Study programme

The purpose of the Master’s Degree Programme in Film is to offer individual talent the opportunity to achieve further personal development in a setting that is international, challenging and investigative. Attention is devoted not only to reflection on film but on other art and media forms as well, while also investigating the extent to which technological and social developments alter the nature of the art and industry of film and moving image-making. The programme is aimed at the maker’s personal professional development and adopts both an individual and research-based perspective.

Students are admitted on the basis of their CV and portfolio, their motivation and their research or development plan. This research or development plan can take many different forms. It may comprise an experimental study into the contemporary nature of the language of film and media, or it may investigate new forms of storytelling or help you develop your own artistic voice. The plan may likewise consist of innovative research or experiments in the areas of, for example, sound design, creative production, camera work or special effects. Or it may be designed to question the boundaries of film and thus result in new forms of audio-visual expression relating, for example, to games, installations or performance. All of these research plans can be related to a specific project (in any genre or artistic discipline) that students wish to develop within the master’s programme, but should also be interesting at a more general level and have potential relevance for the professional and / or artistic world at large.

The research plan forms the basis for a learning path which, apart from the taught course parts in year 1, is of a highly individual nature and calls for a substantial degree of independence. Each student is appointed their own coach of mentor, who supervises the student’s execution of his research plan. The school provides facilities for the performance of practical assignments, exercises and experiments. Given the – reflective – basis of the programme, however, the opportunities offered do not extend as far as making a (full-length) feature film or documentary.

The programme takes two years (120 EC); although students may spend three years in completing their studies. The first year is full time, which implies that students are expected to attend the academy on a daily basis. Time-outs may be taken during the second year, provided they are used for relevant work. Efforts will also be made during the (second part of the) first year to establish useful relations with the field of work (traineeships, courses elsewhere, mentorship). The last of these will naturally be sought solely if the student’s research plan calls for it. 

For more information regarding the programme also read the FAQ

Igor Kramer (group 2012)
I applied for the course, firstly, because I was invited to - which was odd, but nice. Secondly, because I could use a re-start. My bachelor graduation film gave me a great start into the profession, but then my spine gave up again. So I dropped out for two years and needed a new wave to surf. Thirdly, because, just like I take the term 'director' literally - I give direction to my projects: 'we must go that way' - I take the term 'master' literally: if I am responsible for a film, I must be its master!

We've just finished the first period (Space, Time, Action), which consisted of sitting, watching, listening, thinking and talking. It feels like one large exiting seminar. I can't tell what was most interesting... I guess the most interesting is still to come. Just like my life: it becomes more interesting every day.
Read more about Igor and other students of group 2012