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

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Faculty

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    Headshot of Tamlin Hall

    Tamlin Hall

    Director of MFA in Film, Television and Digital Media

    About: Tamlin Hall is a filmmaker, writer, producer, educator, and nonprofit founder whose career has been defined by a commitment to storytelling with social impact. View Curriculum Vitae Education Master […]

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    Neil Landau Headshot

    Neil Landau

    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 […]

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    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. […]

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The Latest

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

Read more about MFA Film student hires undergraduates to work with feature film
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 […]

Read more about UGA MFA Film program gains national recognition  
A man operates a professional video camera indoors. Next to him is a graphic reading Top 50 Film MFA, Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Media, University of Georgia.

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 […]

Read more about Faculty and MFA Film students participate in inaugural Athens Film Festival
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 […]

Read more about MFA Film students work on feature film
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 […]

Read more about MFA Screenwriting student’s film to premiere at Atlanta Film Festival
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 […]

Read more about MFA Film thesis film to premiere at Atlanta Film Festival
Three people pose and smile for the camera indoors, with one holding a round brown object with a smiling face. Behind them, a woman stands by camera equipment and an elevator. The setting appears casual and friendly.

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 […]

Read more about UGA MFA Film program goes green
Two men stand in a dimly lit studio near a bright light and a colorful painted backdrop. One holds a drink, and both wear glasses and casual clothes, with hats and facial hair visible.

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

A wide angle shot depicting Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall during Grady College's 2025 Convocation, with three figures on stage in front of a crowd of people.

Fall 2026 Grady Convocation Ceremony

Grady College’s Fall 2026 Convocation Celebration will take place on Thursday, December 10. • Doors open at 9:15 a.m. and the ceremony will start at 10 a.m. • Student check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Students must be checked in by 9:45 a.m. • Graduates will have their names read in front of family, friends, faculty and staff as they cross the stage. • Dress is professional; caps and gowns are not worn for Grady Convocation. • Guests are asked to remain in their seats and not take pictures at the stage. Photos will be taken of each graduate crossing the stage and will be available free of charge after the event on the UGAGrady Flickr account. • The ceremony will be recorded and posted within 24 hours on the UGA Grady YouTube channel. • Students must register for convocation. • Guest tickets are required for the Fall 2026 Grady College Convocation. Each graduate who submits their RSVP to participate in Convocation will receive up to five guest tickets for family and friends. • Ticket pick-up details will be announced closer to the ceremony. • The RSVP deadline will be announced closer to the ceremony. More information can be found at https://grady.uga.edu/graduation/

Read more about Fall 2026 Grady Convocation Ceremony
Four women poses for a picture in a room.

Fall 2026 Graduation Celebration

Graduates and their parents are invited to celebrate with other graduates and faculty/staff at this drop-in celebration. Guests will enjoy light refreshments and photo opportunities with faculty and friends. Tickets are not required for the celebration at Grady. • Thursday, December 10 • 2 to 4 p.m. • Schnitzer Family Media Lawn at Grady College, 120 Hooper St.

Read more about Fall 2026 Graduation Celebration
A man standing behind a podium receives something from a blonde young woman.

Spring 2027 Grady Convocation Ceremony

Grady College’s Spring 2027 Convocation Celebration will take place on May 5, 2027. • The ceremony will start at 2 p.m. • Graduates will have their names read in front of family, friends, faculty and staff as they cross the stage. • Dress is professional; caps and gowns are not worn for Grady Convocation. • Guests are asked to remain in their seats and not take pictures at the stage. Photos will be taken of each graduate crossing the stage and will be available free of charge after the event on the UGAGrady Flickr account. • The ceremony will be recorded and posted within 24 hours on the UGA Grady YouTube channel. • Students must register for convocation. • Guest tickets are not required for the Spring 2027 Grady College Convocation. • The RSVP deadline will be announced closer to the ceremony. • Parking is available at one of several downtown parking lots. Please allow plenty of time to park and arrive as there will be convocation ceremonies downtown for other UGA units that same day. More information can be found at https://grady.uga.edu/graduation/

Read more about Spring 2027 Grady Convocation Ceremony
A group of people participating in a "Go Dawgs" chant on the Schnitzer Family Media Lawn.

Spring 2027 Grady Graduation Celebration

Graduates and their parents are invited to celebrate with other graduates and faculty/staff at this drop-in celebration from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on May 7, 2027. Guests will enjoy light refreshments and photo opportunities with Dean Davis and others. Tickets are not required for the celebration at Grady College.

Read more about Spring 2027 Grady Graduation Celebration
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

Three people stand outdoors; one is holding papers, another a tablet and water bottle, and the third operates a professional video camera. They appear to be filming or setting up for an interview.

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

A woman in a red floral dress holds a bouquet of flowers and smiles, while a man in a suit with glasses stands beside her, his arm around her shoulders. Both appear happy and are looking slightly to the side.

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

A bearded man wearing glasses and a black cowboy hat smiles slightly at the camera, with a blurred, colorful background behind him.

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

A woman with long brown hair, wearing a black dress and a lanyard, smiles in front of an Atlanta Shorts Fest step-and-repeat banner.

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

Five people stand together in a forest, closely examining a camera setup. One person holds the camera, another holds a boom microphone, while the rest look at the camera screen. Sunlight filters through the trees around them.

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.

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