“Understanding festival strategy changed how I finish and launch a project.”
Learn film production in North Dakota directly from an industry pro, in the real world, not a classroom. One-on-one mentorship. Build Industry Connections and Gain Real Experience.
The Film Connection in North Dakota is the best film school in the state, offering a level of contact with the film industry that other schools can’t offer. What is the difference? While other film schools gather their students into crowded classrooms, we get our students out into the “real world.” As a Film Connection student, you’ll be placed in a real film production facility as an extern, learning one-on-one from an actual film professional. Your classes occur on-the-job and on the set of actual productions, where you gain work experience and connections you wouldn’t get in any classroom.
What do you want to do in film? Do you want to be a film editor, screenwriter, cinematographer, producer or director? Whether you want to build your own production company in North Dakota, or whether you want to break into Hollywood to pitch your own film, the North Dakota Film Connection is the only film school that allows you to learn the film business by placing you inside it.
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The great thing is that you don’t have to start in Hollywood; you can start building your film career in North Dakota, and you can go to film school without leaving home, because we have film mentors in business near where you live! From major on-location film productions like “Fargo” to ongoing local television and film projects, there are plenty of opportunities to get connected to the industry without leaving the state.
Here’s how our film program works: when you are accepted as a Film Connection student, our admissions team places you as a working extern inside a real production company in your area. There are no other students in class—in fact, there is no classroom! Your classes take place on-the job, with a film professional teaching you and mentoring you one-on-one, combining a structured curriculum with plenty of actual work experience. If you’re interested in a particular area of filmmaking (for example, cinematography, editing or screenwriting), we’ll place you with a mentor who specializes in that field. And if you have ambitions of making your own movies in Los Angeles, here’s something else we do that other film schools don’t: we’ll tailor your curriculum around developing your own film idea, and when you’re ready to graduate, we’ll arrange a trip to Los Angeles for you to PITCH YOUR OWN FILM to real Hollywood executives! There is simply no other opportunity like this anywhere else.
If you’re concerned about the cost—well, so are we. We know that the worst thing you can do is try and start a film career while buried in student debt, so unlike other schools who charge ridiculously high tuition rates, we charge about 75% LESS than the competition! This keeps you focused on your film career, rather than preoccupied with paying for school.
There’s no one better to teach you filmmaking than an actual film professional, and there’s no better place to learn than in a real film company. At the North Dakota Film Connection, we don’t just take your money and give you a cookie-cutter film education—we take LESS of your money and give you a running start at an actual career in film. If you’re ready to learn more, APPLY FOR FREE today!
Some of our graduates have gone on to become film directors, script writers, and production company owners. Others are creating and producing their own films across genres like documentary, drama, comedy, action, and animation
“Understanding festival strategy changed how I finish and launch a project.”
Casey O.
“I thought writing was lonely — but getting notes each week made it collaborative.”
Tori W.
“You walk away with more than skills — you walk away changed.”
Taylor K.
“What I learned applies to everything — not just film.”
Morgan Z.
“I made more progress in two months here than in two years elsewhere.”
Quinn L.
“I didn’t just shadow — I got to lead a crew by the third week.”
Sasha B.
“I am more motivated than ever before because I can already see an enormous improvement in my writing skills, understanding of film and screenplays, and my understanding of the movie business because my mentor and I have a boxer / trainer relationship. Now that might not work with others but for me as the extern I couldn’t be happier.”
Avery Parker
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