Program Overview

Master of Fine Arts Degree in Documentary Filmmaking

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree in Documentary Filmmaking at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) is a hands-on, intensive program designed for aspiring visual storytellers. This two-year program is offered at the NYFA Los Angeles campus.

Program Overview

The MFA program in Documentary Filmmaking is a best fit for filmmaking students looking to continue their education. Candidates for admission to the MFA program must have a Bachelor's Degree. The program focuses on building advanced documentary filmmaking skills, with students spending a majority of their time creating short films. They also study topics in new media, film studies, and the business side of the industry.

Faculty Highlights

The program features instruction by faculty and staff with extensive experience in the film, television, and entertainment industries. Students have consistent access to equipment, including professional-grade cameras and lighting kits, and the opportunity to attend exclusive guest lectures from industry professionals.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the MFA in Documentary Filmmaking includes:

• An intensive series of courses covering Producing, Directing, Development & Research, Cinematography, Production, and Production and Post Production Sound, Digital Editing, as well as Graphics and VFX.
• Instruction by experienced faculty and staff.
• Access to professional-grade equipment.
• Opportunities for guest lectures from industry professionals.

Degree Details

The MFA in Documentary Filmmaking is composed of six semesters, completed over two years. The accelerated two-year schedule allows students to complete three full-length semesters in each calendar year.

Projects

As the program progresses, students produce projects of increasing complexity and depth, including:

• Observational films
• Interview films
• Social issues films By the end of the third semester, students have produced eight documentaries. The final thesis is intended to reflect the student's strengths and growth as a documentary filmmaker.

History and Theory Courses

The MFA curriculum is supported by History and Theory courses, including the History of Documentary and Cinema Studies. These classes are designed to support the documentary filmmaking curriculum, with coursework closely related to the field.

Locations

The MFA in Documentary Filmmaking is offered at the NYFA Los Angeles campus.

Tuition and Fees

• Tuition: $20,500 per semester
• Departmental Program Fee: $2,000 per semester
• Program Duration: 6 semesters
• Additional Fees:
  • Technology Fee: $80 per semester
  • Wellness Services & Programming Fee: $145 per semester
  • Activity Fee: $125 per semester
  • Orientation Fee: $150 (domestic students), $200 (international students)
  • Graduation Fee: $100
  • International Student Fee: $200 for the first semester, $120 each subsequent semester

Start Dates

Start dates for the Los Angeles campus are:

• August 2026
• January 2027

Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission to the MFA program must have a Bachelor's Degree. For more information on admission requirements, please refer to the official NYFA admissions criteria.

Accreditation and Approvals

The New York Film Academy is approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). For more details on accreditation, licensing, and approvals, please consult the NYFA official documentation.