ADVANCED Teen Fiction Filmmaking Summer 2026 | 4 x 5 x 5 Week/ Day/Hour

Summer Teen Fiction Filmmaking Program with Real Results:Join an Intensive Team-Diriven Fiction Filmmaking Experience

This new, advanced four-week summer program is designed for students ready to push their craft further. The Advanced Filmmaking Program includes a four day/three night on-location trip “out of town” within a 1/2 day’s trip from Washington DC where you will practice filmmaking in real-world settings. Back on campus, you’ll deepen your production and editing skills, work with seasoned mentors and tackle themes of place, story and impact. The result: a film produced by your team, equipped not only with technical know-how but a full production experience as well. The program will require indoor/outdoor, and day/night filming. Participants are expected to attend the full program including all the production days which can be up to 10 hours of commitment. Limited to 10 participants, 14–18 years old (age exceptions will be considered).

Application and Acceptance: If you have attended a DCIFF summer program before, then we will know your work. Just send us the name of the film you worked on and the year.

If you have not attended a DCIFF Summer Intensive Program before, then please send a link to a completed film project which has your name on it for our team to review.

Cost:

Required Non-Refundable Registration Fee to cover Incidentals: DC Resident $75 and Non-Resident $95

The teaching program is free but the "on location" cost will be $400 per participant to cover transportation, housing, cooking and meals for 3 nights and 4 days in our temporary production house. We understand there may be financial challenges for some who would like to attend this and ask you to sign uo anyway and we can all work togethe ron some fundraising ideas!

Supervision: The program is taught by two background checked professional teachers instructors and the production trip is fully chaperoned by two staff and one supervisor.

SCHEDULE:

Pre-Program Week: You are welcome to join the first week of our Filmmaking Course for a refresher if you want… but this is not part of the Advanced Program

Week One: July 6th: Pre-Production - script, roles, production design

Week Two: July 13th: Pre-Production - Sets, shot lists, rehearsals, equipment preparation, scheduling

Weekend Production: Friday July 17-Monday July 20th: PRODUCTION TRIP (out of town!)

Week Three: 1/2 Week: Thurs July 23 and Fri July 24: Dailies, review, post-production prep

Week Four: July 27-31st, Post-Production

Showcase: Friday July 31, 2026

Venue is expected to be two blocks from either Dupont Circle Metro Station or Takoma Metro Station in a safe and secure facility.
If you have any further questions, please contact DCIFF Director Deirdre Evans at [email protected] with Summer Program in the subject line.

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