15 Summer Film Internships for High School Students

If you’re a high school student interested in film, media, or production, a summer internship can give you hands-on experience that goes beyond what you learn in the classroom. Internships let you work on projects, develop practical skills, and understand how creative ideas move from concept to screen. You’ll also gain exposure to industry-standard tools and techniques, such as video editing software (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro), camera operation, lighting setups, sound design, and scriptwriting.

Working alongside mentors and professionals, you’ll explore areas like cinematography, editing, storytelling, production planning, and post-production workflows. These experiences not only help you decide if this is the right path for you but also give you tangible skills to showcase on your resume or in future academic and career pursuits.

To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 summer film internships for high school students, each offering a unique focus while giving you a realistic view of what a career in film and media entails.

1. The Intern Group - Remote Film Internships

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Program fee apply; no stipend (varies by placement)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible start date; year round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to high school students (check specific role requirements according to your portfolio/skills)

If you’re interested in exploring films but aren’t sure where to start , The Intern Group’s remote film internship gives you hands-on experience where you work with industry professionals across the globe. As an intern, you will revise and edit scripts, take on assistant production responsibilities, manage social media accounts, or support post-production editing using tools like Final Cut Pro. Depending on placement type, you can also contribute to publicity efforts or explore the business side of the film industry. These experiences not only help you gain technical skills but also build a professional network, which is essential for future opportunities in such a competitive field. The program is flexible and designed to help you explore different aspects of film—from writing, directing, production to marketing—while strengthening your resume for college and future growth prospects .

2. Ladder Internships Program

Location:  Remote with a flexibility to work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Starting from $2,490; Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective 
Dates: Multiple cohorts scheduled around the year, that includes Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline:  Depends on the cohort - Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). 
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and students having a gap period of 1 year; students need to devote a fixed number of hours(10-20) every week, for a duration of 8-12 weeks.

Ladder Internships is an internship program which is highly selective in nature. The internship spans across 8 weeks where high school students looking for long term growth ambitions work directly in a high-growth startup. The industry type and personal growth prospects are two key factors during the internship. The industries include tech/deep, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting and more. You can explore all the applicable options listed on the application form. The start-ups associated with Ladder are high-growth companies raising over a million dollars of funding on an average. Interns gain real-world corporate experience working with Managers and Ladder Coaches on projects in the real world. They present their project observations to the company’s stakeholders.

3. Emerging Filmmaker Program

Location: Wichita, Kansas
Cost/Stipend: Free, where students also receive an all-access festival pass plus an additional pass for a parent/guardian.)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Orientation on May 29 (6-7 pm); Classes on Thursdays (6–8 pm)
Application Deadline: May 23
Eligibility: Students who are local in grades 8 - 12 with age from 13–18 years

As part of the Emerging Filmmaker Program, you’ll get a chance to explore nearly every aspect of filmmaking, getting help from industry professionals. Over the course of weekly classes, you’ll learn direction , production , screenwriting, audio production,lighting, camera techniques, editing, and even film criticism. This program is structured to give you both technical knowledge and creative confidence while being part of a supportive community of young filmmakers. Participation also comes with an all-access Tallgrass Film Festival pass, giving you the opportunity to see independent films, connect with working filmmakers, and expand your perspective related to the industry.

4. Musée Internship

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid (school credit, masthead, and on-page credit may be available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified, 16-week commitment (2–3 days per week)
Application Deadline: Rolling (apply using a valid email with resume and statement of interest)
Eligibility: High school and college students with interest/experience in photography, publishing, or visual arts

As a Musée intern, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience in the world of digital publication and the contemporary photography community. Depending on the role you apply for  - administrative, editorial, photo editing, graphic design, digital media, or marketing—you’ll take on responsibilities that mimic real professional work, from copyediting articles, managing databases, designing layouts to producing short videos. Along with technical skills, you’ll gain essential traits such as problem solving, professionalism, and attention to detail. Though the internship is unpaid, it offers opportunities to connect with leading personalities in photography and film, allows you to attend gallery openings, and build a strong portfolio of work. By the end of the 16 weeks, you’ll gain both practical experience and published credits to showcase your growth.

5. IOWA Young Writer’s Studio - Summer Residential Program

Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Cost/Stipend: Application reading fee is $10 (waiver option available); program tuition fee not listed on the official page
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective (no information on exact cohort size)
Dates: Session 1(June 15–28); Session 2(July 13–26)
Application Deadline: January 20 – February 2 (via Submittable)
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 10–12 (applications from U.S. and international students are welcome )

The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio is one of the most recognized summer opportunities for high school writers who want to immerse themselves in a community of peers passionate about creative writing. Over an intensive two weeks, you’ll reside  at the University of Iowa campus, attend workshops led by experienced instructors, and refine your skills in areas such as fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction. You’ll also participate in seminars, reading sessions , and discussions that allow you  to think about your craft critically and explore new writing approaches. The program is competitive, and your application is reviewed with utmost care by writers connected to the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. If you’re serious about developing your voice and experiencing life in a rigorous environment, this program offers you a unique opportunity to evolve as a writer and a strategic thinker.

6. Brooklyn Interns for Arts and Culture (BIAC)

Location: Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), New York City (in-person with option for some virtual events)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $275 (Summer), $325 (Fall), $500 (Spring)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Cohort of 15 students annually
Dates: Summer  – August ; Fall – Spring (October –June )
Application Deadline: June 6,
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in NYC (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, or Long Island); GPA 2.0+; interest in arts careers

The Brooklyn Interns for Arts and Culture program offers a year-long , paid opportunity for high school seniors to explore careers in arts management and develop essential college, career, and life-readiness skills. With a small and selective cohort consisting of just 15 interns, this program is helpful to provide hands-on experience, 1-on-1 mentorship, and a strong peer community.

As a BIAC intern, you’ll have behind-the-scenes access to the Brooklyn Academy of Music, one of the nation’s oldest performing arts venues, while also working closely with staff to understand the internal workings of arts organizations. The program combines practical skills such   as creating resumes, practicing interview techniques, and improving public speaking with personalized support for college applications, including fee waivers. You’ll also be encouraged to develop wellness practices that help you manage transitions after high school. 

7. Bric Youth Media Fellowship

Location: Brooklyn, New York (in-person at BRIC House and 75 Rockwell Place)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $15/hour for 2 hours/week ($30 per session, stipend disbursed mid- and end-fellowship)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort of 8–10 students
Dates: October 25 – May 29; Wednesdays, 4–6 PM (matches NYC DOE calendar for holidays)
Application Deadline: Check the official site for rolling/annual application
Eligibility: NYC high school students (Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) or aged  15 to 19 years; interest in media, filmmaking, marketing, and event planning

The BRIC Youth Media Fellowship provides high school students with a hands-on opportunity to manage different aspects of a short film festival in Brooklyn. As a media fellow, you will work in  a small cohort to choose the festival theme, manage entries, create promotional material, and host the final screening. With a weekly in-person commitment, this fellowship combines creative development with professional insight, offering both a stipend and valuable portfolio-building experience. The program emphasizes skill-building in media production, editing, design, marketing, and event planning, with mentorship from BRIC staff and guest speakers. You’ll gain practical experience collaborating with a team, contributing to every stage of a festival, and building a professional network in the arts. 

8. Fresh Films Weekly Filmmaking Program

Location: Virtual / On-site workshops (check program details)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified; program may offer paid internships for future projects
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Pre-registration open for upcoming season; weekly sessions
Application Deadline: Closed for current season; pre-register for upcoming seasons
Eligibility: High school students who are interested in filmmaking

The Fresh Films Weekly Filmmaking Program gives you hands-on experience creating a wide range of film projects, from music videos to documentary shorts and scenes for major studios like Paramount+. Each week, you build technical skills in pre-production, lighting, camera work, audio, and editing while collaborating on creative projects. By the end of the program, you will have a strong portfolio of films to showcase as your work profile. The program also connects you with industry professionals, offers insights related to film set etiquette, and provides opportunities for paid internships on TV shows and films. You’ll also get access to career workshops, studio tours, and resume-building sessions.

9. VFO Internships

Location: Richmond, Virginia (Both in-office and remote work options available )
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; tailored for school credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer(May–August); Fall(September–December)Spring(: January–April)
Application Deadlines: Summer(April 5; ) Fall(August 5); Spring(December)5
Eligibility: Students in Virginia with an interest in film production, office tasks, writing, and administrative work; must have reliable transportation and the ability to receive school credit

The VFO Internship provides high school and college students the opportunity to explore the internal workings of a film office, focusing on pre-production and administrative support. You’ll gain experience in writing, video editing, office management, and project planning while working both in-office and remotely. The program is flexible, allowing your internship hours to align with school requirements, and is ideal for students with strong organizational skills and a passion for film. You’ll develop practical skills in production coordination and office workflows, preparing you for future careers in the film industry.

10. Internship at Austin Film Festival

Location: Austin, TX (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Ongoing; weekly schedules as per department
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Applicable to High school students and college students (course credit applicants)

Doing an internship with the Austin Film Festival gives you exposure to festival operations and screenwriting events. You’ll develop skills in planning, execution, customer support, and teamwork, while collaborating with departments such as production, marketing, and event coordination. Internships are in-person that provide hands-on experience and professional networking in a supportive, creative environment.

11. Reach Honorship Program

Location: Burbank / Los Angeles County, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid summer internships plus $5,000 scholarship (over 4 years)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 5–6 students (Hanna Barbera Reach: 1 student)
Dates: Summer internships during college years; program duration: 4 years
Application Deadline: Check the program website for more details
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors in LA/Burbank; minimum GPA 3.0

The Warner Bros. Reach Honorship combines paid internships with a scholarship, targeting students from underrepresented backgrounds. Interns work in business or production roles at Warner Bros. departments, gaining experience in marketing, HR, studio operations, and more. The program includes mentorship, networking, and career development, preparing students for long-term opportunities in the entertainment industry.

12. Teen Council Program

Location: New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15 teens annually
Dates: November–May; select Wednesdays and Saturdays + one Friday event
Application Deadline: October 18
Eligibility: Teens age 15+, enrolled in 10th–12th grade

The Teen Council at the Museum of the Moving Image allows you to curate events, assist with film festivals, and gain mentorship from media professionals. Members participate in hands-on learning in media arts, project management, and museum operations. The program helps you build leadership skills, collaborate with peers, and gain real-world experience in arts programming.

13. Tisch Summer High School Program

Location: New York University, NY
Cost/Stipend: $11,101 (includes tuition, housing, meals, program fees)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 – August 1
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors 

Tisch Summer offers an intensive four-week pre-college experience in filmmaking and other tracks related to arts . You’ll receive professional training, complete projects, and collaborate with peers while earning  4 to 6 6 college credits. Tracks include Animation, Filmmaking, Dramatic Writing, Production & Design, and more. Residential housing provides an immersive environment for learning and networking.

14. Internship at Atlanta Film Society

Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; free membership provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Spring(Jan–May)Summer(Jun–Aug) Fall(Sep–Dec)
Application Deadline: Mid-December/Mid-April/Mid-August, depending on the dates
Eligibility: Must be 18+; high school seniors considered on a case-by-case basis

ATLFS internships provide insight into producing film festivals and nonprofit media arts operations. You’ll assist with administrative tasks, membership, and event planning, gaining professional experience in arts management. You will gain a diverse set of skills such as business development, outreach, screenplay programming, media/tech, marketing, and festival operations.

15. New York Film Academy Summer Camp for Filmmaking

Location: New York, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: $6,592.50
Dates: June 28 – August 8 (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students with age 14–17

NYFA Summer Camp helps you to learn writing, direction, editing and producing short films using professional cameras and equipment. The 6-week program is divided into two 3-week sessions, covering foundational storytelling and advanced dialogue-driven filmmaking. You will be a part of creating multiple short films, receive timely faculty feedback, and develop a strong portfolio for long term growth prospects. The program allows you to learn real concepts related to production, improve technical skills, and collaborate seamlessly with peers.

Image Source - Musée Logo