll provide the guidance, training, and resources — but your commitment, collaboration, and willingness to keep creating will define your success. If you show up and do the work, you’ll leave with skills, confidence, and connections that last far beyond your time in the program.