Film & Media programs for high schoolers.
30 programs indexed in film & media. 14 are free or pay a stipend. 5 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new film & media program.
All film & media programs
- Highly SelectiveAmerican UniversityAmerican University Discover the World of Communication
Pre-college program in journalism, film, PR, and digital media.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ 1-3 weeks📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAAJAAsian American Journalists Association JCamp
Free six-day multicultural journalism program for high school students.
📍 Rotating (US)⏱ 6 days📅 Winter🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveC-SPANC-SPAN StudentCam
Annual student documentary competition on public policy.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 January🎓 Grades 6–12 - ModerateCSSSA FoundationCalifornia State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)
Multi-disciplinary arts sessions for young artists to collaborate and learn from professionals.
📍 Valencia, CA⏱ 4 weeks📅 March 15🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateInterlochenInterlochen Arts Camp
Renowned summer arts camp across music, theater, dance, visual arts, writing, film.
📍 Interlochen, MI⏱ 1-6 weeks📅 January🎓 Grades 3–12 - SelectiveInterlochen Center for the ArtsInterlochen Arts Camp: Film & New Media Programs (High School)
High school film & new media summer programs.
📍 Interlochen, Michigan🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveInterlochen Center for the ArtsInterlochen Arts Camp: One-Week Intensives
One-week intensive arts programs for high school students in various disciplines.
📍 Interlochen, Michigan🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateInterlochen Center for the ArtsInterlochen Summer Arts Camp
Premier summer arts camp in music, theatre, dance, visual arts, creative writing, film, motion picture arts.
📍 Interlochen, MI⏱ 1-6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 3–12 - SelectiveMuseum of Modern ArtMoMA Teen Apprentice
Paid teen apprenticeship in arts curation, design, and education at MoMA.
📍 NY⏱ Summer + school year📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveNFFTYNational Film Festival for Talented Youth
Largest youth film festival in the world for filmmakers 24 and under.
📍 Seattle, WA⏱ 4 days📅 Winter🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNational GeographicNational Geographic Slingshot Challenge
Annual video competition for ages 13-18 on environmental solutions with cash prizes.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Winter🎓 Grades 7–12 - SelectiveYoungArtsNational YoungArts Foundation Competition
National arts competition for ages 15-18 across 10 disciplines; finalists receive cash and YoungArts Week.
📍 Miami, FL⏱ Self-paced📅 Fall🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveYoungArtsNational YoungArts Week
Week-long master classes and performances in Miami for YoungArts winners across 10 disciplines.
📍 Miami, FL⏱ 1 week📅 Fall🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateNew York Film AcademyNew York Film Academy High School Programs
Summer and gap-year programs in filmmaking, acting, photography, and game design.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ 1-12 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateNYFANew York Film Academy Summer
Summer film, acting, photography, and animation camps.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ 1-4 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateNYT/School of the New York TimesNew York Times Summer Academy
Pre-college summer programs in journalism, business, media, and storytelling.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 1-2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateThe New York TimesNYT Summer Academy
Journalism, filmmaking, and writing courses taught by Times journalists. Limited need-based aid.
📍 NY / Remote (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateInterlochen Arts CampOne-Week Intensives Arts Camp
One-week intensive arts programs covering various disciplines like music, theatre, visual arts, creative writing, dance, film & new media, and interdisciplinary arts. Students will perfect their skills and learn new ones alongside lifelong friends.
📍 Interlochen, Michigan, USA📅 Applications open Sept. 1 for Camp 2027🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateNYU TischOnline High School Screenwriters Workshop
Learn the basic principles of writing for film and television in the Online High School Screenwriters Workshop. You will develop story ideas and characters, and learn film language and script structure. The workshop culminates with submitted scenes, a short screenplay, a synopsis of a feature film and television series, plus four college credits (units).
📍 Multiple🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectivePBSPBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs
Network of student newsrooms producing stories for PBS.
📍 Multiple states⏱ Academic year📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAlliance for Young Artists & WritersScholastic Art & Writing Awards
The longest-running recognition program for creative teens in the US — writing, visual art, photography, film.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Year-long competition📅 December-January (regional)🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateSAICSchool of the Art Institute Early College
Summer art and design intensives for high schoolers.
📍 Chicago, IL⏱ 1-4 weeks📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateUCLA School of the Arts and ArchitectureUCLA Summer Art Institute
An intensive experience where students focus on one area of study, including film, theater, or design.
📍 Los Angeles, CA⏱ 4 weeks📅 March 15🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUSC Summer Cinematic Arts Program
A hands-on summer intensive for students passionate about cinematic arts and production.
📍 Los Angeles, CA⏱ 4 weeks📅 April 1🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateUSC School of Cinematic ArtsUSC Summer Programs Cinematic Arts
Four-week filmmaking pre-college at USC for rising 11th-12th graders.
📍 Los Angeles, CA⏱ 4 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateUSC School of Cinematic ArtsUSC Summer Programs Film
Pre-college film production programs at USC.
📍 Los Angeles, CA⏱ 4 weeks📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNational YoungArts FoundationYoungArts
Free national arts competition. Winners receive cash awards, mentorship, and the chance to perform at YoungArts Week in Miami.
📍 Miami + regional⏱ 1 week📅 October🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateNational YoungArtsYoungArts at Oberlin: A One-Day Summer Intensive for High School Artists
A one-day summer intensive program at Oberlin Conservatory of Music for high school artists.
📍 Oberlin Conservatory of Music📅 Aug 12, 2026🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNational YoungArts FoundationYoungArts Awards
National competition in writing, visual arts, design, music, theater, film for 15-18 year olds.
📍 Miami, FL⏱ Year-round📅 October🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveNational Foundation for the Advancement of ArtistsYoungArts National Arts Competition
One of the nation's most prestigious honors for high school students in the visual, literary, and performing arts.
📍 Miami, FL / Nationwide📅 December 1🎓 Grades 10–12