Master of Fine Arts in Film, TV, and Digital Media

Master of Fine Arts in
Film, TV and Digital Media

An MFA Film crew films a scene in a field.

Program OVERVIEW

Answering the need of one of the state’s largest industries, the MFA Film program educates future directors, producers and writers in a two-year program in Athens, through a partnership with Athena Studios.

UGA’s MFA Film program is offered to students at a tuition rate comparable to that of other graduate programs at the university, making it one of the most financially accessible programs of its caliber in the country. The student cohort includes recent graduates and those who have worked in the field for a few years and are looking to take their skills and talent to a new level.

Visit the MFA in Film Site

  • 2
    Year Program
  • $16,000
    Approximate In-State Annual Tuition
  • 62
    Total Credit Hours
  • $78,000
    Approximate Out-of-State Annual Tuition

Faculty

  • Neil Landau Headshot

    Neil Landau

    Associate Professor; MFA in Film, Television and Digital Media

    About: Neil Landau is an award-winning screenwriter, producer, author and screenwriting professor. View Curriculum Vitae Education Master of Fine Arts, Screenwriting, University of Georgia Bachelor of Arts, Film/Television, University of […]

  • A headshot of Sanghoon Lee.

    Sanghoon Lee

    Clinical Associate Professor, MFA Film

    About: Sanghoon Lee teaches in our MFA Film, Television and Digital Media program. When he is not teaching, he is a director, producer, writer and cinematographer for independent film projects. […]

The Latest

Read the newest headlines, get updates and discover events happening at Grady.

Man and woman in front of a house with a film slate.

MFA Film student hires undergraduates to work with feature film

It is seldom that undergraduate students have the opportunity to work on a professional film set and get paid for that work. But that unique experience came to fruition when […]

UGA MFA Film program gains national recognition  

The University of Georgia Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Media was recently named to the list of Top 50 Film Schools across the country by The […]

People stand around a camera during film production.

Faculty and MFA Film students participate in inaugural Athens Film Festival

The film industry is thriving in Athens, Georgia, as evidenced by the 2022 opening of the new Athena Studios; growing momentum of the UGA MFA in Film, Television and Digital […]

Photo of the welcome gate for Athena Studios.

MFA Film students work on feature film

Working on a major film production is a dream for many students in the Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Media. It was a reality for several […]

A clapperboard about to be clapped on a movie set. The clapperboard has Win Marks' name on it.

MFA Screenwriting student’s film to premiere at Atlanta Film Festival

It was nearly three years ago that Win Marks, a first-year MFA student, started working on “Do You Say What You Mean?” Now, the Atlanta local’s film is set to […]

MFA Film thesis film to premiere at Atlanta Film Festival

“Black Butterfly,” a thesis film written, directed, produced and edited by Kelvin Summerhill (MFA ’22), has been selected as one of the narrative short films to premiere at the 47th […]

UGA MFA Film program goes green

Film sets are hubs for creation. They are where concepts and ideas turn into visual, captivating works of art. But, unfortunately, television shows and movies aren’t the only thing created […]

Events

Billboard with headshot of Anne Hull and book cover of "Through the Groves."

Anne Hull Book Reading and Signing

Join the MFA Narrative Nonfiction cohort in partnership with Barnes & Noble for a discussion with author Anne Hull. She will talk about her book “Through the Groves,” a memoir discussing her life growing up in central Florida as land is being cleared for Walt Disney World. The event is free and open to the public. This event will take place at Barnes & Noble in Athens, 3650 Atlanta Highway.

An MFA Narrative Nonfiction student reads from a paper in his hand while standing at a microphone.

MFA Narrative Nonfiction Student Readings

Join us for a celebration of our MFA Narrative Nonfiction students as they read from their class works. This event takes place at Hendershot’s in Athens at 237 Prince Ave, and is sponsored by Lucky Dog Press.  

AEJMC 108th Annual Conference

Make plans to attend the 2025 AEJMC Conference at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis August 7-10 in beautiful San Francisco, CA. Pre-conference day is Wednesday, August 6. More information can be found at: https://community.aejmc.org/conference/home

Fall 2025 Alumni Board Meeting

Save the date for the fall 2025 Alumni Board meeting. More details will be announced closer to the date.

Prospective Student Day

Register here to join us at Grady College Prospective Student Day!

Fall 2025 Board of Trust Meeting

The Grady College Board of Trust will meet at the College on October 17, 2025.

Connor Pannell holds a camera on a film set.

Perspectives

“It was really good to be in a position where I could hire from a place that has taken such great care of me,” Pannell said of the students he was able to hire. “And, I was able to say ‘not only can I get you on your first feature film, but also, you will be paid for it.’”

Connor Pannell

ABJ ’16, current MFA Film student

Perspectives

“The University of Georgia’s MFA in Film program was the central accelerator for me to
achieve my dream of becoming a cinematic artist and excel in my craft.”

Kelvin Summerhill

MFA ‘22

Perspectives

“There are so many learning experiences. There were really good mentorships, and
having the time and resources to explore what it means to be a filmmaker was invaluable.”

Nalani Dowling

MFA ’22

Perspectives

“The boutique nature of this program means every student’s experience is tailored to
their goals and strengths while stretching them to grow outside their comfort zone. Small
cohorts mean close collaboration with classmates and working industry professionals, and that prospective students can easily reach faculty and graduates to decide if this is the right program for them.”

Matt Hudgins

Current MFA Student

Perspectives

“It’s a good lesson in how to pitch your own material and get other people excited about
it and try to get your vision of it across.”

Elise Nation

MFA ‘22

Apply

Your advanced education starts here. Admission to Grady College’s graduate studies is a collaborative process involving Grady College and the University of Georgia’s Graduate School.