Are you a high school student interested in filmmaking? Summer film programs offer a hands-on way to refine your filmmaking skills. These programs give you access to industry professionals, state-of-the-art equipment, and peers who share your enthusiasm for the art of film. From screenwriting to directing, editing to cinematography, each program gives you the chance to develop new skills. Joining a summer film program also gives you the opportunity to build your portfolio, which can be useful when applying to future film opportunities.
Here’s our list of 13 summer film programs for high school students in 2024-2025.
The UCLA Digital Filmmaking Summer Institute is an intensive, three-week program for high school students that covers the entire filmmaking process, from story development to post-production. You will work with professional equipment, collaborate on projects, and earn UCLA college credit, all while gaining hands-on experience in Los Angeles, the heart of the film industry. The program also includes film screenings, guest speakers, and a Hollywood studio visit, providing a comprehensive introduction to filmmaking.
Eligibility: Students who will be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade by the spring
Cost: $5,728 (housing included). Financial aid available for California students
Program Dates: June 23 – July 13, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: June 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Subject Area: Film Production, Post-Production
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
The Summer High School Filmmakers Workshop is a four-week program at New York University where students collaborate on short films, learning from industry professionals in directing, editing, and storytelling. Although prior experience isn’t required, this is an intensive program designed to provide curriculum at an undergraduate level. You will attend classes and workshops in the morning before working on producing your film in the afternoon. Your final project will be a 3-4 minute film that showcases the writing, editing, and directing skills you’ve developed.
Eligibility: Rising seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are at least 15 years old
Cost: $10,999. Scholarships available
Program Dates: July 6 – August 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: December 2, 2024
Subject Area: Filmmaking, Directing, and Editing
Location: New York University, New York, NY
The University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts Summer Program is a six-week intensive for students aged 16 and older, offering hands-on courses in film production, screenwriting, animation, and more. You will learn from industry professionals and USC faculty, gaining real-world experience while earning college credit. With access to USC's world-class facilities like sound stages, theaters, and production equipment, this program provides a deep dive into the art and business of filmmaking in the heart of Los Angeles.
Eligibility: Students aged 16 and up
Cost: $9,416 (4 units); $18,832 (8 units)
Program Dates: 6 weeks in the summer, specific dates for 2025 TBA
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions, applications open on December 15, 2024 and close on April 30, 2025
Subject Area: Filmmaking, Cinematography, Editing, Directing, Music Video Production, Screenwriting, Computer Graphics/Animation, Game Design, Film Business
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
The Interlochen Filmmaking Summer Program for high school students offers a three-week immersive experience where you will create your own films from start to finish. You will learn screenwriting, production, and editing while collaborating with peers and receiving guidance from industry professionals. With access to facilities like sound stages and projection spaces, you can screen your final projects at the program’s conclusion. Guest artists from the film industry also contribute to the program, making it a unique opportunity to develop filmmaking skills in a creative environment.
Eligibility: Students in 9th-12th grade
Cost: $6,985. Financial aid and merit scholarships available
Program Dates:
- June 22 – July 12, 2025
- July 13 – August 3, 2025
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Subject Area: Production, Post-Production/Editing, Screenwriting, Tech Skills, Film History
Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI
The New York Film Academy's six-week Filmmaking Summer Camp for teens offers an immersive experience where you will learn to write, direct, edit, and produce short films using professional equipment. You will learn essential filmmaking skills such as how to write an engaging screenplay, direct actors, and manage post-production processes. You will receive constructive feedback from faculty and peers throughout the process, which will help you refine your short film.
Eligibility: Students aged 14-17
Cost: $7,325
Program Dates: June 29 – August 9, 2025
Application Deadline: April 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Subject Area: Visual Storytelling, Filmmaking
Location: New York Film Academy, New York City, NY or Los Angeles, CA
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts Filmmaking Summer Intensive is a hands-on program for rising high school sophomores through incoming college freshmen. It offers both beginners and experienced students the chance to develop skills in screenwriting, directing, and digital editing while working on short films. UNCSA has its own movie set called the Studio Village, and you may have the chance to shoot your own film on this set. This program is unique for emphasizing the organizational, analytical, and collaborative skills needed for filmmaking.
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores through incoming college freshman
Cost: $4,809. Full scholarships available
Program Dates: June 23 – July 20, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: May 10, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Subject Area: Screenwriting, Cinematography, Directing, Producing, Digital Editing
Location: University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem, NC
The Georgia Film Academy's High School Filmmaking Summer Camp offers students aged 13-17 the chance to use professional equipment to create short films. You will collaborate in production teams, gaining hands-on experience in film creation and post-production. Actors from the Alliance Theatre will be available to act in your film, and the program culminates in a screening of your work. Hosted at Trilith Studios, this camp is a great opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to learn advanced skills while collaborating with peers.
Eligibility: Students aged 13-17
Cost: No information available
Program Dates: July 22 – 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Subject Area: Filmmaking, Post-Production, Advanced Production, Scriptwriting
Location: Georgia Film Academy, Fayetteville, GA
SFFILM’s Youth Filmmakers Camp offers teens ages 14-18 a hands-on experience in filmmaking, with two program levels for beginners and advanced students. Over two weeks, you will explore screenwriting, production, editing, and more, all while creating your own short films and rotating roles on set. The program culminates in a red-carpet screening of their work. With guest speakers and workshops led by industry pros, this is a great opportunity to learn and collaborate in the heart of San Francisco.
Eligibility: Students aged 14–18
Cost: $1,000 (non-SFFILM members); $950 (SFFILM members). Scholarships available
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
- July 8 – 19, 2024 (Starter Lab)
- July 22 – August 2, 2024 (Advanced Lab)
Application Deadline: No information available
Subject Area: Screenwriting, Storyboarding, Production, Cinematography, Sound, Editing
Location: University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
The Future Filmmakers Camp at HSArts offers young creatives (ages 10+) a hands-on introduction to filmmaking. You will learn key skills in photography, videography, and video editing using professional tools like DaVinci Resolve. With fun, creative projects like shooting dramatic scenes or special effects, you will explore the entire filmmaking process, from concept to editing. The small class size (eight students) ensures personalized attention, culminating in a camp exhibit to showcase your work.
Eligibility: Students aged 10 and up
Cost: $2,028 or $2,340, depending on session
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
- July 1 – 19, 2024
- July 22 – August 9, 2024
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Subject Area: Photography, Videography, Post-Production
Location: San Francisco High School of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
The Interlochen Screenwriting Intensive is a one-week program for high school students to craft original scripts under the guidance of screenwriters and filmmakers. You will participate in workshops focused on storytelling, dialogue, and character development. You will also have the opportunity to present your work in a staged reading. With guidance from instructors and professionals, you will complete a short script that you can add to your screenwriting portfolio.
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
Cost: $1,950
Program Dates: June 14 – June 20, 2025
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Subject Area: Screenwriting
Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI
The California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) Film Program offers high school students the opportunity to learn about all kinds of filmmaking, from narrative to documentary and experimental film. Over the course of four weeks, you will take classes in film theory, production, and post-production, while also viewing and analyzing over 50 films. With hands-on projects and guidance from industry professionals, you will create your own films, preparing you for collegiate-level film studies and creative careers.
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-12
Cost: $4,723 (California residents); $7,187 (out-of-state residents)
Program Dates: TBA for 2025
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Subject Area: Narrative Filmmaking, Documentary Filmmaking, Cinema Theory, Experimental Filmmaking
Location: California State Summer School for the Arts, Sacramento, CA
SOCAPA's Core Filmmaking Camp is a two- or three-week intensive program where teens aged 14-18 learn the ins and outs of narrative filmmaking. You will write, direct, and edit your own films while also working in key roles like Director of Photography or Sound Technician on your peers' projects. With hands-on experience using professional equipment, you will produce multiple films and build skills quickly. In the first two weeks, you will make simple short firms, learning the fundamentals of filming and editing. The final film will be a 4-5 minute film inspired by filmmaker Stanley Kubrick’s work. The camp is offered in New York, Los Angeles, and Vermont.
Eligibility: Students aged 14-18
Cost: Tuition ranges from $2,745 – $3,995, and room and board varies from $1,530 – $2,940
Program Dates: Multiple 2 and 3-week sessions in June, July, and August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Subject Area: Writing, Directing, Cinematography, Sound, Production
Location: Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, and various locations in New York City and Vermont
13. Summer Film Camp
This Summer Film Camp in La Cañada, California, offers an immersive, hands-on experience for kids aged 9-15 to explore filmmaking. Over the course of a week, you will learn essential skills in writing, directing, cinematography, and editing, taking your film from concept to final cut. In the screenwriting class, you’ll learn how to write a 3-act narrative, while the editing course will teach you how to use Adobe Premiere Pro CC. With professional equipment and personalized instruction, you will collaborate on projects, culminating in a screening at the La Canada Playhouse.
Eligibility: Students aged 9-15
Cost: $799 (early bird); $845 (standard); $880 (late)
Program Dates: July 28 – August 1, 2025
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Subject Area: Production, Screenwriting, Directing, Cinematography, Editing
Location: La Canada High School, La Canada, CA
Bonus—
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and on college applications. Apply here!
Subject Areas: STEM, Economics, International Relations, Philosophy, Political Theory, History
Location: Virtual
Application Date: November 10, 2024 for the winter cohort, and February 9, 2025 for the spring 2025 cohort
Program Dates:
- The winter seminar starts on December 2, 2024, while the spring seminar starts on March 3, 2025
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.