The Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema was recently named a top-25 film school by The Hollywood Reporter as well as one of the best film schools in North America by MovieMaker magazine. “This recognition by these film industry leaders is a testament to the incredible work being done by our students,” says Feirstein’s executive director, Richard Gladstein. “Feirstein has assembled a faculty and staff with incredible talents and experience who are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of diverse storytellers right here in Brooklyn. With tuition being one-third of the cost of other leading film schools, the access Feirstein offers—along with the ability to create at Steiner Studios—is an educational filmmaking experience that is second to none.” Marking the completion of his first year at Feirstein this summer, Gladstein—a two-time Academy Award–nominated film producer—has helped usher in a renewed energy and sense of purpose by bringing his industry expertise and connections to the school and its students. Most recently, students engaged in an artist-in-residence series of workshops and seminars with the filmmakers from HBOs Random Acts of Flyness. The initiative further granted students access to the mentorship and expertise of professional filmmakers. Graduating screenwriting students were also given the opportunity to pitch their projects to industry members during a “PitchFest,” where they were connected with agents, managers producers, and directors, who offered their guidance and professional perspectives. This past academic year, Feirstein welcomed Academy Award–nominated director Gus Van Sant for a masterclass with more than 100 students and faculty; had a seminar with acclaimed writer, producer, director, and entertainment executive Reginald Hudlin; and a screening and conversation with the writer, director, producer, editor, and composer of the Netflix smash hit The Queen’s Gambit. Feirstein has also welcomed many new members to its advisory council and professional mentors, who have met with small groups of students on their thesis film projects, including such notable creative forces as Stephen Daldry, Randall Poster, Victoria Thomas, Maryse Alberti, and Kip Williams, among others. Feirstein was also recently featured on NY-1 News. More about Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema The only film school in the country, situated on a working film lot at Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema educates a diverse student body in the art and craft of filmmaking and storytelling in a hands-on, collaborative environment that mirrors the professional world. Feirstein encourages its students toward the discovery of their authentic voices and facilitates their access to a wide variety of careers. Feirstein School opened in 2015, the result of a $30 million public-private partnership. With tuition costing one-third of other major film schools, it offers M.F.A. degrees in Cinema Arts – with specializations in Cinematography, Digital Animation & Visual Effects (DAVE), Directing, Post-production, Producing, and Screenwriting – as well as in Sonic Arts, Media Scoring, and an M.A. in Screen Studies. Feirstein is part of Brooklyn College and The City University of New York (CUNY).
