Top 11 Summer Film Programs for High School Students in 2025–2026

When summer arrives, many teens take a break—but for aspiring filmmakers who see themselves following in the footsteps of Greta Gerwig, Christopher Nolan, or Jordan Peele, it’s the perfect time to get creative.

Getting into summer film programs for high school students allows you to explore every part of making a movie. You’ll learn from real industry professionals and top film school instructors while building skills that boost your college applications and confidence.

In this blog, we’ll walk through the best summer film programs for high school students and help you find the right fit.

• What Are the Best Filmmaking Summer Programs for High School Students?
• USC Cinematic Arts Summer Program
• UCLA Film & Television Summer Institute
• New York Film Academy (NYFA) Teen Filmmaking Camps
• SOCAPA Filmmaking Summer Camp
• UCLA Emerging Filmmakers Program
• Interlochen Filmmaking Summer Program
• Austin Film Festival Summer Film Camp
• Fresh Films Summer Filmmaking Program
• Oklahoma Arts Institute (OSAI) Film & Video
• Bryn Mawr Summer Filmmaking Workshop
• NYU Tisch Future Filmmakers Workshop
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Filmmaking Summer Programs for High School Students?

Summer film programs for high school students are one of the best ways to jump into filmmaking and learn how real visual storytelling works. You get to try everything—from writing scripts to experimenting with cinematography.

The best programs listed below stand out because they offer professional-quality equipment, great teachers, helpful mentors, and lots of time to make projects you can proudly add to your portfolio. Some even partner with real filmmakers or take place at top film schools, giving you confidence, experience, and a big boost for future college applications.

Below is a quick overview of the top summer film programs for high school students:

Let’s discuss each program one by one.

1. USC Cinematic Arts Summer Program

• Dates: June 25 – August 7, 2026
• Location: USC School of Cinematic Arts, Los Angeles, California
• Cost: Varies by course (4 units: $9,868; 8 units: $19,736; plus fees and housing)

The USC School of Cinematic Arts Summer Program is a six-week summer film program for high school students aged 16 and above.

You can choose from a huge selection of hands-on classes—including Directing Intensive, Filmmaking Intensive, and even a Producing & Directing course in partnership with Warner Bros.

Students also get access to screenings, seminars, and exclusive Q&As with filmmakers, producers, actors, and studio executives. Many courses also offer transferable college credit. At the end of the program, you’ll have multiple original projects shot on USC’s professional equipment and stages.

While the program isn’t free and doesn’t offer financial aid directly, outside scholarships are welcome.

If you want a deeper look at how to get into this program, check out our complete guide to the USC School of Cinematic Arts Summer Program.

2. UCLA Film & Television Summer Institute

• Dates: Session A: June 22 – July 31, 2026; Session C: August 3 – September 11, 2026
• Location: UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television, Los Angeles, California
• Cost: Varies by student type (plus campus fees; housing not included)

If you want one of the strongest filmmaking summer experiences you can get in Los Angeles, the UCLA Film & Television Summer Institute – Film Production is an amazing choice. This on-campus program is designed for aspiring filmmakers aged 18 and above.

You’ll collaborate with other students to create short films using professional-grade gear and UCLA’s sound stages.

Throughout the program, you’ll attend guest talks with writers, directors, producers, and agents behind shows and films like Arrival, Pose, The Umbrella Academy, and Deadpool. There are also networking mixers where you can connect with fellow filmmakers and alumni now working at major studios like Disney, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, and Sony.

You’ll need to apply with a personal statement, a creative writing sample, and a short response about collaboration. The program doesn’t include housing, but students 17+ can apply for UCLA Summer Housing on their own, and international students may qualify for an F-1 visa.

3. New York Film Academy (NYFA) Teen Filmmaking Camps

• Dates: 1-Week: July 5 – August 2, 2026; 3-Week: June 21 – July 19, 2026; 6-Week: Begins June 28, 2026; 1-Week Online: July 27, 2026; 3-Week Online: July 20, 2026; and 2-Day Holiday Short Film Challenge: December 29–30, 2025
• Location: New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Florence, Paris, Harvard University, + online
• Cost: 1-Week: $1,725; 3-Week: $4,525; 6-Week: $7,325; Online: $325–$2,025 depending on program (discounts are available)

NYFA’s Teen Filmmaking Camps are one of the most popular summer film programs for high school students aged  14–17.

NYFA offers several in-person formats so you can choose the level of depth you want:

• 1-Week Camp. A fun introduction to filmmaking with your own short project.
• 3-Week Camp. A deeper training experience where you write, shoot, direct, and edit short films.
• 6-Week Camp. A full summer immersion where you gain strong creative and technical skills while producing multiple films.

Programs take place in iconic creative hubs, including New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Florence, Rome, and Harvard University. NYFA also offers online filmmaking camps for students who want a flexible option or don’t live near a campus.

Students who finish Level I may return for Level II, where you build on your skills by producing more advanced, dialogue-driven films.

Beyond filmmaking, NYFA lets teens explore acting for film, photography, musical theatre, game design, documentary filmmaking, and more.

If you want to check all locations, discounts, program dates, and campus details, visit NYFA’s official youth campuses page.

4. SOCAPA Filmmaking Summer Camp

• Dates: Varies by campus; sessions offered from June 14 to August 8, 2026
• Locations: New York City, Los Angeles, Burlington, VT
• Cost: 2-Week: $2,195–$2,895 (plus housing if residential); 3-Week: $3,795–$4,295; 4–6 Week Advanced Programs (Exact tuition differs by campus and session.)

The School of Creative & Performing Arts (SOCAPA) is one of the most beloved summer film programs for high school students because it mixes serious filmmaking training with a fun, camp-style community. It’s designed for students ages 14–18.

Every filmmaker writes, directs, and edits their own short films. You’ll learn dual-system shooting, practice cinematography and sound recording, and collaborate with acting students who star in your projects.

SOCAPA offers three filmmaking tracks:

• Screenwriting Intensives (2–3 weeks). For storytellers who want to sharpen their writing voice.
• Core Filmmaking (2–5 weeks). Best for beginners and intermediate filmmakers.
• Advanced Filmmaking (3–6 weeks). For returning students or those with strong experience.

All programs take place on college campuses like NYU, Occidental College, Pace University, and Champlain College. If you want full details on dates and tuition for each campus, explore SOCAPA’s schedule page to compare all available sessions.

5. UCLA Emerging Filmmakers Program

• Dates: varies, but all sessions take place between June 21 – August 8, 2026
• Location: UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television, Los Angeles, California
• Cost: 2026 fees coming soon (2025 commuter rates ranged from $2,600–$4,595 depending on track)

The UCLA Emerging Filmmakers Program offers hands-on experience with professional equipment, access to UCLA’s sound stages and editing labs, and guidance from instructors who actively work in film and television.

Students can choose from several immersive tracks, each offering a unique creative focus:

• Emerging Filmmakers Cinematography. A one-week, hands-on crash course in lighting, lenses, composition, and on-set workflow.
• Emerging Filmmakers Digital Filmmaking. A three-week journey through directing, shooting, and building an original short film from concept to final cut.
• Media Parks: The Cinematic & Televisual History of Theme Parks. A deep dive into how film, TV, and gaming shape modern theme-park design and immersive entertainment.
• Emerging Filmmakers TV Writing. A collaborative writers’ room experience where students develop an original series, craft characters, and write the teaser of a pilot script.

The program is open to rising 9th–12th graders with a minimum 3.2 GPA. Applications require transcripts and short essays, with international students submitting proof of English proficiency.

6. Interlochen Filmmaking Summer Program

• Dates: Session 1: June 28 – July 18, 2026; Session 2: July 19 – August 9, 2026
• Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, Michigan
• Cost: $7,265 (3-week program; same tuition for both sessions)

The Interlochen Filmmaking Summer Program is one of the most immersive summer film programs for high school students in grades 9–12. For three weeks, each student makes original films from concept to final cut, guided by industry professionals and dedicated film faculty. You’ll explore production, post-production, screenwriting, technical skills, and film history.

Interlochen also offers related summer tracks in Screenwriting (1 week) and Animation (3 weeks). All programs take place inside the DeRoy Center for Film Studies, a 26,000 sq. ft. facility with editing suites, a soundstage, and a 180-seat cinema for student screenings.

Visit Interlochen’s official program page for complete application details and portfolio requirements. Alternatively, if you’re interested in exploring the broader Interlochen experience, you can visit our complete guide to Interlochen Arts Camp.

7. Austin Film Festival – Summer Film Camp

• Dates: Sessions run from June 2 – July 25, 2025
• Location: Austin, Texas
• Cost: $250–$275; Full-Day Combo $450–$495

The Austin Film Festival (AFF) Summer Film Camp is a one-week camp series that teaches students how to write scripts, operate cameras, record sound, edit footage, and collaborate like a real film crew.

Younger students (ages 9–12) can jump into Filmmaking 101 or Claymation Creations, where they learn the basics of storytelling and production while creating their own short film or stop-motion project. Older students (ages 13–18) can choose workshop-style classes that deepen their skills in screenwriting, filmmaking, and editing.

Students also get to hear from guest speakers (past speakers include writers from Moana, The Karate Kid, Breaking Bad, and more) and end the summer with a red-carpet Film Showcase where their work is screened on the big screen.

AFF offers several ways to save money—including member discounts, alum discounts, and financial-need scholarships.

If you want the full schedule, prices, or session availability, visit AFF’s FAQ page for complete details.

8. Fresh Films – Summer Filmmaking Program

• Dates: January–May
• Locations: 30+ sites nationwide, plus virtual options
• Cost: Free

The Fresh Films Weekly Filmmaking Program is one of the most accessible summer film programs for high school students since it’s completely free. Teens aged 13–19 meet twice a week after school to learn every part of the filmmaking process and create a new project every few weeks.

Students work with professional equipment, collaborate with peers, and get feedback from Hollywood pros from studios like Sony, Paramount, America’s Got Talent, and more. Over the season, you’ll create four major projects—a music video, an unscripted “How-To” video, a documentary with reality-TV producers, and an original short film made in partnership with Sony Pictures.

Participating in this program makes you eligible for paid summer internships, giving you a real pathway into film, TV, and digital media.

If you want to see all available locations and schedules, check Fresh Films’ official program page for full details.

9. Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute (OSAI) – Film & Video

• Dates: June 13–28, 2026
• Location: Quartz Mountain State Park & Lodge, Southwestern Oklahoma
• Cost: Free for all accepted students, full scholarship

The Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute (OSAI) Film & Video Program is a 2-week residential academy for students in grades 9–12, and at least 15 years old by September 1, 2026. Seniors can apply too, as long as you’re 19 or younger. The application is due February 17, 2025 (by 11:59 PM CT), and there’s a $25 audition fee, with financial assistance available for families who qualify.

With small group crews and hands-on projects, you’ll get to try out directing, editing, cinematography, sound, props. Yes, even smartphone-made films are totally welcome for your application!

You get to learn from top-tier professionals like Crystal Kayiza, a Sundance-winning filmmaker and your 2025 instructor. If you want a sneak peek before auditioning, you can also attend free Quartz Preview Days, where you’ll try mini workshops and get a feel for the program.

With eight artistic disciplines, OSAI sees around 1,000 students audition each year for just 230 spots.

10. Bryn Mawr Summer Filmmaking Workshop

• Dates: June 23–July 31, 2025 (Summer 2026 schedule will be posted on December 2025)
• Location: Bryn Mawr Film Institute, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
• Cost: $1,850 if application is received by April 18; $2,250 if received by May 16

The Bryn Mawr Film Institute’s Summer Filmmaking Workshop is one of the most immersive summer film programs for high school students. This six-week program meets Mondays through Thursdays.

What makes this workshop special is its intentionally small size—only 12 high school students (including rising 9th graders) are accepted each year. That means you’ll get personal, one-on-one guidance from a professional filmmaker as you write, produce, direct, and edit your own original short film.

Once your film is finished, it premieres on the big screen at Bryn Mawr Film Institute, giving you the full film-festival experience. Many students even use their workshop films in successful applications to programs like NYU Tisch and Villanova.

No prior experience required for this summer film program for high school students, but applicants must submit a short, one-page letter about their interest in filmmaking.

11. NYU Tisch Future Filmmakers Workshop

• Dates: January 31 – May 9, 2026, every Saturday
• Location: NYU Tisch School of the Arts, New York City
• Cost: Free

The NYU Tisch Future Filmmakers Workshop is a free, 14-week program meets every Saturday and gives students hands-on training in filmmaking using DSLR cameras and Adobe Premiere.

You’ll direct, produce, and edit several short films while learning the foundations of visual storytelling, creative expression, and collaboration. Students also participate in screenings, professional discussions, and mentorship sessions led by Tisch faculty and visiting filmmakers.

For any teen filmmaker hoping to experience a true film-school environment during the school year, this workshop is an incredible opportunity—and past participants have even gone on to Tisch’s undergraduate program.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best filmmaking summer programs for high school students in 2025?

Some of the strongest and most popular programs include USC’s Cinematic Arts Summer Program, UCLA’s Film & Television Summer Institute, NYFA’s Teen Filmmaking Camps, SOCAPA, Interlochen, Fresh Films, OSAI, and the Bryn Mawr Summer Filmmaking Workshop. Each offers hands-on training, professional equipment, and opportunities to create real projects for your portfolio.

2. Are there free filmmaking summer programs for high school students?

Yes! Fresh Films is completely free, and OSAI provides a full scholarship to every accepted student. Some university programs also offer financial aid, discounts, or external scholarship options.

3. What skills do filmmaking summer programs typically teach?

Most programs teach core filmmaking skills such as directing, screenwriting, cinematography, sound recording, editing, producing, and collaborative storytelling. Some programs also include specialty topics like horror filmmaking, documentary production, or theme-park media design.

4. How can filmmaking summer programs help with college admissions?

These programs help you build a strong portfolio, gain experience using professional equipment, and demonstrate initiative—traits that film schools and arts-focused programs love to see. Many students use the films they create in these programs for applications to places like USC, NYU Tisch, Emerson, LMU, and Chapman.

5. When should I apply for filmmaking summer programs?

Most programs open applications between late fall and early winter, with deadlines usually from February to May. Competitive programs—especially USC, UCLA, SOCAPA, NYFA, and OSAI—fill quickly, so applying early is always the best move.

Takeaways

• Filmmaking summer programs give high school students the chance to learn the entire movie-making process—writing, directing, shooting, and editing—while building real creative confidence and portfolio-ready projects.
• The best summer film programs for high school students stand out because they offer hands-on production time, industry-level equipment, expert instructors, and the chance to collaborate with other teen filmmakers.
• Whether you want a fast-paced one-week workshop or a full six-week film-school style immersion, there’s a program for every skill level—from beginners to advanced storytellers ready to refine their craft.
• Programs like USC, UCLA, NYFA, SOCAPA, Interlochen, OSAI, and others provide not only filmmaking skills but also mentorship, networking, and standout experiences that strengthen college applications—especially if you’re aiming for competitive film schools.
• If you want personalized guidance on which filmmaking program matches your goals, check out our Academic & Extracurricular Profile Evaluation to make your experience stand out on college applications.