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Filmmaking, MFA

Become a Complete Filmmaker. Direct, shoot, edit, sound design, and produce projects in multiple modes: narrative, documentary, experimental, animation, and new media.
  • 3

    Each student directs three motion picture projects.

  • 12

    The program accepts 12 new students each year; most courses enroll only 12 students.

  • 100

    The extensive equipment room includes over 100 digital camera packages.

Graduates are prepared for careers such as:

Learn to lead a collaborative team in realizing your artistic vision.

Learn to write, produce, shoot, light, edit, and sound mix digital media.

New media and experimental courses expand outside conventional forms.

The MFA is a terminal degree that qualifies graduates for university teaching positions.

Develop expertise in producing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, and sound design.

program completion feature
program completion feature

Learn To

Develop technical expertise and master cinematic storytelling, expression, and aesthetics

Develop collaborative and commercial networks with peers and professionals

“ I feel such a strong community here. We’re all creative in our own unique ways. ”
Janneke Wade-de Jong MFA in Filmmaking student
Filmmaking, MFA Program Overview

APPLIED LEARNING IN A CREATIVE COMMUNITY

UNCW’s MFA in Filmmaking is an immersive three-year terminal degree program. The comprehensive curriculum includes multi-modal (narrative, documentary, and experimental) workshops in cinematography, screenwriting, editing, sound design, producing, and directing, as well as courses in cinema history, analysis, and aesthetics.

Each student develops technical expertise and a creative voice by directing three film projects, collaborating on projects directed by peers, and developing filmmaking skills in specialized classes, including elective courses in animation and new media (installation, 360 video, VR and interactive media). Students are matched with faculty mentors offering a wide range of experience and expertise.

Students build additional skills and grow their professional network by completing an applied learning project in community outreach, an internship, or other professional collaboration.

The MFA in Filmmaking is part of a thriving film community. The UNCW Film Studies department also hosts an MA in Film Studies program and an active undergraduate Film Studies program. Wilmington is home to EUE/Screen Gems studios, the Wilmington Regional Film Commission, the documentary organization Working Films, multiple production companies, and the acclaimed Cucalorus Film Festival.

Resources and Facilities

University Film Center

  • Large equipment room stocked with full range of camera, lighting, grip, and sound equipment.
  • 4,000-square-foot sound stage with set, lighting grid, and full company power box.
  • Postproduction lab with 20 pro dual 27-inch monitor Mac stations.
  • Sound recording and mixing studio.
  • 70-seat theater with 4K digital projection and 7.1 surround sound.

Kenan Hall

  • New media studio with lighting grid, company power box, and green screen, as well as equipment dedicated to immersive sound and video installation production.
  • Media lab and research space with equipment for volumetric video capture, projection mapping, virtual reality, 360 cinema capture, binaural and ambisonic sound recording, and stop motion animation.
  • Postproduction lab with 20 dual 27-inch monitor Mac stations.

King Hall

  • 175-seat high-definition digital movie theater with 7.1 surround sound.

Equipment

MFA in Filmmaking students shoot assignments and projects on professional-standard digital and celluloid cameras. Narrative cameras are equipped with high quality prime lens sets, follow focus, matte box, and fluid head tripods.

All UNCW students are provided with the Adobe Creative Cloud software suite, which including Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, Photoshop, and InDesign. Post Production labs are equipped with Mac Pro and iMac computers loaded with the software above, as well as Pro Tools, Movie Magic, Final Cut Pro, Izotope RX, Red Giant, and Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve.

Student focusing camera

Sample Courses in Filmmaking, MFA

Check out the courses you can take
FST 501 Advanced Practicum in Cinematography
FST 536 Sound Recording & Design
FST 551 Directing the Narrative Film
FST 552 Directing the Documentary Film
FST 553 Directing the Experimental Film
See The Full Curriculum

Admission Deadlines & Requirements

Information: M.F.A. Filmmaking

Apply Now

  • Complete applications are considered for admission as a group, after the published deadline.
  • Applications received on or before the priority deadline will receive priority review. Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be reviewed through the space available deadline if unfilled positions remain. 

Coordinator

Location/DeliveryMethod

  • Main Campus

Deadlines (11:59 p.m. EST)

  • Fall 2024:
    • Priority Consideration: February 15, 2024
      • Complete application required by priority deadline for teaching assistantship consideration & other support.
    • Space Available Deadline: April 15, 2024

Transcripts

  • One official transcript is required from each U.S. post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Getting Started page for international transcript instructions.

Test Scores

  • None Required

Recommendations

  • 3 letters of recommendation

Additional Requirements

  1. Upload Supplemental Documents After Submission
  2. A Statement of Purpose:   A Statement of Purpose that articulates the goals the candidate would like to pursue in the M.F.A. program. The Statement of Purpose must also include links to creative film or video work uploaded to Vimeo.com, and a description of the work that includes your role in each project, and the date each project was completed.
    Teaching Assistantship: Applicants who wish to be considered for a teaching assistant position should include a paragraph communicating interest, relevant experience, and ways they seek to foster community and inclusion for students of all backgrounds on set and in the classroom.
  3. A sample of creative film or video work:  A sample of creative film or video work. You may submit multiple samples of creative work, but the total running time of all samples must be at least 5 minutes and no more than 20 minutes. All creative work samples must be uploaded to Vimeo.com, with links and descriptions included in the Statement of Purpose. 
    Vimeo.com Information
  4. Work in other media:  Work in other media (i.e. still photographs, audio projects or a written script) may be submitted, but at least one example of filmmaking work is required. The application for graduate admission allows up to three uploads of work in other media, each with a maximum size of 20mb.
  5. An example of academic writing: This may be a anything that you’ve written for a class. There is no page limit; we recommend something at least 5-10 pages long.
  6. Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  7. Differential Tuition: Differential tuition applies to this program.
    Tuition & Fees

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