ABOUT THE FEATURE FILM SCHOOL What

  • The Feature Film School (TFFS) is a unique fusion of film production studio and vocational filmmaking course. TFFS offers a significant experience for those wishing to pursue a career in the industry. Our Filmmakers make a full-length feature film.

    The TFFS programme is designed for those wishing to gain vocational experience and a significant credit in filmmaking.

    This is an intensive eleven-month practical filmmaking programme for filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers and those seeking a career in the creative arts, who wish to gain vocational experience and a feature film credit.

    The programme is suitable for graduates of a relevant subject such as film, media or the arts, those who may already have some filmmaking experience, and those with a strong desire to enter the film industry.

    The programme covers targeted film theory, with TFFS’ unique evaluation module, combined with leadership skills training.

    Filmmakers will receive all practical training and support, covering pre-production, production, and post-production, through to marketing and distribution, with a strong emphasis on learning-by-doing.

    Filmmakers share equitable ownership of the finished film, and earn a major film credit working in a key role.

    During the course of the intensive eleven months, our Filmmakers will develop good relationships with a large cohort of contemporary filmmakers. They will leave with a solid grounding in Film, as well as with a cohort of close colleagues who will be invaluable contacts in their future careers.

  • Gaining vocational experience in the filmmaking world is challenging. It usually involves years of self-funded effort, and it may well take years to build a notable portfolio of work.

    Due to scarce resources and opportunities, it is highly competitive, rather than collegiate.

    TFFS offers a significant, collegiate, vocational experience, and a feature film credit which is a significant milestone in any filmmaker’s career. It provides the opportunitiy to learn and practice skills in filmmaking and the creative arts, and to gain a large cohort of peers who will share a feature film credit with you.

    It is the ideal next step after graduating in Film or if you are ready to make your first feature film.

  • TFFS selects thirty to forty students per cohort based on interest and aptitude for teamwork.

    TFFS aims to develop early-career filmmakers (trained or self-taught) to balance craft, discipline and drive with artistic menace and expression.

    Under close mentorship, the team turns a pre-selected, acclaimed screenplay into a theatrical feature film, moving through targeted film theory to pre-production, production, post-production and distribution/sales.

    Every student contributes and learns across all departments and stages.

    TFFS acts as the film studio, providing the premises, facilities, equipment and the co-ordination that are necessary for completion of the film. TFFS also delivers mentoring and evaluation, with a focus on creative results.

    Filmmakers supply discipline, drive, and artistic fire. They learn by doing, earn a major departmental credit on a feature film, and share profits equally.

  • Located in the film hub of Edinburgh, Scotland, within easy reach of the city centre, TFFS enjoys full local amenities, a thriving, welcoming neighbourhood, excellent travel connections and ample accommodation options nearby,

    TFFS’s home in Edinburgh gives students the chance to operate in a real working film production environment, with all that entails.

  • The core team at TFFS is comprised of full-time film professionals, intellectual property lawyers, and business managers.

    TFFS will also welcome industry experts to give lectures, tutorials, and masterclasses, and lend their creative insights to the annual film.

  • The course breakdown is as follows:

    MONTHS 1 and 2
    Targeted film theory and practice workshops, film appreciation, masterclasses, and analysis of the screenplay.


    MONTHS 3, 4 and 5
    Meticulous pre-production, including script breakdown, shot listing, casting, locations, rehearsals, budgeting, and logistics.

    MONTHS 6 and 7
    Production, including principal photography, pick ups and reshoots.


    MONTHS 8, 9 and 10
    Post-production, including picture editing, scoring, sound engineering, colouring, colour grading, and VFX.


    MONTH 11

    Distribution networking and finalising of sales. Preparation for theatrical release.

    After the course, Filmmakers will be afforded further opportunities, which may include facilities and screenplay provision.