Brooklyn College’s Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema was named to MovieMaker magazine’s “Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada” list for 2021. Specifically listed in the best film schools in the U.S, Northeast, MovieMaker praised Feirstein’s outstanding production training. “We are extremely proud that Feirstein was named one of the best film programs in North America by MovieMaker,” Feirstein’s Executive Director Richard Gladstein said. “It is a wonderful testament to our creative students, staff, and faculty. It’s an incredibly exciting time in the film industry, and we are proud to help nurture the next, great generation of diverse storytellers.” 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. This latest initiative further granted students access to 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 professionals, including agents, managers producers, and directors, who offered their guidance and professional perspectives. In March, Feirstein welcomed Academy Award–nominated director Gus Van Sant for a masterclass with more than 100 students and faculty; 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. 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).
