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Start Your Film Career Today

Alumni Network:

89%

job placement rate

9*

months to finish

Learn how to start your career in film today

Why Film School

1. Save Time.

Spielberg. Scorsese. Tarantino.

Filmmakers who have dedicated endless amounts of time to studying and practicing the craft to show the world the highest form of mastery and bring stories to life. Filmmaking, just like any other skill such as painting, creating music, or athletics can require anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 hours of practice.

In exchange for tuition, film schools give you the tools you need to succeed by teaching you practical skills you need to start your career.

2. Alumni Network.

Film schools provide a network of intelligent and hardworking collaborators who are interested in the film industry. You will gain access to valuable contacts across the industry from Broadway teaching artists to award-winning directors, film schools can help you learn the skills you need to prepare for your career in the industry with industry professionals.

In addition to resources at the school, you also gain a network of alumni who work at top companies across the industry (NFI alumni work or have sold content to companies such as Netflix, Disney, Hulu, and more!).

3. Real Practice With Mentorship.

Film schools provide experts in the field to mentor you and help you learn from mistakes quickly. Film classes also provide a structure that help you build upon your skills - no matter your skill level - so you can learn the foundations of filmmaking with professional-grade camera equipment and studios.

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1. 89% Job Placement Rate

89% of our students find jobs in the film industry upon graduation.

We know it is important for you to start your career in film. With our immersive curriculum and faculty who are industry professionals in the film industry, NFI provides students with rich perspectives on current trends and technology used in film learned from real world experiences of current producers, writers, editors, actors, stylists, and more.

2. Take Only Film Classes.

No Calculus. No Chemistry. No Spanish.

*NFI offers 3 different programs: 9-month Cinema Production Program, 9 Month Cinema Production Program (Hybrid) and 24 Month Occupational Associates Degree in Cinema. Every class at NFI is focused 100% on Film.

Why NFI

About NFI

“I am a Veteran of the U. S. Army serving my country for four years. After I left the military, I decided I wanted to take a leap and do something different. That’s why I chose NFI to use my creativeness to tell my story through film. NFI has definitely helped me along in my transition into civilian life, helping me to funnel my talent in a productive and hands on way!”

“I was an English teacher for 20 years before I decided to make a change and start living my own dreams. The film industry has always interested me in that it’s the best way I know to tell stories. NFI is giving me all the tools I need to start telling my OWN stories! Look out world, I’m on my WAY!”

- Tracey Hague, NFI Alumna

- David Rose, NFI Alumnus

46%

students are 25+

89% job placement after 9 months of hands-on training from industry professionals. No prior film experience needed.

“From a early age, the art of motion pictures had always captivated me. I pursued cinema on my own for many years, but the ambitions of youth can only take one so far. I wanted to turn my childhood dreams into a sustainable living, and that’s where I found Nashville Film Institute. Through NFI, I was truly able to bring that vision to life. I now am the co-founder of a video production company and working full time in the film industry.”

- Tyler Whitaker, NFI Alumnus

- Father of Tyler Manuel, NFI Alumnus

“At Nashville Film Institute, Tyler was able to find his passion and connect it in a way that made sense and worked in the real world. He was able to take the skills he had learned at NFI and apply them in the film industry and make a living at it — in just a few short months — because of his own hard work and what he learned at Nashville Film Institute.”

- April Clary, Mother of NFI Alumnus

“Within three months after graduation, my son was working full-time in the field, six-days-a-week — even turning down jobs. What he loved about NFI is that it was hands-on and a nine-month program, and it worked. He is the success story.”

“Of the 58 cast and crew members on the set of Father, Son & Holy Moses!, the NFI grads stood out as a powerful force. They had all of the ingredients a producer looks for. They were the hardest working. [NFI Alumni] Michael Butts, our Director of Photography, never hesitated to get the extra angle or take to ensure each scene reached its max potential. He was on his feet for three 12-hour days in a row and was always positive. All their training translated to production effectiveness. [NFI Alumni] Sammy Pendergrast, 1st Assistant Director, was confident and decisive on the set. When diminutive Sammy yelled ‘Quiet on the set!’ everyone knew who was in charge. Lastly, NFI grads were versatile. [NFI Alumni] DeMoyne Culpepper was the Script Supervisor on Day 1 and an extra in the classroom on Day 2. She changed gears seamlessly and even offered to come back on Day 3 in a different role. For my next feature film, I’m going to contact NFI first as I build my crew!”

- Mitch Emoff, Writer/Producer Laughter For Soul Productions Group Leader, Nashville Filmmakers Meetup

“NFI has created a wonderful environment for serious filmmakers to learn the practical skills needed for production activities. I have had the pleasure of working with several students and find them to be motivated, talented, and passionate about their industry and profession.”

- Kelly L. Frey, MS, JD, “The Film Guy”

Nashville Film Institute (NFI) was founded in 2009 and was recently named one of the top 25 film schools in the US & Canada (2023) - the only school in Tennessee to receive this prestigious honor.

With small classes sizes, NFI empowers students to network with each other and get to know the NFI faculty (who are all actively involved in the film industry). NFI students complete their own film projects through the Cinema Production Program and many students often help other classmates with film projects giving a wide range of experiences.

With a campus in the heart of one of America's fastest-growing cities, Nashville, Tennessee, NFI offers a unique experience unlike any other film school.

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54%

just graduated high school

	Cinema Production Program	Cinema Production Program (Hybrid)	Occupational Associates Degree in Cinema	Traditional College
Time in School	9 Months	6 Months Online and 3 Months in School	24 Months	48 Months
Non Film Classes (ex: Calculus, Chemistry, Spanish, etc.)	❌	❌	❌	✅
Time before first film class	Day 1	Day 1	Day 1	Typically 2nd or 3rd year
Only Classes Related to Film	✅	✅	✅	❌
General Education Courses related to film	❌	❌	✅ 5 General Eds	❓
Hands on Experience in Filmmaking	✅	✅	✅	❓
High Film Career Placement Rate	✅ *89%	✅ Not Yet Reported	✅ Not Yet Reported	❓
Film Diploma	✅	✅	✅	✅
Associate Degree	❌	❌	✅	✅
Ability to Apply for Roles that Require a Degree	❌	❌	✅	✅
*Cinema Kit Costs (Or Equivalent)**	*Black Magic 4k Camera ($2000)	*Apple MacBook Pro and Black Magic 4k Camera, Rode Microphone and Tripod. ($4000)	*Apple Macbook Pro and Black Magic 4k Camera ($3500)
Cost	$23k	$25k	$41k	$200k+

In our 24-month Occupational Associate Degree (OAD) in Cinema, get ready to take classes in: cinematography, sound for film, film studies, screen writing, producing, editing, directing, production design, music video production, commercial production, and more (both).

The 24-month program has more in-depth courses and includes 5 General Eds which are also film related including classes like: cultural anthropology, psychology, etc. which are tailored specifically to film.

Unlike traditional film schools, there will be no unrelated topics or useless credit hours. We believe in getting our students immersed in the film industry and out of the traditional classroom. With our accredited core filmmaking curricula focused on practical application and skill building, we want you to get into the field, on the set, and behind the camera in our hands-on classroom.

3. 9 Months. Not 4 Years.

College can easily cost $200k+ and 4 years of lost income. With NFI, you'll spend less and start earning earlier!

Again, NFI has an 89% placement rate for our Cinema Production Program. For the most up to date information follow this link to the Tennessee Higher Education Commissions.

4. Scholarships, Financial Aid, and Veteran Benefits for Those Who Qualify.

Contact us today and we can walk you through scholarships and other forms of federal financial aid for those who qualify including Veterans Education Benefits from the GI Bill® for qualifying veterans and their dependents for both our Cinema diploma and occupational associates degree programs.

NFI participates in the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Loan programs and accepts the GI Bill®. Note The GI Bill® may cover both living expenses and the cost of tuition. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

NFI’s Cinema Production Program is approved by the Tennessee State Agency for training veterans and their eligible dependents. Qualifying individuals may use veterans education benefits.