Choose your way into filmmaking.
Whether you are starting out, preparing for professional study, pursuing a university qualification or developing a specialist craft, KFS offers a pathway into filmmaking.
Programme pathways
Foundation / Preparation Course
For students preparing for full-time film study.
Certificate
Foundational training across the full spectrum of visual media.
Diploma
Technical proficiency, collaboration and creative problem-solving.
Bachelor of Filmmaking
Advanced directing, VFX, research-led filmmaking, visual anthropology and creative leadership.
Short Courses
Focused practical training in individual filmmaking disciplines.
Professional / Specialist Courses
Advanced short-format training for specific technical and creative skills.
Compare programmes
| Programme | Duration | Tuition | Entry | Accreditation | You leave with |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation / Preparation |
4 months February-June |
700,000 UGX | Age 18+ | — | Your first short film |
| Certificate | 2 years | 1,100,000 UGX per semester | Age 18+ | — | A final film, a reflective journal, an internship placement |
| Diploma |
2.5 years 4 semesters + graduation film |
2,100,000 UGX per semester | Age 18+. Two principal A-Level passes. Portfolio and assessment. | Kampala University | A graduation film, a professional portfolio, industrial training |
| Bachelor of Filmmaking |
3.5 years 6 semesters + graduation film |
2,500,000 UGX per semester | Age 18+. Two principal A-level passes. Portfolio and assessment. | Kampala University | A comprehensive portfolio, a graduation film, a research thesis, internship experience |
Fees for 2026, in Ugandan Shillings. See Fees for the full breakdown.
Foundation / Preparation Course
The Foundation / Preparation Course is an introduction to filmmaking before full-time study. It is designed for students who want to understand the basics of filmmaking and build the confidence to enter a longer programme.
What you study
Camera.
You do not simply learn what a camera is — you learn how to operate it. You learn how to frame a shot, how to focus, how to move the camera, how to work with a director.
Sound.
You learn the fundamentals of recording sound on location. How to place a microphone. How to avoid noise. How to capture clean dialogue.
Editing.
You do not simply discuss editing, you edit. You learn the software, the workflow, the discipline of the cut.
Story.
You learn the basic principles of narrative and structure. What makes a scene work. What makes an audience care.
Production.
You work as part of a crew. You learn what a shoot day looks like. You learn how preparation determines outcome.
What you make
The course ends with a short film. It will be your first. It will not be perfect. It will be yours.
Who it's for
- Students preparing to enter full-time filmmaking education
- Students who want to test whether filmmaking is for them before committing to a longer programme
- Students who want practical skills before applying to a degree programme
Certificate in Filmmaking
The Certificate provides grounding across the core filmmaking disciplines, with practical production experience throughout the programme. Students encounter the filmmaking process from story development through production and post-production.
What you learn
Camera work. Editing.
Sound. Directing. Producing.
Screenwriting. Photography.
Documentary fundamentals.
What you make
- Short films
- Documentary exercises
- A final film
- A reflective journal
What you leave with
- Foundational industry skills
- A final film
- A reflective journal
- An internship placement
Who it's for
Students who want a focused two-year grounding in filmmaking before entering the industry or continuing to a Diploma.
Diploma in Filmmaking
The Diploma moves students from foundations into deeper craft, production and professional practice. The programme combines academic study with practical filmmaking, and students progress from basic filmmaking principles into increasingly complex productions.
Structure: Four semesters of coursework, then one final semester dedicated to making your graduation film.
Year 1 — Foundations
Students develop the fundamentals of:
Camera
Editing
Sound
Screenwriting
Documentary
Film history
Studio practice
Story development
Production
The emphasis is on learning the language of filmmaking and developing good production habits.
Year 2 — Craft & Production
Students move into deeper work in:
Cinematography
Lighting
Directing
Producing
Editing
Sound
Production
Documentary
Professional practice
They undertake increasingly complex productions and develop the ability to work across departments.
Industrial Training
Students move into professional environments where possible. The objective is to understand the discipline of professional production: preparation, punctuality, communication, teamwork, responsibility and problem-solving.
Final Semester — Your Graduation Film
The final production period is dedicated to making the student’s film. Students move through development → pre-production → shooting → editing → sound → colour → finishing. The completed film becomes the centrepiece of the student’s portfolio.
What you make
- — Multiple short films across two years
- — Documentary work
- — A graduation film
What you leave with
- — A completed graduation film
- — A professional portfolio
- — Industrial training experience
- — Applied knowledge in distribution and marketing
Career roles
Assistant director. Cinematographer. Editor. Production coordinator.
Bachelor of Filmmaking
The Bachelor of Filmmaking is a practice-led degree covering filmmaking from foundational craft through advanced production and final film practice. The programme combines film practice, film history, research, critical analysis, professional development, industry engagement and advanced filmmaking.
Structure: Six semesters of coursework, then one final semester dedicated to making your graduation film.
Year 1 — Foundations
Semester 1
Semester 2
Year 1 Output. Students produce short films, documentary exercises and crew productions. The objective is to move from learning concepts to applying them.
Year 2 — Craft & Production
Semester 1
Semester 2
Year 2 Output. Students produce short fiction, documentary work and professional placement / internship experience.
Year 3 - Advanced Practice
Semester 1
Semester 2
Year 3 Output. Final film research, development, script, planning, crew and locations.
Final Semester — Your Graduation Film
Final Semester — Your Graduation Film
The final production period is dedicated to the graduation film. Students move through development → pre-production → shooting → editing → sound → colour → finishing. The final film becomes the centrepiece of the student’s professional portfolio.
It is not simply an assignment. It is a film.
What you make
- — Short films every semester
- — Documentary work
- — A research thesis
- — A graduation film
What you leave with
- — A comprehensive portfolio
- — A graduation film
- — A reflective journal
- — Internship experience
- — A research thesis
Career roles
Director. Cinematographer. Producer. Editor. Sound designer. Documentary filmmaker. Content creator.
Professional / Specialist Courses
KFS also provides focused training for filmmakers and practitioners who want to deepen a particular craft.
Specialist offerings may include:
Course availability may vary according to demand, industry need and specialist instructors.
