ifs internationale filmschule köln

The ifs internationale filmschule köln is a recognized full study and further education institution serving aspiring media professionals. The school is an initiative of the NRW state government and the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW and was founded in 2000 as a non-profit company. The ZDF, along with the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, is also a principal partner of the ifs.
The ifs offers students in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences Cologne the bachelor program FILM with a total of six majors (Screenwriting, Directing, Creative Producing, Director of Photography, Editing Picture & Sound and Digital Film Arts), providing a hands-on artistic education under one roof. The master’s program in Serial Storytelling has started at the ifs in autumn 2013. Several further education programs provide training to young audiovisual media professionals.
Individual and intensive supervision is the core focus of the study and further education programs at the ifs. For this reason, the organizational framework is structured on small numbers of students and a 2-year admissions cycle to the programs.
The education and training is focused on combining a foundation of scientific-theoretical and technical skills with artistic hands-on project work. 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.