Advanced Filmmaking Program
This new, advanced four-week summer program is designed for students ready to push their craft further. The Advanced Filmmaking Program includes a 4-day / 3-night on-location trip “out of town” within a 1/2 day’s trip from Washington DC where you will practice filmmaking in real-world settings. Back on campus, you’ll deepen your production and editing skills, work with seasoned mentors, and tackle themes of place, story and impact. The result: a film produced by your team, and you are equipped not only with technical know-how but full production experience as well. The program will require indoor/outdoor and day/night filming.
Duration
4 weeks (intensive)
Participants are expected to attend the full program including all the production days which can be up to 10 hours of commitment.
Dates
Monday July 6, 2026 — Friday July 31, 2026
Hours
12.30PM — 5.30PM, Monday — Friday
Slots
10 students maximum
Age
14–18 years old (age exceptions will be considered)
Location
Foundry United Methodist Church
1500 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
Pricing
Registration fee for DC residents is $75.
Registration fee for anyone living outside of DC is $95.
The teaching program is free of charge but the "on location" cost is $400 per participant to cover transportation, housing, cooking and meals for 3 nights and 4 days in our temporary production house.
Who can apply?
In order to participate, applicants must prove to be between 14–18 years old.
No experience required. We can accommodate beginners and those with experience. Participants are expected to attend the full program including all the production days which can be up to 10 hours of commitment.
If you have attended a DCIFF summer program before, then we will know your work. Just send us the name of the film you worked on and the year. If you have not attended a DCIFF Summer Intensive Program before, then please send a link to a completed film project which has your name on it for our team to review.
Supervision
The program is taught by two background-checked professional teachers and the production trip is fully chaperoned by two staff and one supervisor.
Weekly Schedule
Pre-Program Week
June 29 – July 3
You are welcome to join the first week of our Filmmaking Program for a refresher if you want, but this is not part of the Advanced Filmmaking Program.
Week One
July 6 – 10
Pre-Production: script, roles, production design.
Week Two
July 13 – 16
Pre-Production: sets, shot lists, rehearsals, equipment preparation, scheduling.
Production Trip Weekend
This is going to be a 4-day / 3-night on-location trip “out of town” (within a 1/2 day’s trip from Washington DC) where participants will practice filmmaking in real-world settings.
Week Three
Dailies, review, post-production prep.
Week Four
July 27 – 31
Post-Production
Showcase
July 31 (Fri)
Pre-Production: script, roles, production design.
Selection & Fee Payment
Our team will review applications upon reception. Applicants will be informed of our selection decision within a week after submitting the application.
Notices of selection will come with instructions to pay the registration fee. In order to confirm admission to the program, we ask all selected students to pay the fee promptly.
Need help applying? Do not hesitate to reach out for guidance about eligibility, timelines, or application forms → info@y-cam.org