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Minnesota is home to a vibrant network of colleges and universities that nurture the next generation of filmmakers, storytellers, animators and media innovators. Explore programs across the state designed to build skills and prepare students for careers in filmmaking.

Augsburg University
Augsburg University is a private liberal arts institution with its main campus in Minneapolis. A film major is offered through their communication, film, and new media department. 

Carleton College
Carleton College, located 40 miles south of the Twin Cities in Northfield, offers a cinema & media studies (CAMS) major that combines critical study of moving image and sound media with digital video and audio production. 

Central Lakes College
Central Lakes College, with locations in Brainerd and Staples, is part of the Minnesota State Colleges system. It offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in graphic design media technology. 

Century College
Century College is a two-year community and technical college located in White Bear Lake. It offers associate of applied science (AAS) degrees in filmmaking & video production and 3D animation. 

Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College
The multimedia production program at Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College provides hands-on experience across video, audio, photography, animation and digital media. Offered as a certificate, diploma or Associate of Applied Science degree, the program prepares students for careers in media production and content creation. 

Hennepin Technical College
Hennepin Technical College is part of the Minnesota State system, offering programs in interactive design and video production. 

Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State is a fully accredited university within the Minnesota State system. Its screenwriting bachelor of arts (BA) program covers every step of the creative process. 

Minneapolis College of Art & Design
Minneapolis College of Art & Design is a nationally recognized hub for creative education, offering majors in filmmaking and animation. 

Minneapolis Community & Technical College (MCTC)
Minneapolis Community and Technical College offers a cinema program covering cinematography, directing, editing, screenwriting, sound, and post-production. 

Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSU Moorhead)
Moorhead State is part of the Minnesota State University system. Its School of Media Arts and Design offers degree programs in film production, film studies, and animation. 

St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud State’s film studies major and minor explore media history, theory, and genre analysis. 

St. Olaf College
St. Olaf College’s film and media studies program offers an interdisciplinary approach to storytelling, media analysis, and production. 

University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities offers a BA in studies in cinema and media culture. 

University of Minnesota – Duluth
The film studies minor provides an interdisciplinary foundation combining creative work, film history, and cultural analysis. 

University of St. Thomas
The University of St. Thomas offers a film studies major that blends liberal arts insight with media-focused coursework.

Minnesota offers a wide range of training and creative development opportunities for emerging creatives and seasoned professionals.

CineUp

CineUp is CineMechanics’ signature professional development series for filmmakers and cinematographers. These hands-on events cover advanced topics and provide gear demos. Whether you’re looking to level up your technical knowledge, try new tools, or network with other camera pros, CineUp helps you build skills and community.

FilmNorth

FilmNorth fuels Minnesota’s creative workforce with nearly 100 annual courses spanning the art, business and technology of media making. Their industry-connected Forum and Master Classes connect emerging and established filmmakers with leading innovators from around the country — building skills, networks, and momentum for your next project.

In Progress

In Progress provides workshops, training, and mentorship opportunities for emerging artists in video, photography, music, and writing. Through its independent artist series, In Progress supports artists in learning the business side of creative work — covering topics such as establishing a price sheet, invoicing for services, building a web presence, and other essential steps toward forging a sustainable career.

The Loft Literary Center

A national leader in writer development, The Loft nurtures storytellers through classes, community, and craft-focused programming. Screenwriters will find periodic courses tailored to film and television — alongside a vibrant environment that supports creativity in every genre.

Playwrights' Center

Nationally renowned for championing writers, the Playwrights’ Center offers world-class support for storytellers — and that includes screenwriters. While rooted in theater, PWC provides classes that translate directly to film and TV, helping creators strengthen structure, character and voice across mediums.

SPEAK MPLS

SPEAK MPLS is Minneapolis’ home for public access media — a hub where makers access production resources, broadcast airtime and a creative community ready to support your next idea. From studio time to media services, SPEAK MPLS opens the door for emerging and established talent to experiment, learn, and build visibility.

St. Paul Neighborhood Network

SPNN empowers storytellers through hands-on training, mentorship, and community-driven media education. Whether you’re sharpening technical skills or developing a compelling narrative voice, SPNN’s classes help creators of all ages bring authentic stories to the screen.

Upper Midwest Film Office

UMFO administers regional rebates that stack on top of Minnesota’s state incentive, creating even more value for productions filming in the North. As a result, UMFO is cultivating the next generation of Northern Minnesota’s film workforce through practical workshops, professional development and regional resources. Whether you’re a local crew or talent looking to level up, UMFO connects you to training that keeps productions strong throughout the region.

Best Buy Teen Tech Centers

The Best Buy Teen Tech Center is a safe and interactive space where teens can explore the latest technology and multimedia tools with support from peers and adult mentors.

Teens can challenge themselves in several different areas of technology including graphic design, sound and video production, digital photography, coding and more. Best Buy’s partnership with The Clubhouse Network connects members to a global community of more than 100 clubhouses in 20 countries.

Minneapolis–St. Paul locations

• Brian Coyle Center
• The Capri at Plymouth Christian Youth Center
• CLUES St. Paul
• Hennepin County Library
• Hope Community Center
• Keystone Community
• St. Paul Downtown YMCA
• Summit Academy OIC

FilmNorth

FilmNorth's Youth and Media Programs collaborate with youth from the Twin Cities area, both in and out of school settings. The mission is to teach filmmaking as a means of engaging kids in their education — developing artistic, critical thinking, and career skills while examining issues in their own environments.

MIGIZI

MIGIZI provides a strong circle of support that nurtures the educational, social, economic and cultural development of American Indian youth. The organization provides academic and cultural support to students in five Minnesota school districts.

First Person Productions (FPP), a training program located at MIGIZI's midtown center, equips young Native Americans with 21st-century media skills. FPP differentiates itself from other media programs due to its social enterprise aspect, which enables youth to develop not only expertise in videography and photography but also management, digital marketing, and interpersonal skills.

Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) Film Society

Nextwave is the MSP Film Society’s youth education initiative dedicated to the next generation of filmmakers, critics, and film aficionados. Championing youth-made media as well as international cinema made for young audiences, Nextwave is a platform for young people to develop their appreciation for the art and craft of filmmaking, practice critical literacy skills and add their voices to the global conversation.

St. Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN)

SPNN youth programs provide BIPOC and LGBTQIA young people with the opportunity to create community media with a lasting impact. It is a place for creative exploration, diverse voices, and for artistic vision. Youth come together to learn and grow their media skills, then apply those skills to their own podcast, shoots for other youth serving organizations, their own creative projects, and mentoring other youth in learning media skills.

Youth can grow their skills either as a part of the Speaking of Youth program or individually as a part of the Createch program.