International Filmschool Cologne

The ifs internationale filmschule köln is a full study and further education institution with an artistic-scientific focus serving aspiring media professionals.

On the initiative of the NRW state government and the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW the school was founded in 2000 as a non-profit company, the Film- und Medienstiftung being the sole principal partner of the ifs. The ifs is consistantly ranked as one of the best film schools in Germany, based on its outstanding student support, excellent teaching and project work, and active festival participation, including a Student Academy Award in 2012 as a crowning so far.

The ifs’ portfolio covers Bachelor’s programs in Screenwriting, Directing, Creative Producing, Director of Photography, Editing Picture & Sound, VFX & Animation, and Production Design, as well as international Master’s programs in Serial Storytelling, Digital Narratives, and 3D Animation for Film & Games. The study programs are carried out in cooperation with the TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences. The ifs is currently developing new master’s programs. In addition, there are several further education programs for media professionals ranging from Costume Design to Masterclass Non-Fiction.

Individual and intensive supervision is the core focus of the study and further education programs at the ifs. For this reason, the organizational framework is structured on small numbers of students and a 2-year admissions cycle to the programs. The education and training is focused on combining a foundation of scientific-theoretical and technical skills with artistic hands-on project work. The film studies program is thereby aligned with the principles of narrative film and storytelling. The combination of professional specialization and interdisciplinary cooperation is characteristic for the education at the ifs. Early on, students work together with all the crafts involved in the filmmaking process, thereby generating important contacts in the industry already during their studies. Close collaboration with national and international teachers from both the industry and academia guarantees the students a first-class education, comparable to international standards.

The courage and will to promote ongoing development and change is what distinguishes the ifs. The school enjoys a constant flow of impulses and inspiration through its close collaborations in all the fields of the audiovisual landscape as well as through an ongoing critical evaluation of its study and further education programs. The primary focus lies on the media developments and innovations of the future. The ifs offers its students an innovative media education that imparts the artistic and technical skills and foundation for professional filmmaking and thereby integrating new technological developments as well as promoting and conveying aesthetic and dramaturgical potential.

The school is a member of CILECT, the International Association of Film and Television Schools, and cultivates partnerships with a global network of film schools and universities.

20th Anniversary of the ifs

In 2020, the ifs turned 20 years old! We would have loved to celebrate the anniversary with you, but due to the pandemic that was unfortunately not possible. In the course of this year, instead, we have presented films and milestones from 20 years of ifs online. We have summarized them here for you to look back and browse – as well as numerous statements on the anniversary, for which we would like to express our sincere thanks.

Gender and diversity are central aspects of the mission statement of the ifs internationale filmschule köln. We promote equal cooperation in teaching, research and administration in order to ensure equal opportunities and participation for all students, teachers and staff regardless of their socio-cultural, educational, physical or cognitive background.

The ifs is aware of its special responsibility as an educational institution for the artists and cultural workers of tomorrow. The future filmmakers have the task of depicting the diversity of our civil society both in front of and behind the camera and thus setting impulses for social renewal.

Through a series of internal and cross-university initiatives, ifs aims to anchor the topics of gender and diversity more firmly in curricular and institutional terms. The gender-specific measures to attract female applicants to the traditionally male film trades and to promote female university members are laid down in the Equality Plan and are regularly reviewed for their effectiveness.

Diversity at ifs – Overview

• We welcome cultural diversity and support all students and university members in their individual situations.
• We provide all university members with equal opportunities – regardless of gender, origin, position, age, sexual orientation, family commitments, religion, disability or illness.
• We see ourselves as a family-friendly university and therefore strive for an optimal compatibility of studies / career and family.