Special Programs

35MM Filmmaking in Prague

Be a Master of Film. Direct or DP a 35MM sync sound film in the Czech Republic.

Carry out the vision for your story in a city whose cinematic history stretches back to the early days of the art form itself. From the late 1800s, when the first Czech films were made in the region of Bohemia, through the political struggles of the 1960s that spawned the Czech New Wave, the film heritage of this country will give you a rich tapestry of material to draw from.

There is no match for the beauty of an image captured on film. The incredible dynamic range and fine grain offered by film stock make it the medium of choice for directors such as Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan, despite the convenience and low cost of digital formats. Learn to harness the visual power of 35mm and broaden your talents as an aspiring director or director of photography. You’ll have the opportunity to complete your project in a supervised post-production session where you color correct and transfer your original 35mm negative. 

"I truly do believe that the FAMUxNYU program is one of the most important and rewarding courses I have ever taken at NYU. The ability to learn new skills and perspectives on how filmmaking is undertaken in other parts of the world is an ever increasingly important skill.

FAMU helped me understand that filmmaking is an academic exercise, one that can be studied in the classroom as well as on set. I feel that I gained a real, substantive viewpoint on how film is approached in Europe. From how casting differs all the way to how you work with crews, FAMU taught me that to be a filmmaker you need to be open to new experiences, and be accepting of new viewpoints."


— Sam Siegel, 35mm Filmmaking in Prague, summer 2025

Program Overview

The Tisch School offers this program in collaboration with one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious film schools, the Film and Television School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU). FAMU is an independent academy which focuses on audio and visual media. Their alumni include Jiri Menzel (Closely Watched Trains), Milos Forman (Amadeus and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) and Agnieszkha Holland (Europa Europa). The FAMU faculty are active members of the Czech filmmaking community (including established cinematographers, directors, editors, scholars, and writers).  Under their expert guidance, you will have the opportunity to branch out and study 35mm sync-sound filmmaking from an entirely different tradition and culture.

Note: The Prague academic year program varies slightly from the summer program. In summer, you must indicate your preference for one role: director or director of photography. Students will be accepted into the eight-week program in one role. In summer, all films are exterior projects. 

 

Curriculum

Students will enroll in the following two courses for a total of 8 units.

Please Note: Students studying abroad on a Tisch track are not eligible to pursue an internship (except for Theatre in Ghana and Television Writing in London). Tisch programs do not provide work visas.    

Master Class in 35mm Filmmaking

IFMTV-UT 1200 | 4 units | Instructor: FAMU Faculty

This is an intensive program, taught by world-renowned faculty of FAMU, including master teachers who are industry professionals. Students receive hands-on training exploring essential elements and tools of advanced sync-sound film production through 35mm filmmaking. Course work covers a detailed overview of screenwriting, directing, and editing, including workshops in 35 mm motion picture camera and lighting techniques. Rushes are screened with intensive critique sessions. Participants finish the course with a final off-line group edit. 

Note: Students should bring their own laptops and can access their Adobe Creative Cloud via their NYU Net ID.

Note for NYU Tisch Undergraduate Film and Television Majors: The maximum length for an intermediate film to be eligible for NYU Tisch Film festivals is 8 minutes. 

Seminar on Czech Cinema and Culture

IFMTV-UT 1040 l 4 units | Instructor: FAMU Faculty

Emphasizing one of the most influential movements in the post-World War II era, the cinema of the Czech New Wave, this course explores the history and development of Czech and Slovak cinema and its impact on contemporary culture. Lectures are supplemented with screenings and field trips. 

Watch

Florence, Italy

Tisch Special Programs - Study Abroad

Program Dates

Summer 2026

Student Arrival: Monday, May 18, 2026
Student Departure: Saturday, July 11, 2026

Arrival and departure dates are subject to change.

Admissions

The summer 2026 application is closed.

Prerequisites:

  • Collaborative Arts majors: Cinematic Narratives (COART-UT 4) and Fundamentals of Digital Filmmaking II (OART-UT 561) and Production Safety & Set Protocol (FMTV-UT 101)

  • Film/TV majors: Sight and Sound Filmmaking (FMTV-UT 43) and one more Sight and Sound of your choice (FMTV-UT 51 or FMTV-UT 80), Production Safety & Set Protocol (FMTV-UT 101). No exceptions will be made for the prerequisites. Prerequisites will not be waived.
  • For Tisch Film majors in the cinematography concentration, it is suggested that you participate in Prague after taking Camera I.

  • NYU Students: Fundamentals of Digital Filmmaking (OART-UT 560) and Fundamentals of Digital Filmmaking II (OART-UT 561) and Production Safety & Set Protocol (FMTV-UT 101) or equivalent.

  • Visiting Students: College-level experience in narrative film production

For more information please view our Admissions Calendar.

Application: Please read the following application requirements before starting your application.

Students who are currently on a study visa or have a question about applying for a visa to this location, should be in contact with the Office of Global Services regarding their visa needs and the process. 

Note: Students should wait to receive their admissions notification and confirmation that the program is running prior to purchasing airline tickets. Students accepted to the program should purchase refundable airline tickets and/or travel insurance in the event the program is canceled or program dates are changed due to world events. It is strongly recommended that students purchase insurance for trip cancellation, flight cancellation, luggage loss or damage, as well as medical and accident coverage.

Students filming during the Summer 2025 35 mm Filmmaking program in Prague

Photo by Sam Siegel

Expenses

Summer 2026

  • Undergraduate summer 2026 tuition: $16,016
  • Program Fee: $745
  • Lab Fee: $691
  • Housing: 
        Single: $4,565
        Double: $3,575
        Triple: $3,135
        Quad: $2,750
  • CSI Insurance: is approximately $160
  • Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to/from the program.

For the length of the program, students will be enrolled in GeoBlue Health Insurance. Students traveling beyond the dates of the program are encouraged to enroll themselves in GeoBlue Health Insurance. 

Visit the NYU Office of the Bursar for additional information on tuition and fees.

Apply

Scholarship and Financial Aid

There are opportunities for financial assistance to study abroad.

Please review the Scholarships and Financial Aid for Study Abroad page for more information.

Housing

Housing for this program is mandatory. Please note: Your choice of room preference or residence hall preference (if available) is not guaranteed.

Visit the NYU Prague website for housing options and descriptions.