Full-time, Monday–Friday

1-Year Filmmaking Program

The 1-Year Filmmaking Program for beginners throws you straight into the world of filmmaking — in an international classroom alongside classmates from all over the world. You’ll join workshops with industry professionals, shoot scene exercises, and create short films from concept to final cut. During the program, you’ll choose your path in Directing, Cinematography, Producing, Screenwriting, Documentary, or Post-Production, gaining hands-on experience while building your creative voice. By the end of the year, you’ll have completed films and real credits: you’ll work in your specialisation on a required final film each semester, and you can also crew on other productions (and even try different roles) to build more set experience. Along the way, you can access internship opportunities on real productions, while the best films receive production grants and festival distribution support to take your vision even further.

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Final Films & Practice

Graduate with completed short films (up to 10) and real credits, backed by over 700 hours of practical, on-set learning.

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Specialisations

Choose from directing, cinematography, documentary, screenwriting, production or post-production

Accreditation

Internationally recognised BTEC HNC Certificate in Film & TV

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Internships

Optional on-set experience in film productions and commercials 

What to expect

How It Works: Program & Specialisation

The 1-Year Filmmaking Program is split into two semesters, each with a Teaching Period and a Shooting Period. Semester 1 is intensive and focused on general filmmaking foundations across departments (essential for working professionally), while you also attend extra classes in your chosen specialisation and train in that department’s roles during exercises and shoots. In Semester 2, your specialisation stays the priority, but your timetable becomes more flexible and you can choose more electives to shape an individual study plan. To pass each semester, you must earn a credited role in your specialisation on a final student film, and you can also crew on classmates’ productions—so many students finish with credits on 4–5 films per semester. Throughout the program, you’ll join workshops, studio visits, and hands-on exercises, spend around two-thirds of your time in practical work, and end each semester with a cinema screening of all student films.

 

To see what this looks like in your chosen department, explore the specialisation pages below.

Post-production

Screenwriting

Cinematography

Production

Directing

Documentary

program details

Essential Details

  • Language:English
  • Suitable for:Beginners & international students
  • Schedule: Monday–Friday, approx. 9AM - 5PM
  • Start Date:September and February (see dates & fees →)
  • Certificate: BTEC HNC in Film & TV (read more →)
  • Location:Prague Film Institute, in the historic centre of Prague
What you’ll learn throughout the year

Study Plan

After Graduation, You’ll Be Ready To…

  • Apply for junior roles in your chosen department
    Step onto professional productions with real credits and set-ready workflow
  • Graduate with a strong showreel & portfolio
    Leave with completed films and materials ready for jobs or further study
  • Create independently and collaborate professionally
    Develop and shoot your own projects while working smoothly in teams
  • Submit your work to festivals with confidence
    Know how to package your film, submit it, and plan basic distribution routes

preparing for the program

Before the program begins, there are a few essentials to get ready. This section outlines what you’ll need to bring, what is provided by the school, and what to expect in terms of equipment and basic costs.

What To Bring?

To get the most out of the program, we recommend that all students bring:

  • Portable external drive (minimum 2 TB)
    To safely store and back up your film projects, you’ll need a portable drive with at least 2 TB of storage capacity.
  • Laptop for editing and independent work

    You’ll be doing a lot of post-production on your own device. Your laptop should ideally meet or exceed the following specifications:

    • CPU: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7, M1 (minimum)
      Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9, M2, M3 (recommended)
    • RAM: 16 GB (minimum) / 32 GB+ (recommended)
    • GPU: 6 GB VRAM (minimum) / 8 GB+ VRAM (recommended)
    • Media storage: SSD or RAID (minimum) / SSD, Direct Attached RAID or NAD RAID (10 GbE) (recommended)

    If needed, you’ll also have access to the school’s computers and software.

  • Personal film budget (approx. 5–10 000 CZK / semester)
    As part of our hands-on approach, students are expected to fund their own film projects. We provide filmmaking equipment and a transportation van, but all other production costs are your responsibility. Choose or write scripts that match your available resources — being creative on a budget is part of the learning.
  • Security deposit (5 000 CZK)
    All students are required to bring a refundable security deposit of 5 000 CZK. This amount will be held by the school throughout the duration of the program and may be used to cover intentional or negligent damage not covered by liability insurance, fines for breaking school rules, damage to school property, equipment misuse, parking violations or similar incidents. The deposit acts as an additional layer of responsibility and is fully refundable at the end of your studies, minus any deductions if applicable. 

What is Included

We understand that by choosing to study with us, you’re making a serious financial commitment. Here’s what your tuition fee includes as a Prague Film Institute student:

  • Learning and Training:
    • Lectures, workshops, and masterclasses led by experienced industry professionals
    • All essential teaching materials
  • Qualification:
    • BTEC HNC in Film and Television – awarded only upon successful completion of academic and practical requirements
  • Equipment an Facilities:
    • Access to professional filmmaking equipment and industry-standard editing software (see full list)
    • Free use of school spaces for filming, including green screen and cinema screening room
    • School van available for student productions
  • Industry Experience and Internships:
  • Personal liability insurance 
    To protect you in case you accidentally damage equipment or property during your studies, the school will arrange a personal liability insurance policy on your behalf. 

What is Not Included

  • Language courses:
    • English and Czech language classes are charged separately.
    • English is mandatory only if you do not pass our entry-level test (B2) or cannot provide a valid certificate.
  • Living expenses:
    • Housing, food, local transportation, and daily living costs are not covered by the tuition fee.
  • Travel & visa costs:
    • Airfare, visa application fees, and health insurance are the responsibility of the student.
  • Extra activities (on request):
    • All workshops and classes listed on our website are included in the tuition fee.
    • Additional training or services beyond the core curriculum may carry extra fees if specifically requested by the student.
  • Film production costs:
    • Students are expected to fund their own film projects, including costs for locations, actors, props, catering, and transport.
    • The school provides core filmmaking equipment and access to a transport van.

While these costs are not included in tuition, students often find that living in Prague is more affordable than in many other European capitals.

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