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Study in China
beijing - chinese language + culture

Study in France
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managua - liberal arts

Study in the Czech Republic
prague - film studies

Study in Italy
naples - liberal arts

Study in Italy
naples - classical studies

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berlin - language + culture

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perth - sustainability + the environment

Is this program right for you?

This program is appropriate for students with a strong background in film studies and a desire to develop the skills necessary to work professionally in the film industry. It is designed for students with specific training and interest in film production or screenwriting and combines both theoretical and practical instruction and activities led by film professionals at one of Europe’s most renowned film schools.

Program Snapshot

  • Work directly with film professionals at one of Europe’s renowned film schools; produce a short 16mm film or develop a feature-length screenplay
  • Excursions to local film studios and guest lectures by European directors, producers, cinematographers, and screenwriters
  • Small, hands-on practical and theoretical courses with other FAMU and international film students
  • Housing with Czech FAMU students in downtown apartments

Subject Areas

  • Acting Studio
  • Animation Production
  • Camera and Film Language
  • Cinematography
  • Cultural Studies
  • Culture (host country)
  • Czech Language
  • Czech Surrealist Film
  • Directing
  • Editing
  • Film Mentorship
  • Film Studies
  • Filmmaking Practicum
  • Language (host country)
  • Language, Literature, Culture (host country)
  • Modern Visual Culture
  • Motion Picture and Digital Video
  • Production
  • Screenwriting
  • Sound Recording

About Prague

Because of its innumerable characteristic steeples, Prague is called the hundred towered city. The Czech Republic, a new EU member, is a perfect example of the steady development of a society—most recently transitioning from its communist past. With a population of only 1.2 million, Prague has an unusually rich cultural life: festivals, operas, concerts, and cultural programs, many accessible on a student budget. CIEE students experience life similar to that of Czech students, exploring numerous city neighborhoods like native Praguers.

Where You'll Study

Prague Film and Television School of the Academy of the Performing Arts

The Prague Film and Television School of the Academy of the Performing Arts (FAMU) is one of the preeminent film schools in Central Europe. It is one of the three schools that comprise the Academy of Performing Arts and one of the oldest film schools in Europe. Many influential filmmakers and screenwriters are FAMU alumni, including Stanislav Barabas and Oscar-winners Milos Forman and Agnieszka Holland. FAMU offers professional film production facilities including digital Betacam, HDV, and 16mm and 35mm film for student work.

Thoughts From Abroad

Milos Forman (Amadeus, Goya’s Ghosts), Agnieszka Holland (Copying Beethoven, Europe Europe), and Emir Kusturica (Underground, When Father Was Away on Business) are just a few of the FAMU graduates who became world renowned directors. Join the select group of highly talented FAMU students and develop your skills in directing, screenwriting, or 16mm camera work through mentor-style instruction from renowned and professionally active FAMU faculty. Build your knowledge of Central European film tradition and hone your filmmaking and screenwriting talents, using Prague’s beauty as inspirational genius for your creative projects. If you are ready to expand your cinema and film perspectives, this may prove to be the most challenging and rewarding Bohemian experience you could possibly envision.

—Lucie Zacharova, Resident Director

Staff Bios

Lucie Zacharova, Resident Director, was born in Southern Moravia—where most of her family worked in Zlin film studios—and has lived and studied in Northern Moravia, Prague, and Central Bohemia. She received a Master’s Degree in Czech and English Languages and Literature from Ostrava University, an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Arts in English from Northwest Missouri State University. For 10 years, Lucie worked as a teacher, translator, and interpreter. She also served as the Associate Director of Study Abroad at Kettering University in Michigan.

Jana Cemusová, Student Services Director, gained extensive experience with students through many years of teaching and leading CIEE Czech language instruction at Charles University. Jana is a Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology at the University of Western Bohemia and has teaching experience as a Fulbright scholar at the University of Kansas.

Ivana Skenderija, Student Services Assistant, has a bachelor’s degree from Charles University and a background in drama, education, and film. Ivana provides daily assistance to students through consultation hours at FAMU.

Recommended Credit

16-17 semester/24-25.5 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • Overall GPA 3.0

Production Track

  • Overall GPA of 3.0 in art-related major (preferably film)
  • Demonstrated experience with directing and use of digital/video camera, preferably 16mm camera production
  • Students must submit sample in DVD/VHS converted format in a portfolio of recent work (maximum length 15’ per sample), and 1–2 story boards/treatments for a short film to be shot in Prague
  • Recommendation letters must be from major department professors

Screenwriting Track

  • Overall GPA of 3.0 in art-related major and minimum of 2 courses in screenwriting or creative writing; film or screenwriting major recommended
  • Students must submit an original screenplay and proposals for two additional screenplays
  • Recommendation letters must be from major department professors

Program Dates

Fall 20098/28/2009 - 12/18/2009
Spring 20101/29/2010 - 5/21/2010

Application Deadlines

Fall 20093/15/2009
Spring 201010/1/2009

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Fall 200917 weeks
late August - mid-December
Spring 201017 weeks
late January - late May

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Fall 2009 $18,750
    The CIEE fees for 2008-09 include an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, host university fees, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, local transportation pass, extracurricular programming, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$16,126
    Housing$2,550
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$18,750

    The CIEE fees for 2008-09 include an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, host university fees, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, local transportation pass, extracurricular programming, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Visa Fees$150
    Personal Expenses$2,100
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,600
    Meals$1,200
    Books and Supplies$100
    Local Transportation$75
    Total$5,225


  • Spring 2010 $17,750
    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, host university fees, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, local transportation pass, extracurricular programming, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$15,176
    Housing$2,500
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$17,750

    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, host university fees, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, local transportation pass, extracurricular programming, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,600
    Personal Expenses$2,100
    Meals$1,600
    Books and Supplies$100
    Local Transportation$50
    Visa Fees (average)$150
    Total$5,600


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.