Best Film Summer Camps For Students
Lights, camera, action! If your young teenager has Hollywood goals one day, sending them to one of these film summer camps is a great way to help them meet those aspirations. These awesome filmmaking camps teach children all the aspects of film production, from screenwriting, directing, editing, and cinematography.
You’ll find a good mix of introductory courses for younger kids and more intensive programs for teens that can be used for college credits or to jumpstart their career as an indie filmmaker. In our guide, we included in-person camps as well as online programs to find the one that best suits your young artists interests.
Film Summer Programs at Interlochen Arts Camp
Interlochen, MI
Create a movie from start to finish at Interlochen Arts Camp this summer. Youth can bring their imagination to life as they experience every step in the process of cinematic storytelling, from writing screenplays to location production and editing to showcasing their final project during the end of summer screening.
As a filmmaking student, kids and teens can participate in workshops like: Production, Post-Production/Editing, Screenwriting, Tech Skills, and Film History, and much more. Students leave camp with self-confidence, new skills, and lifelong friendships. Let your kid's imagination run wild at Interlochen Arts Camp.
SOCAPA Film
Multiple locations
School of Creative and Performing Arts (SOCAPA) offers one of the most intensive filmmaking summer camps for teens ages 13 to 18 years old.
They have a total of six programs. Beginners start with the three-week Core Filmmaking Program, which can be used to earn three college credits.
At this film summer program, they're taught the basics of writing, directing, and editing, similar to what they'd get in a college introductory course. They also take turns working as a production assistant, sound technician, and director of photography before submitting a final film project.
SOCAPA has specific summer workshops for screenwriting, acting, and action films. After getting experience behind the camera, they can also take the...
Loyola Marymount University
Online
If your teen is interested in becoming a content creator, you can sign them up for the Social Impact Filmmaking Course offered by one of the most prestigious film schools in the country — Loyola University.
This filmmaking course is focused on making films that can change the world and make a real difference in the community. The course is online, so anyone from the country can sign up!
In the first week, they learn to structure, write, edit, and cast. In the next two weeks, they produce their short film, using any camera and locations in their own home. High school students are guided by the course mentors while being encouraged to use their...
Camp Flix
Atlanta, GA
Camp Flix is one of the most popular film camps in Atlanta that has been running for 10 years.
It's open to kids ages 11 to 17 and does not require them to have any prior filmmaking experience. For kids who are curious about making movies, they will learn everything they need to get started.
Campers learn the creative filmmaking process, editing techniques, and even acting tips. And it's not just a lecture since the middle and high school students pitch an idea and then form into mini film crews to produce it. They're guided by experienced instructions that are all film industry professionals.
The culminating activity is a Hollywood-style premiere where participants walk the...
FACETS
Chicago, IL
Facets is a non-profit organization that encourages people to see films not just as entertainment but as empowerment. Facets believe films can bridge cultural gaps, teach digital literacy, and spark meaningful conversations.
They hold filmmaking camps for children, including face-to-face camps, online camps, and hybrid camps.
Kids ages 8 to 13 can join the Film 101 camp, which teaches fundamental concepts and the history of film. There is also Zoom Filmmaking which covers story development all the way to editing. They also offer several other programs that cover digital animation and further help with improving editing skills.
Kids ages 14 to 17 can take advanced courses in photography, filmmaking, and advanced editing using Adobe Premiere.
New York Film Academy Summer Camps
Multiple locations
The New York Film Academy offers immersive film camps for teenagers passionate about filmmaking and those who want to join the film industry or become online content creators.
The most comprehensive course offered by the film school lasts for 12 weeks and gives participants a deep dive into the filmmaking experience. Aside from classroom lectures with industry professionals, they also spend time on set and in the editing room.
In the Director's Craft sessions, students learn the art and science of visual storytelling. They learn where to position the cameras, make decisions about movement, the look of the set, edit patterns, and acting instructions.
They're also taught how to write a script, manage the lighting,...
Ivy Camps USA
Online
Ivy Camps USA Arts, Media, and Communication camp teach kids photography and film school basics. True to its name, each class is led by a qualified teacher from elite Ivy League universities like Princeton, Yale, and others.
The photography and film program teaches kids the perfect techniques and setup to get an awesome photo during the first week. The second week helps students learn everything about TV and movie production. In the end, they create a film project that promotes their hometown.
The program lasts for two whole weeks, and students meet their instructor once a day for 90 minutes. Parents can choose from different class times to find the one most convenient for them....