Online Filmmaking Schools: Everything You Need to Know

An online filmmaking school teaches the theory of film and technical skills like operating a camera and editing footage. Some online programs have self-guided classes, while others offer full degrees. Whether you want to learn a specific skill or earn a degree, here are more than 100 of the best online filmmaking schools and courses you can check out.

Accredited Online Filmmaking Degrees and Certificates

Film professionals around the world recognize the filmmaking degrees and certificates from these accredited programs:

Academy of Art University: Degree in motion pictures and television
Arizona State University: Film and media studies program
Buffalo State SUNY: Television and film arts degree
California State University – Long Beach: Film and electric arts program
CUNY Brooklyn College: Film program
CUNY City College: Film and video production degree
CUNY Hunter College: Film theory and production program
CUNY Queens College: Film studies degree
Denison University: Cinema degree
Ferris State University: Television and digital media program
Full Sail: Film, digital cinematography, and creative writing for entertainment degrees
Grand Canyon University: Digital film degree
Grand Valley State University: Degrees in film and video production and photography
The Los Angeles Film School: Degrees in digital filmmaking and entertainment business
McDaniel College: Cinema degree
Michigan State University: Film studies degree
Minnesota State University – Mankato: Film and media studies degree
National University: Degrees in film arts and digital media design
New York Film Academy: Screenwriting programs
Pennsylvania State University: Film production degree
Saint Cloud State University: Film studies degree
San Francisco State University: Master’s degree in cinema studies
Stony Brook University: Master’s degree in film
SUNY at Binghamton: Cinema program
SUNY New Paltz: Visual arts program with an emphasis on photography
SUNY College at Oswego: Cinema and screen studies program
University at Buffalo: Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in film and media studies
University of California – Berkeley: Bachelor’s and master’s film programs
University of California – Davis: Cinema and digital media program
University of California – Irvine: Film and media studies program
University of California – Los Angeles: Extension courses on filmmaking
University of California – Riverside: Media and cultural studies degree
University of California – Santa Barbara: Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral film and media studies degrees
University of California – Santa Cruz: Film and digital media degree
University of Central Florida: Degrees in cinema studies, photography, and digital media
University of Central Missouri: Professional photography degree
University of Georgia: Film studies degree
University of Houston: Photography and digital media degree
University of Illinois at Chicago: Media and cinema studies degree
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Media and cinema studies degree
University of Iowa: Degrees in film studies and film and video production
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities: Cinema and media culture degree
The University of Montana: Media arts program
University of Nebraska – Lincoln: Degrees in film studies and film and new media
University of Utah: Film and media arts degree
Vassar College: Film program
Western Michigan University: Film, video, and media studies degree

Self-Guided Online Filmmaking Courses and Filmmaking MOOCs

These massive open online courses (MOOCs) and online platforms offer free or low-cost classes:

Coursera: Hundreds of college-level filmmaking courses
edX: Film theory and history courses
Film School Online: Budget-friendly filmmaking, production, and screenwriting classes
fxphd: Production and post-production program
Lights Film School: Free tutorials and paid programs
Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Dozens of top-ranked courses
Skillshare: Dozens of filmmaking tutorials
Udemy: Hundreds of budget-friendly tutorials
World Education University: Film theory classes

Best Online Filmmaking Video Tutorials: Directing/Filmmaking Courses

You can learn directing and filmmaking from these online courses and masterclasses:

The Complete Indie Production Workshop: Indie film workshop
David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film: Creative filmmaking masterclass
Directing Actors Masterclass: Training for acting and directing

DIY Filming – Creating Pro Video Course: DIY filmmaking course
Filmmaker in a Box – Learn How to Make a Low Budget Feature Film: Indie film video series

Filmmaker IQ: YouTube channel with filmmaking tutorials
Filmmaker’s Master Class With Milos Forman: Filmmaking seminar
Hollywood Film School – Filmmaking & TV Directing Masterclass

I Turned My House Into a Movie Set: DIY filmmaking tutorial
Indie Film Hustle TV: Filmmaking workshops and seminars
Jodie Foster Teaches Filmmaking: Filmmaking masterclass
Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking: Filmmaking masterclass
Mira Nair Teaches Independent Filmmaking: Independent filmmaking masterclass
Ron Howard Teaches Directing: Directing masterclass

Spike Lee Teaches Independent Filmmaking: Independent filmmaking masterclass
The Nina Foch Course for Filmmakers and Actors: Directing course from USC’s film school

Werner Herzog Teaches Filmmaking: Self-taught filmmaking masterclass

Best Online Filmmaking Video Tutorials: Cinematography Courses

You can learn cinematography from these online courses:

Basic Overview of Cinematography: Cinematography primer
Become a Cinematographer: LinkedIn collection of courses
Cinematography Basics – Understanding Filmmaking Style: Cinematography primer
Cinematography Masterclass: Professional cinematography class

DIY Cinematography – Make Your Video Look Like a Movie: Step-by-step cinematography course
Learn Cinematography: Cinematography course
Light and Face – The Art of Cinematography: Cinematography workshop

Low Budget Filmmaking – Tips and Tricks for an Indie Look: Basic low-budget filmmaking course

Best Online Filmmaking Video Tutorials: Specialist Filmmaking Courses

These online courses focus on specialized aspects of filmmaking:

Creative Filmmaking – Crafting Your Vision for Music Videos: Music video production course
Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein Teach Advertising and Creativity: Creative advertising course
Ken Burns Teaches Documentary Filmmaking: Documentary filmmaking masterclass
Marriage and the Movies: Film culture class
Vlogging for Business: Business-focused LinkedIn vlogging course
Wedding Cinematography: Wedding videography tutorial

Best Online Filmmaking Video Tutorials: Film Scoring and Composition Courses

You can learn scoring and composition for films from these online tutorials:

Christina Aguilera Teaches Singing: Singing primer
Hans Zimmer Teaches Film Scoring: Film scoring masterclass
Danny Elfman Teaches Music for Film: Composition masterclass

Best Online Filmmaking Video Tutorials: Screenwriting Courses

These online courses teach the basics of screenwriting:

Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting: Screenwriting masterclass
The Dialogue – Learn From the Masters: Screenwriting interview series

Screenwriting & Script Breakdown: Screenwriting podcast
Screenwriting Foundations – Story Development: Screenwriting course
Storytelling Blueprint – The Hero’s Two Journeys: Video course on storytelling

Best Online Filmmaking Video Tutorials: Editing Courses

These tutorials teach you how to edit films.

The Complete Video Production Bootcamp: Video production program

How to Create a Quick Change Effect in After Effects: Adobe After Effects tutorial
How to Make Your Videos Better With Sound Effects in Premiere Pro CC: Adobe Premiere Pro tutorial
Inside the Edit – Definitive Creative Editing Course: Video editing training
Premiere Pro CC 2019 Essential Training – The Basics: Adobe Premiere Pro training
Premiere Pro CC for Beginners – Video Editing in Premiere: Beginner-focused Adobe Premiere Pro tutorial
Visual Effect for Directors: Visual effects (VFX) course

Best Online Filmmaking Video Tutorials: Color Correction and Grading Courses

These tutorials show you how to apply color correction and grading:

Color Grading for Filmmaking – The Vision, Art, and Science: Technical and theoretical course on color grading
Introduction to Video Color Correction: Digital color correction LinkedIn course

Best Online Filmmaking Video Tutorials: Technical and Equipment Courses

You can learn the technical basics from these video tutorials:

Acting: Acting podcast
DSLR Camera Essentials – Film & Edit Stunning Time-lapse Videos: Time-lapse filmmaking course for digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera users
DSLR Filmmaking for Beginners: DSLR tutorial
DSLR Video Tips – Technical Knowledge: Technical tutorial for DSLR users
Film Lighting Masterclass – Learn to Light on a Budget: Cinematic lighting course

Introduction to Digital Sound Design: Sound design tutorial
The Master Course in High-End Blocking & Staging: Camera blocking course

The Minimalist DSLR Filmmaking Guide – How to Film in 20 Min: Tutorial for shooting short films
New School’s Film & Media YouTube Channel: Filmmaking YouTube channel
Pixar – The Math Behind the Movies: Technical animation course
Sound for Indie Film – Record Audio Like a Pro: Sound recording training