Admissions
Each year, the dffb admits up to twelve students in the discipline of Directing, up to six students in the discipline of Cinematography and up to eight students in the discipline of Producing.
Each of these curriculums has a regular study period of four years. However, in our experience, the thesis film takes as long as six years to finish.
The Screenwriting Academy educates a class of ten students each year. Their curriculum takes three years to complete.
Important dates and deadlines
The application process takes place every year. The school year begins at the end of September.
The application process starts in autumn for the upcoming next year. The admissions exams take place in spring, from which the final students are selected.
For specific dates and deadlines, please see the information to the separate curriculums.
Prerequisites
Admission to the dffb is solely dependant on selection through the admissions exam. One must be 21 years of age by the date one plans to begin studying if one would like to apply.
Successful practical experience or a finished education in related areas such as film, television, theater, and journalism heighten the chances of an applicant but are not necessary prerequisites.
English and computer skills are expected in all disciplines.
The applications for producing and scriptwriting must be composed in German. Applicants for directing and cinematography may take both the written and the oral/practical exam in English. English application forms can be found on this website.
However, in order to be admitted to the studies, the certificate B2 of the Goethe-Institute is an obligatory language verification and must be presented at the beginning of the academic year (September 1st).
Find more information about the certificate B2 here: Goethe-Institut
One may apply only two times to the dffb, regardless of subject area. Civil or military service proof or the notice of deferment thereof should accompany the application.
Tuition fees
Directing, cinematography and producing students have to pay a tuiton fee of 200 € per year.
Screenwriting students have to pay a tuition fee of 1275 € for the first year and 1200 € for the second and third year.
The tuition fees need to be paid before the start of each academic year.
Financial aid
Students at the dffb may apply for BAFöG. Once one has been accepted at the dffb, an application for BAFöG should be sent as soon as possible to:
Studentenwerk Berlin
Hardenbergstr. 34
10623 Berlin
German and foreign students may both apply. Foreign students must qualify under
§8 BAFöG.
Only those who qualify for BAFöG have a right to its support. A second education is never supported by BAFöG. You may find further information to educational support on the webpage of the Studentenwerk Berlin.