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ifs internationale filmschule köln

www.filmschule.de

updated 12/10/2022

ifs internationale filmschule köln

Presentation & Philosophy: 

The ifs internationale filmschule köln is a full study and further education institution with an artistic-scientific focus serving aspiring media professionals. On the initiative of the NRW state government and the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW the school was founded in 2000 as a non-profit company, the Film- und Medienstiftung being the sole principal partner of the ifs. The ifs is consistently ranked as one of the best film schools in Germany, based on its outstanding student support, excellent teaching and project work, and active festival participation, including a Student Academy Award.

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The ifs’ portfolio covers Bachelor’s programmes in Screenwriting, Directing, Creative Producing, Director of Photography, Editing Picture & Sound, VFX & Animation, and Production Design, as well as international Master’s programmes in Serial Storytelling, Digital Narratives, 3D Animation for Film & Games and - from 2021 - Entertainment Producing and Film. The study programmes are carried out in cooperation with the TH Köln - University of Applied Sciences. In addition, there are several further education programmes for media professionals ranging from Acting to Masterclass Non-Fiction.

Individual and intensive supervision is the core focus of the study and further education programmes at the ifs. For this reason, the organizational framework is structured on small numbers of students and a 2-year admissions cycle to the programmes. The education and training is focused on combining a foundation of scientific-theoretical and technical skills with artistic hands-on project work. The film studies programme is thereby aligned with the principles of narrative film and storytelling. The combination of professional specialization and interdisciplinary cooperation is characteristic for the education at the ifs. Early on, students work together with all the crafts involved in the filmmaking process, thereby generating important contacts in the industry already during their studies. Close collaboration with national and international teachers from both the industry and academia guarantees the students a first-class education, comparable to international standards.

The courage and will to promote ongoing development and change is what distinguishes the ifs. The school enjoys a constant flow of impulses and inspiration through its close collaborations in all the fields of the audiovisual landscape as well as through an ongoing critical evaluation of its study and further education programmes. The primary focus lies on the media developments and innovations of the future. The ifs offers its students an innovative media education that imparts the artistic and technical skills and foundation for professional filmmaking and thereby integrating new technological developments as well as promoting and conveying aesthetic and dramaturgical potential.

The school is a member of CILECT, the International Association of Film and Television Schools, and cultivates partnerships with a global network of film schools and universities.

Study programmes

B.A. Film

Storytelling and the ability to work in a team – that’s what the ifs BA FILM Programme is all about.

The study programme focuses on delivering the artistic, theoretical, and practical skills and foundation for professional filmmaking. Students gain a thorough grasp of what film is all about: an understanding of story material, dramaturgy, artistic composition and design, and production strategies. In the process of developing ideas and stories into screenplays and turning those scripts into films in the various filmmaking projects, students can creatively apply their acquired knowledge and skills in interdisciplinary teamwork.

The Bachelor’s Programme Film offers the following specializations: Screenwriting, Film Directing, Creative Producing, Director of Photography, Editing Picture & Sound, VFX & Animation, or Production Design.

In the course of their studies, the cinematic narratives and media implementations become increasingly complex and challenging, thus enabling the students to gradually gain expertise in their specialization. Among other aspects, the programme is also designed to foster the students’ personal development and help them find their individual artistic style and voice.

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Duration: 7 semesters, full-time
Admission: every two years (winter semester)
Language: German

More information: https://www.filmschule.de/en/programs/overview-ba-film/

M.A. Serial Storytelling

The MA Serial Storytelling at the ifs internationale filmschule köln is Europe’s first and only master’s programme focusing on collaborative writing for series. Focusing on both local and international series markets, this intensive two-year degree programme combines story development skills, collaboration techniques (“Writers’ Room”), and the innovative approach of artistic research.

Students work with highly acclaimed international guest speakers and scholars, such as Jane Espenson (Battlestar Gallactica, Game of Thrones), Kath Lingenfelter (Westworld), Lisa Albert (Mad Men), Annette Hess (Ku’damm 56/69/63), Oliver Kienle (Bad Banks) or Jeppe Gjervig Gram (Borgen). The programme is supported by a number of industry partners, e.g. RTL, TVNOW, ZDF, SKY Deutschland, Série Series, Series Mania, and the Film Festival Cologne.

Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 4 semesters (2 years)
Admission: every two years (winter semester)
Language: International track: English / German track: English and German
Residency: 14 weeks in semesters 1-3, 6 weeks in semester 4
More information: https://www.filmschule.de/en/programs/serial-storytelling/

M.A. Digital Narratives

The ifs international MA Digital Narratives programme offers dedicated media and cultural professionals an opportunity to develop and produce stories with and for the future of digital media.

The programme combines creative processes exploring dramaturgy and design with theoretical investigations in the fields of media and cultural studies. Students will study and practice creative digital development and production methods that will enable them to create innovative and immersive narrative forms of communication for digital platforms and genres such as VR/AR, web series, apps, graphic novels, and games – to name a few.

The MA Digital Narratives supports young creatives to develop their artistic, practical and theoretical skills in the evolving business scene of digital culture.

Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 4 semesters (2 years)
Admission: every two years (winter semester)
Language: English
Residency: semesters 1-2: 12 weeks, semester 3: 8 weeks, semester 4: 3 weeks
More information: https://www.filmschule.de/en/programs/digital-narratives/

M.A. 3D Animation for Film & Games

The Master of Arts in 3D Animation for Film & Games is a project-oriented cooperative study programme of the Cologne Game Lab of the TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences) and the ifs internationale filmschule köln. It allows students to pursue their career in the media industry, while at the same time expanding their expertise in 3D animation in such areas as design, technology and dramaturgy within an academic context.

The course of study covers animated movies, digital games and immersive technologies, such as virtual reality and augmented reality consequently granting students the opportunity to discover unique forms of creative expression and fresh professional perspectives. In the age of converging media, animated imageries as well as their production gain complexity, therefore, creating new challenges for 3D artists. The MA 3D Animation for Film & Games prepares students for this dynamic working environment through a clear hands-on approach, cooperation with the industry and a wide portfolio of media theory, ultimately enabling them to shape the evolving field between linear and non-linear productions.

Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 4 semesters (2 years)
Admission: every year (winter semester)
Language: English
Residency: During the lecture period students will attend 12 hours of seminars, lectures and mentoring sessions per week. These will take place on Mondays (all day) and Wednesday evenings.
More information: https://www.filmschule.de/en/programs/3d-animation-for-film-games/

M.A. Entertainment Producing

The new MA Entertainment Producing of the ifs internationale filmschule köln is a unique course of study in the German-speaking world for the production of non-fictional entertainment formats.

The 2-year, part-time programme offers media professionals from the entertainment industry and career changers from related fields the opportunity to expand and deepen their theoretical and practical knowledge in order to further qualify for management tasks or entrepreneurial activities.

Key Areas:
• Development, production and exploitation of entertainment formats
• Leadership, strategy, innovation, collaboration, management and law
• Entertainment history and media transformation processes, market and media research
• social responsibility in the entertainment industry

The Master’s programme was developed at the initiative and with the support of the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW and in close cooperation with the production industry.
Accordingly, the teaching staff is largely recruited from prominent industry representatives. The current pool of experts in the ifs Entertainment Program includes Ute Biernat (CEO, UFA Show & Factual), René Jamm (CEO, Warner), Stefan Oelze (Executive Board, Rosebank), Christiane Ruff (CEO, ITV Studios), Mike Timmermann (Senior Executive Producer, Talpa) and Godehard Wolpers (Managing Director, Brainpool TV).

Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 4 semesters (2 years)
Admission: every two years (winter semester)
Language: German; international contents/lecturers in English
Residency:
Semester 1 – 3:
• Introductory phase at the beginning of the study of 3-4 days en bloc
• approx. 16 days per semester, i.e. approx. 6 days per month during the lecture period (3 weekends per month, Friday/Saturday)
Semester 4:
approx. 5 days accompanying the Master’s project (tutorials, colloquia, final events)
More information: https://www.filmschule.de/en/programs/ma-entertainment-producing/

M.A. Film

The newly conceived Master’s programme Film is based on cooperation between students from diverse disciplines who work on rethinking the medium of film in correlation to current social issues and explore new narrative forms. The starting point for this is the idea that collective experience through practical experimentation enriches both the learning process and the production process, the result of which is more than the sum of its parts. Co-creative work can release an energy that amplifies, even multiplies, the potential of individual artistic input. This is where the new degree programme comes in and offers filmmakers the opportunity to expand their previously individually acquired subject-specific competences with an integral and substantial understanding of film.

The German-language degree programme is aimed at young filmmakers from audiovisual creative fields (such as directing, producing, cinematography, editing, sound design, screenwriting, production design) with a strong team spirit, interest in co-creative working methods, artistic research and socially relevant topics.

A prerequisite for participation in this Master’s programme is at least one year of relevant professional experience.

Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 4 semesters (2 years)
Admission:every two years (winter semester)
Language: German
Residency: The first three semesters each consist of a total of six weeks of attendance time and approx. 11-12 weeks of project time (usually self-study).

More information: https://www.filmschule.de/en/ma-film/

School Information:

ifs internationale filmschule köln
Schanzenstr. 28
51063 Cologne
Germany

Website: www.filmschule.de
e-mail: info@filmschule.de
Tel: +49 221 920188-0

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