15 Summer Film Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in film, summer programs can be a worthwhile way to explore the field. Summer film programs for high school students offer practical experience, industry exposure, and access to mentorship. If you want to major in film in college, completing a summer program can help you prepare for undergraduate film studies and stand out in the competitive college admissions process.
For students interested in pursuing future careers in film, these programs can be especially valuable, as they provide access to professional equipment, collaborative production environments, and guidance from experienced filmmakers. By participating in a film program, you can explore filmmaking in depth, build confidence, and determine whether the field aligns with your long-term goals.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 summer film programs for high school students.
1. Emerging Filmmaker Program
Location: Wichita, KS
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
Application Deadline: May 23
Dates: Orientation on May 29; classes on Thursdays
Eligibility: Students who are local in grades 8 - 12 with an age of 13 - 18 years
In the Emerging Filmmaker Program, students work through the core stages of the filmmaking process with guidance from industry professionals. In the weekly classes, you study directing, producing, screenwriting, audio work, lighting, camera operation, editing, and film analysis. The structure of the program is designed to help you build practical skills while developing your own creative approach, all within a collaborative peer community. Your participation also includes an all-access Tallgrass Film Festival pass, which allows you to watch independent films, meet filmmakers, and gain insight into how the film industry operates.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote (you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies depending on the cohort – summer, fall, winter, or spring; options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program for high school students. The program offers extensive one-on-one research opportunities across a wide range of subjects, pairing each student with a Ph.D. mentor on an independent project. By the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper. You can choose research topics from areas such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
3. Warner Bros. Reach Honors Program
Location: Varies depending on the internship opportunity
Cost/Stipend: No cost to participate; paid summer internships at Warner Bros. Discovery Studios, plus a $5,000 scholarship ($1,250 annually)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer internships are typically offered between June and August (tentative)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Applicant must be a graduating high school senior in Burbank or LA County, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and plan to attend an accredited college or university
The Warner Bros. Reach Honors Program provides high school seniors with a structured introduction to explore careers in film and media. It offers two focus areas: production/studio operations and business. If you lean toward the creative or technical side, the production/studio operations track introduces you to production workflows, post-production, content development, and how studio operations function. You gain an overview of the filmmaking process from early planning through final edits, with opportunities to observe or support aspects of production work. If you are more interested in the business side of the industry, the business track explores roles in marketing, finance, and communications, and how these functions contribute to a studio’s daily operations.
4. Immerse Education’s Film and Animation Track
Location: Tokyo, Japan, for film and animation
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 - 18 years
The Career Insights Program allows high school students to explore career options in major global industry hubs. The film and animation track is designed to immerse students in Japanese cinematic culture in Tokyo, where they learn directly from industry professionals and experienced animators. Participants engage in project-based learning with established companies, attend interactive workshops, and visit offices, studios, and production sites. The program also includes in-person one-on-one weekly career coaching sessions along with personalized feedback on your resume and overall profile. At the end of the program, students will also present their findings to industry experts.
5. 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
In the Fresh Films Weekly Filmmaking Program, students work on a variety of creative projects, such as music videos, documentary pieces, and short scenes, including some produced in partnership with studios like paramount+. Weekly sessions focus on developing practical skills in areas such as planning, lighting, camera operation, sound, and editing, all while collaborating with a team. As you progress through the program, you create a portfolio of finished pieces. You also interact with professionals who provide guidance on set practices and workplace expectations. Participants may also become eligible for paid internships on film and television projects. The program includes career-focused sessions, studio visits, and support in preparing application materials.
6. StudioBinder’s Filmmaking Courses
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free of cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Open to starting any time
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all aspiring filmmakers
StudioBinder offers free, self-paced online courses that introduce high school students and emerging filmmakers to core areas of production. Through structured video lessons, you explore topics such as cinematography, screenwriting, and pre-production planning. The platform also provides tools for creating shot lists, storyboards, and production schedules, allowing you to practice organizing your own projects. Whether you are exploring directing, writing, or producing, these resources provide a practical way to build foundational filmmaking skills at your own pace.
7. Internship at Austin Film Festival
Location: Austin, TX
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)
An internship with the Austin Film Festival introduces students with experience to how a film festival and its screenwriting programs operate. You gain experience in areas such as event planning, on-site support, and collaborative work while contributing to departments such as production, marketing, and coordination. These in-person roles offer practical exposure to day-to-day festival tasks and opportunities to meet professionals working in the film and writing fields.
8. Tisch Summer High School Filmmakers Workshop
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: $8,008 (tuition fee) plus housing and meal fees, plus insurance, plus application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 - August 1
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; minimum GPA of 3.0
The Tisch Summer High School Program at NYU offers structured, conservatory-style training in areas such as acting, screen performance, theatre, and production and design. You spend full days in studio classes from Monday through Friday, completing up to 28 hours of guided instruction each week in Tisch’s training spaces. The Summer Filmmakers Workshop at the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television focuses on core filmmaking practices, including visual storytelling and technical production skills. You also take part in a seminar on New York theatre and meet working professionals – such as directors, performers, and designers – who share their insights related to the craft. The program concludes with two screenings: one for faculty and fellow students, and the second where family and friends are invited.
9. New York University — Online High School Screenwriters Workshop
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $8,008
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 - 31
Application Deadline: June 10
Eligibility: High school first-years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply
This online screenwriting program introduces high school students to the fundamentals of writing for film and television. You work on developing concepts, characters, and script pages while collaborating with peers from different locations. The course includes recorded lessons, weekly writing tasks, and live one-on-one meetings with an NYU Tisch instructor. Through writing exercises and film analysis, you learn key elements of storytelling, structure, and visual language. By the end of the program, you had produced completed scenes, a short script, and a synopsis for a feature film or television project.
10. Interlochen Center for the Arts - Film Editing 101
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $299
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Available during the summer; dates to be announced
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply; completion of Film Production 101 or equivalent knowledge and/or experience is required
This four-week online film editing program introduces high school students to the basics of storyboarding and shaping sequences. You examine how editing has evolved from early film history to modern approaches and study a range of styles, from classical Hollywood techniques to more experimental methods. The curriculum includes analysis of work by editors such as Thelma Schoonmaker and Walter Murch to understand different problem-solving strategies in the edit. Through scene studies and re-editing assignments, you practice managing pacing, rhythm, and tone across genres such as action, horror, comedy, and drama. The program concludes with a short video project designed specially for social media platforms.
11. UCLA — Emerging Filmmakers TV Writing
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, or remote
Cost/Stipend: $4,595 (in-person); $2,605 (virtual) (tentative costs, based on previous years)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 21 - July 3 (in-person) | July 5 - 17 (in-person) | July 20 - August 8 (virtual)
Application Deadline: Applications open on February 15, deadline not specified
Eligibility: High school students in 9th - 12th grades in the spring with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible to apply
The three-week UCLA Emerging Filmmakers TV Writing Track introduces high school students to the basics of episodic storytelling under the guidance of a mentor who has experience in television writing. You learn how to create original series ideas, analyze current trends in the media landscape, and use standard industry tools for developing and sharing your work. In workshop sessions, you draft materials such as beat sheets, first-act outlines, and short pilot script sections, receiving structured feedback throughout the revision process. The program also includes discussions on topics such as pitching, building a writing portfolio, and how writers’ rooms operate. During the final week, you take part in virtual portfolio reviews with industry readers or writers, receiving feedback on your work and recommendations for next steps.
12. The University of Texas at Austin — DIY Filmmaking
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 3 weeks in the summer, to be announced
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: High school students in 9th - 12th grades can apply
The DIY Filmmaking online summer program allows high school students to produce a short film using accessible equipment such as smartphones, tablets, or cameras. Through hands-on exercises, you practice writing, directing, filming, and editing, while applying key principles of visual storytelling. The program includes live virtual classes on Zoom, self-paced lessons, and independent project work. You will focus on story development, collaborating with actors, basic camera and sound techniques, and editing with Adobe Premiere. By the end of the program, you will complete a 3 - 5 minute original short film project.
13. New York Film Academy — Online Filmmaking Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $2,025 (early bird discount: $1,822.50)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 - August 7
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 - 17 years are eligible to apply
The three-week Online Film Camp guides high school students through writing, directing, filming, and editing 2 short film projects using mobile devices and digital editing software. Online sessions cover areas such as production, editing, writing, cinematography, and directing, offering insight into both the creative and technical sides of filmmaking. The curriculum includes a focus on director’s craft, where you study cinematic language, visual storytelling, production preparation, and working with actors.
14. University of Southern California — Directing: Creating Your Short Film
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,990 plus $35 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Self-paced program with multiple start dates from May through August
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines; varies depending on the course start date
Eligibility: High school students of at least 14 years old can apply
This online summer filmmaking program teaches high school students how to use accessible devices such as smartphones or tablets to produce complete film projects. Under the guidance of director and producer Sanford Bookstaver, known for his work on shows like Dexter: New Blood and House MD, you learn each stage of the production process. You work on script preparation, team organization, capturing key shots, and managing post-production workflows. The program also covers location planning, collaborating with actors, and developing storyboards. In post-production, you edit your footage, incorporate sound, and finalize your short film. By the end of the course, you will have produced a finished short film and received a certificate of completion.
15. Internship at Atlanta Film Society
Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; free membership provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (June - August)
Application Deadline: Mid-April
Eligibility: Must be 18+ years; high school seniors considered on a case-by-case basis
ATLFS internships give you an opportunity to learn how film festivals and nonprofit media arts organizations operate. You can support administrative work, membership coordination, and event planning, gaining experience in arts management. Through the internship, you develop skills in areas such as business development, outreach, programming, technology, marketing, and overall festival operations.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship experience where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world. The participating startups range across a variety of industries. As part of the internship, each student will work on a real-world project that meets a genuine need for the startup they are paired with, and present their work at the end of their internship. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup. Apply now!
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