Master of Fine Arts Programme in Film
Summary
The two-year master’s programme in Film is an education offered in English that focuses on developing research methods and skills with moving images. The programme facilitates creative practices in film by exploring its connections to theory. In an environment facilitated through critical pedagogy students are invited to express their film practice in relation to the world: from historical connections to contemporary socio-political issues.
About
The Masters education initiates its research enquiry from the image. The subject of film in this programme is characterized by the image: the moving image’s historical reliance on technological innovations and the mastery of the medium. The programme encourages critical engagement; exploration of archives, experimentation with film grammar, innovation, and the power of images to activate people’s self-perception and perception of their world – these are the core areas that form the structure of the courses.
The courses are designed through a series of ‘intensives’; intensives are times allocated for seminars, workshop, exercises and peer-feedback sessions. Students will be expected to work towards visual assignments between each course intensive. The intensives explore different research methods which are framed by a conceptual proposition. Film practice and experimentation with film language form the core of each intensive. Students are required to present their own film work across the duration of the programme and to participate actively in peer-feedback sessions, using feedback models introduced in the programme. Students work towards a final film project in the second year of the programme. This project will be presented in a public context. A written component is also required for final completion of the programme. Students are asked to critically reflect on their artistic process in relation to their research enquiry and final project.
The core
The research intensives create an active teaching-learning environment where practice is in direct relation to the research enquiry and conceptual propositions that frame the practice-based enquiry. Throughout the programme, students will be made to engage with the ethical-aesthetic implications of their image-making choices. Through lectures, seminars, practical and written exercises, students will develop and clarify their own research interests and expand their own artistic practice and preferred methods. A peer learning environment cultivates students’ ability to critically engage in feedback and dialogue to advance their understanding of images as a mode of enquiry. By participating in seminars and activities in our research environment, students have the opportunity to place their work in the context of artistic research and to develop practical knowledge.
The environment
Film is one of the subjects in the Unit of Film, Photography and Literary Composition. It is part of a larger department inclusive of Craft, Design and Fine Arts and offers the possibility for a dynamic interdisciplinary and artistic environment. Several of the programmes include the requirement to take elective programme courses. These courses aim to expand your knowledge in other artistic areas and provide opportunities to develop your skills and abilities. In the elective courses, you will meet students from other disciplines. You apply for the elective courses based on an annually decided course offering.
The surroundings
The MFA in Film is situated in the unit of Film, Photography and Literary Composition. We encourage and expect students to take advantage of the many opportunities provided and to actively participate in events organized in the Unit, including film festivals, public talks, exhibitions, and conferences.
Get to know teachers and other staff at the Film, Photography and Literary Composition Unit.
Programme structure and content
The programme is designed to encourage expressive possibilities in image-making and has a two-fold approach:
1) prioritizing the education experience by advancing research questions, methods, and theoretical propositions through a series of intensives conducted on focused topics or themes; and
2) supporting individually formulated enquiries. The first provides a foundation for the second, where you will develop an individually formulated research enquiry that progresses over the course of successive semesters and is transformed into performative filmic works. You will be required to engage with written texts, presentations, discussions of films screened, and to contribute actively to the educational environment of the programme.
We also encourage peer-learning through structured feedback and discussion sessions fostering a climate for critical thinking while constructively advancing your artistic development—an environment conducive for creativity and constructive engagement.
Who should apply?
We encourage applicants with a strong interest in the socio-political and cultural milieu of our times. A keen interest in artistic research and enquiry methods with film is welcomed, with a willingness to contribute and participate in a peer-learning environment. Applicants need not necessarily have a background in film but must be able to exhibit technical competency to support image-making and have an understanding of film language. Our aim is to support new opportunities that emerge with technological and societal developments in professional film practice.
Prerequisites and selection
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in film of at least 180 credits or equivalent. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School.
Portfolio
Find the portfolio instructions for the MFA programme in Film here:
More information about Portfolio
Selection
The selection is based on an assessment of submitted work samples and a personal interview.
After graduation
The master’s programme in Film can offer guidance within the field of professional film practice, where there are increasing opportunities for you to develop a deeper understanding of your professional role as a filmmaker. Professional contacts created through the school have often proven to be long-lasting and fruitful and will assist you in developing your profile according to your interests and goals.
Graduates of the programme receive the degree Master of Fine Arts with a major in Film.
Facilities
Based in the centre of Gothenburg, HDK-Valand’s facilities consist of lecture rooms, a cinema, large-scale studios that are shared but partitionable, project spaces, well-equipped workshops, and student-run galleries.
