15 Paid Film and Animation Internships for High School Students
For high school students exploring potential careers, internships provide an opportunity to develop practical skills, discover workplace tools, and establish connections with mentors who can offer guidance. You gain industry exposure, helping you test your career interests before committing to a college major.
Why should I do a paid film and animation internship in high school?
Paid film and animation internships allow you to work alongside professionals, contribute to projects, and develop technical skills like editing, animation software proficiency, and storyboarding. Paid internships are typically selective, which makes them a valuable addition to your college applications and resume. The mentors you meet can write recommendation letters for your college applications and connect you with future job or internship opportunities. An internship is also a good way to build a strong portfolio of completed work.
To make the search easier, we’ve put together a list of 15 paid film and animation internships for high school students.
1. Arts for Learning (A4L) Artworks Internship
Location: MDC Koubek Center, Miami, FL
Stipend: $13/hour
Dates: 6 weeks from June to July
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: Current 9th – 12th graders who are Florida residents and at least 14 years old
The Arts for Learning ArtWorks Internship is a paid summer program for high school students who want to build artistic and professional skills. Over six weeks in the summer, you work at the MDC Koubek Center alongside a professional artist in the creative discipline you choose. Internship tracks include visual art, animation, architecture, dance and theatre, music production, and creative writing and film. You spend your time producing original work while learning essential workforce skills. Arts for Learning staff provide guidance and mentorship throughout the experience and focus on helping you develop both artistic technique and career readiness.
2. Teen Council Program
Location: Museum of the Moving Image, NY
Stipend: Paid, amount not publicly disclosed
Dates: November – May
Application Deadline: October 17
Eligibility: High school students ages 15+ and enrolled in 11th or 12th grade as of Fall
The Teen Council Program is a paid job-development opportunity for NYC students interested in media arts and museum work. As a participant, you collaborate with other teens to curate public events such as film festivals and media workshops. You will receive mentorship from filmmakers, actors, media educators, and museum programmers while learning how a media museum operates behind the scenes. Each year, 15 to 20 council members help shape youth-focused programming at the Museum of the Moving Image. The role includes hands-on experience in organizing events and supporting museum operations. You gain project management skills while exploring the museum’s history and technology.
3. Met Museum of Art High School Summer Internship
Location: The Met Museum of Art, NY
Stipend: $1,100
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer between July and August
Application Deadline: Typically, early March
Eligibility: Grade 10-11 high school students residing in and attending a high school or home school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
The Met Museum of Art High School Internship allows you to gain real work experience in a major cultural institution. As an intern, you will learn from museum professionals working in areas such as curatorial research, social media, design, education, and imaging. The program is designed to help you identify where your own interests connect with the museum world. You will develop professional skills through small-group interactions and one-on-one mentorship. You also join teen-focused events like Teen Fridays, which encourage creativity and peer connection. The experience allows you to explore how museums support art, audiences, and community engagement.
4. Brooklyn Interns for Arts and Culture (BIAC)
Location: Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: Paid, amount not publicly disclosed
Dates: Summer: one week in August; Fall: October – December; Spring: February – June
Application Deadline: June 3 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising seniors attending high school in one of the five New York boroughs (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, or the Bronx) with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher
Brooklyn Interns for Arts and Culture (BIAC) is a paid readiness program that prepares you for college, careers, and life after high school. As an intern, you explore behind-the-scenes operations at BAM and learn what goes into running a performing arts venue. The program introduces you to arts management while helping you build a professional resume and a post-high school plan. Workshops also focus on wellness practices to support major life transitions. You receive individual assistance with the college application process. The experience helps you develop communication skills and expand your professional network.
5. BRIC Youth Media and Curatorial Fellowships
Location: BRIC, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $15/hour
Dates: October – May
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: New York high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (ages 15 – 19)
The BRIC Youth Media Fellowship and the BRIC Youth Curatorial Fellowship allow you to work behind the scenes on major youth-driven arts events at BRIC. The program is paid and requires you to choose one focus area: curating visual art or producing media. Youth Curatorial Fellows develop a teen-focused gallery exhibition featuring artwork from local high schoolers. Youth Media Fellows produce Concrete Stories, an annual showcase of short films created by NYC youth under age 21. Through either track, you participate in the planning, preparation, and presentation of creative work. The fellowship supports you in building skills in curation and event production.
6. Fresh Films Weekly Filmmaking Program
Location: Available in 34 locations/Virtual
Stipend: Paid, amount not publicly disclosed
Dates: January – May; Tuesday/Thursday after school
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 13 and 19
Fresh Films offers a weekly, project-based filmmaking experience where you learn how stories are made from concept to final edit. Each Tuesday and Thursday after school, you will develop technical skills with cameras, lights, and sound by working with a production crew. The program includes four major projects: a music video, a How-To video, a documentary with well-known professionals, and a short film produced with Sony Pictures. Throughout the sessions, you interact with industry specialists who expand your understanding of creative careers. The program is available in numerous cities and online. You finish with a strong portfolio showcasing your work.
7. Art Institute of Chicago Teen Council
Location: Art Institute of Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid, amount not publicly disclosed
Dates: September 13 – June 6
Application Deadline: June 30
Eligibility: Teen students enrolled in Chicagoland high schools
The Art Institute of Chicago Teen Council invites 15 creative and passionate youth artists, leaders, and organizers to participate in improving how the museum serves local youth. As part of a small cohort, you help shape programs that reflect the interests and needs of Chicagoland teens. You will receive mentorship from museum professionals as you gain insight into cultural institution work. The experience includes behind-the-scenes access and interaction with the museum’s renowned collection. It is a paid opportunity with meetings mostly at the museum after school. You should plan for a 3–4 hour weekly commitment.
8. After School Matters – Spring Preview Program
Location: After School Matters Teen Center, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $200
Dates: January 12 – February 5
Application Deadline: Typically, late December/early January
Eligibility: Chicago high school students aged 14 – 18
ASM’s Spring Preview Program allows you to explore interests across arts, communication, sports, and STEM fields. Options range from culinary arts, dance, and musical theatre to digital photography, journalism, MMA, and leadership. In each program, you learn directly from industry professionals through hands-on instruction. The experience helps you develop new skills, build confidence, and meet peers with similar passions. You also gain exposure to possible career paths and future opportunities. Programs provide a space for you to connect with community and culture while exploring what motivates you.
9. Warner Bros. Discovery Reach Honorship Program
Location: Burbank, California
Stipend: Paid summer internship + $5,000 scholarship (distributed as $1,250 annually over four years)
Dates: Four years during your college years, beginning the summer you graduate
Application Deadline: Varies each year; typically, early months
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors residing in or attending school in Burbank or Los Angeles County | Minimum 3.0 GPA
For high school seniors who want a career in entertainment, the Warner Bros. Reach Honorship program offers paid summer internships within a leading film studio. This prestigious opportunity allows you to gain experience across essential studio divisions, including finance, marketing, production, and communications, all while concurrently pursuing your undergraduate degree. Throughout your college years, you rotate through new departments each summer, collaborating with different executive mentors to cultivate professional expertise in areas like studio operations, project management, and cross-functional teamwork. The program further supports academic success with a generous $5,000 scholarship, given over four years, provided you maintain satisfactory academic standing.
10. MediaMKRS Career Lab Program
Location: New York, NY
Stipend: Paid, amount not publicly disclosed
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: CTE student enrolled in one of the referral schools OR A Reel Works After-school graduate who is currently enrolled in their junior or senior year of high school | Legally eligible to work in the U.S. and reside within commuting distance to NYC
The MediaMKRS Career Lab Program is a specialized, paid work-based learning and career exploration program for NYC high school juniors and seniors who are serious about the media industry. It covers various career topics, including Production (Scripted and Unscripted), Post-Production, and Advertising/Marketing. You will attend work readiness training workshops, go on weekly site visits to major studios and production companies, and receive tailored career coaching. The program focuses on earning MediaMKRS Badges, which are digital credentials that validate essential skills like communication, critical thinking, and professionalism. You ultimately gain invaluable industry connections, professional confidence, and the necessary skills to transition into paid media internships and future careers.
11. Reel Works Narrative Fellows
Location: New York, NY
Stipend: Paid, amount not publicly disclosed
Dates: January 8 – June 26
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: NYC-based youth, ages 17 – 21
The Reel Works Narrative Fellows program is a rigorous, paid opportunity for high school students passionate about learning professional-level filmmaking and storytelling. You explore core cinematic topics, including directing, screenwriting, cinematography, lighting, and sound design. You will develop original screenplays, operate high-end cinema cameras and lighting equipment, direct actors and film crews, and ultimately produce your own short narrative film from concept to final cut. The program involves 1:1 professional mentorship, pairing you with an industry expert for personalized guidance, ensuring you not only learn the craft but also develop essential skills in creative collaboration, project management, and critical thinking, building a portfolio-quality film.
12. Spy Hop Youth Media Careers – Film Apprenticeship
Location: Spy Hop's Kahlert Youth Media Arts Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
Stipend: $200
Dates: Three times per year: Fall, Spring, and Summer; upcoming cohort Spring: January 26 – May 20
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; Spring cohort: January 5
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 – 19
The Spy Hop Youth Media Careers – Film Apprenticeship is a paid program designed to immerse high school students in the professional world of filmmaking and prepare them for college and career success. It covers all phases of production, including development, pre-production, on-set work, post-production, and final distribution. You will write, direct, and shoot documentary and narrative shorts, collaborating with clients to produce media content and participating in master classes led by industry professionals. You receive one-on-one mentorship, access to professional-grade equipment, and a final screening event to showcase your work. You ultimately master technical skills in camera operation and editing, building a robust portfolio in the process.
13. BAVC Media Next Gen – Factory & Animation
Location: In-person in San Francisco, California
Stipend: $300
Dates: Multiple semesters, including Fall, Spring, and Summer
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 and 17
This program offers Bay Area high school students an introduction to digital media production and animation, focusing on the entire creative lifecycle from concept to delivery. You explore diverse topics including storytelling, 2D and 3D animation fundamentals, digital editing, motion graphics, and sound design. You produce your own short animated films, collaborate on a team-based media project for a non-profit client, and participate in guest speaker sessions with industry professionals. The program emphasizes project-based learning and portfolio development, concluding with a public screening of your work. By the end, you develop technical proficiency in industry-standard software.
14. Wide Angle Youth Media (WAYM) Internships
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Stipend: Paid, amount not publicly disclosed
Dates: Academic year (Fall, Spring) and Summer sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Baltimore City and County youth within the high school age range (typically ages 14-18
This internship offers high school students an opportunity to gain professional experience in media production and creative careers, with a focus on youth voice and community impact. The program covers diverse topics, including video production, photography, graphic design, digital storytelling, and journalism. You produce media for real non-profit clients, collaborate in teams to execute projects from concept to final edit, attend professional development workshops, and build a comprehensive portfolio of your work. The program uniquely focuses on social justice storytelling, teaching young people to use media as a tool for change within their communities.
15. Educational Video Center (EVC) Documentary Workshop
Location: New York, NY
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 15 weeks in Fall: Mid-October to Mid-January and Spring: Late February to Mid-May
Application Deadline: Fall: Early-to-mid October; Spring: early-to-mid February
Eligibility: All public high school students citywide in New York City (NYC)
The Educational Video Center (EVC) Documentary Workshop is a renowned, paid, 15-week after-school internship that empowers New York City high school students to investigate social justice issues and produce professional-quality short documentary films. It explores topics like investigative journalism, documentary ethics, visual storytelling, lighting and sound recording, and editing using industry-standard software. You will conduct interviews with community stakeholders, research and develop a critical social issue topic, learn camera and lighting techniques, and collaborate to edit your final film. Through this intensive process, you develop crucial skills in critical thinking, media literacy, technical filmmaking, and effective civic engagement.
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