Grady and Franklin Colleges, and Athena Studios

The University of Georgia’s new Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Media produces highly trained filmmakers ready to give voice to stories that matter in today’s competitive global marketplace.

Grady College at UGA

Students spend two years living in Athens, GA, completing core curriculum on the University of Georgia’s campus, home of the National Champion Bulldogs and the Peabody Awards. Home to UGA’s over 40,000 students, Athens is a lively college town with historic architecture and natural beauty, providing our students with a plethora of dynamic and cinematic filming locations.

Franklin College at UGA

The Department of Theatre and Film Studies in Franklin College is a crucial partner in the success of the MFA Film Program. In addition to the classes taken in Grady College, students will also learn from industry veterans and awarded faculty members in the areas of acting for the camera, set design, and costume design. Through this educational joint venture, students head into their second year with a well-rounded education of what happens on camera, behind the camera, and all that happens long before a camera gets involved.

Athena Studios in Athens, GA

In addition to the facilities and equipment located at Grady College, our program will teach its first-year production courses at our dedicated 14,000 square foot production hub at Athena Studios, located just a short 8-minute drive from campus.

With the next phase of construction underway, Athena Studios has plans to be a sprawling and fully functional 350,000 square foot complex prepared to house the next wave of Georgia-filmed entertainment content.

2022 Georgia film industry at a glance

The production industry in Georgia has never been stronger and continues to expand. The state of Georgia currently ranks among the top three film and television production centers in the nation. For the 2022 fiscal year, Georgia was home to 412 projects with a combined in-state expenditure of $4.4 billion, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

“This fiscal year…movies filmed in Georgia claimed four of the top six spots for highest domestic-grossing movies: ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (No. 2), ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ (3), ‘Black Panther’ (5), and ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (6), reported the GDEcD, as well as the widely celebrated television series ‘Watchmen’, ‘Stranger Things’, ‘Ozark’, and ‘WandaVision’.

412

film projects in Georgia

52,000

film industry jobs in Georgia

4.4

billion dollar investment in Georgia film industry

Faculty

Our outstanding faculty are award-winning artists dedicated to their craft and are prepared to empower the next generation of talent for successful careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the costs to participate in the MFA Film program?

Annual tuition is $16,000 (approximate in state): $41,000 (approximate out of state). Accepted students will also be required to have a laptop and some specialized software. Estimated costs range between $2,000-3,000.

What is the difference between the MFA in Film, Television and Digital Media program and the low residency MFA Program in Narrative Media?

The MFA in Film, Television and Digital Media program is an intensive six semester, two-year residential program in which students will be trained in the above-the-line roles of screenwriting, directing and producing. They will also have coursework in camera and lighting, editing and production design. Students in this program will produce a number of short films, as well as a capstone thesis film or television pilot. If you want to learn a comprehensive set of filmmaking skills and can reside in Athens, Georgia, this program may be for you.

The MFA Program in Narrative Media is a 2 ½-year, five semester low-residency program that offers two tracks: Screenwriting and Narrative Nonfiction Writing. Students attend two week-long residencies each year on the Athens campus, one in August and one in January, and then complete the remainder of their work online under the supervision of a faculty writing professor. Screenwriting students in this program will develop at least two full-length screenplays or television pilots. If you are specifically interested in screenwriting, or are unable to relocate for two years, this program may be for you. Please see our MFA in Narrative Media website for more details.

Does tuition cover lodging?

Housing is not covered by tuition and fees. Students are responsible for securing their own housing.

Contact

For more information contact Sarah Grizzle.

Harika Bommana

MFA Film Program Coordinator

MFA program Film, Television & Digital Media

Grady College

Email: Harika.Bommana@uga.edu

Want to Get Started?

This is the first MFA program for film production at a public university in Georgia and is offered to students at a tuition rate comparable to other graduate programs at UGA, making it one of the most affordable programs of its caliber in the country.

© University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602   |   706-542-3000

Header image provided by Chris Gerlach