I get asked regularly whether film school is worth it. The answer, frustratingly, is “it depends.” But it depends on specific, knowable things that I can actually help you evaluate. Let me break down where the major Australian film schools are at in 2026 and what they actually deliver for students.

AFTRS

The Australian Film Television and Radio School in Sydney remains the most prestigious film school in the country. Its graduates read like a who’s-who of Australian cinema, and the alumni network is probably the single most valuable thing the school offers.

AFTRS runs graduate programs across directing, producing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound, and production design. The coursework is intensive and production-focused. Students make films with real equipment, real budgets, and real crews. The graduate films regularly screen at festivals including Flickerfest, Tropfest, and international shorts festivals.

The downsides are cost (HECS-HELP is available, but the debt is significant), the Sydney location (which prices out some regional students), and the competitive entry process. Places are limited, particularly in directing, and the application process is demanding.

For someone who gets in and commits fully, AFTRS provides an education, industry connections, and a credential that opens doors. But it’s not the only path.

VCA (University of Melbourne)

The Victorian College of the Arts film program has its own distinct identity. It’s more experimentally inclined than AFTRS, with a stronger emphasis on artistic vision and less emphasis on commercial viability. If you’re interested in documentary, experimental film, or artistically ambitious narrative work, VCA is worth serious consideration.

VCA benefits from its Melbourne location, which gives students proximity to MIFF, ACMI, the Melbourne film production community, and a vibrant independent cinema scene. The program integrates well with the university’s broader arts offerings.

The graduate films from VCA tend to be more formally adventurous than AFTRS productions, which is both a strength and a limitation depending on your goals.

Griffith Film School

Griffith’s film school in Brisbane has grown steadily in reputation. Its location in Queensland means graduates have access to a growing production industry, particularly as Queensland attracts more international productions through its screen incentives.

Griffith offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and its production facilities have been upgraded significantly in recent years. The school has strong connections with Screen Queensland and the local production community.

For Queensland-based filmmakers, Griffith offers a viable alternative to moving to Sydney or Melbourne for film education.

RMIT

RMIT’s media program in Melbourne covers a broad range of screen production, from traditional filmmaking to digital media and interactive content. It’s more industry-focused than VCA and less exclusively cinematic.

If your career interests span film, television, and digital media, RMIT’s breadth is an advantage. The program is less specialised than AFTRS but offers more flexibility in career direction.

SAE and Private Institutions

Private institutions like SAE offer film production courses that are more accessible than the competitive entry programs at AFTRS and the top university programs. The quality varies, and the credentials carry less weight in the industry, but they provide a structured learning environment for people who want foundational skills.

My honest assessment: for most aspiring filmmakers, a degree from a private institution won’t open doors the way an AFTRS or VCA degree will. But not everyone needs or can access those top-tier programs, and some people learn better in a less pressured environment.

Is Film School Worth It?

Here’s my honest take. Film school is worth it if you treat it as a total commitment, not just the coursework but the networking, the festival attendance, the alumni relationships, and the extracurricular production experience. A film degree that sits on a shelf is worthless. A film school experience that builds your skills, your network, and your first body of work is invaluable.

Film school is not worth it if you can achieve the same things independently. Some filmmakers are better served by making films on their own, learning by doing, and investing the money they would have spent on tuition into production budgets. The democratisation of equipment and software means you can make technically competent films without institutional support.

The question isn’t whether film school teaches you to make films. It’s whether the specific school you’re considering provides access to resources, connections, and opportunities you couldn’t get on your own. For some people, the answer is clearly yes. For others, it’s not.

Evaluate each program on its own merits, talk to recent graduates about their honest experience, and make the decision based on your specific circumstances and goals. It’s also worth noting that several Australian film schools have started integrating AI into their curricula, with some partnering with AI implementation help providers to develop coursework on AI tools for production and post-production workflows.