About us

In 1997, The Norwegian Film School welcomed its first students, and since then the school has graduated more than 350 film students who have made their marks on the Norwegian film- and TV industry.

Several of our students have also garnered international attention. With The Norwegian Film School, Norway gained a much-needed national film education, which was essential for the further development of the Norwegian film industry.

Today, The Norwegian Film School offers a three-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and a two-year Master of Fine Arts degree, as well as a ph.d. in Artistic Research in Film and related audiovisual art forms.

Filmmaking is about telling stories with moving images. Through one of our disciplines at the Bachelor's or Master's degree, you will develop into an independent storyteller.

Our purpose with this education, is to educate highly qualified professionals in film, TV, and similar media. We're a future-oriented education, that simultaneously maintains the traditional craftsmanship in each study discipline. The Norwegian Film School aims to develop each student's capacity for artistic expression, and personal reflection on their fields of profession.

Education and "pen trials"

The education at the school is evenly distributed between joint education and education which is tailor-made for the needs of each discipline. A large part of the joint education includes a substantial number of practical team exercises, also called "pen trials".

Pen trials are production exercises where the students work in film teams that are put together by the school. These are exercises that focus on single elements of filmmaking, and which revolve around a number of limitations like film length, theme; and use of dialogue, music, and studio/location. The pen trials aren't viewed as self-contained film productions, but exercises in the craft of filmmaking, which also are well suited for learning about methods of teamwork. The philosophical/pedagogical foundation is that limitations challenge and develop the students' creativity and imagination, while teaching the craft at the same time.

Experience tells us that's there's no contradiction between developing the individual's artistic identity – the personal voice – and learning the craft. On the contrary. Mastering the craft is a catalyst for the artistic expression.

Throughout the study, the school utilizes experiential pedagogy, where the students develop their artistic expression by experiencing, through practical application, different elements of filmmaking; reflect on the process and results; and utilize what they have learned in the next phase of the upcoming exercises.

Thus, the students' knowledge and skills are developed through practical exercises, conversations, evaluations, and the exchange of experience. All teaching and evaluation at our school is mandatory, as this exchange of experience between students is a key element in the education process.

We emphasize student participation during exercises, and encourage everyone to participate in discussions, and to give each other constructive criticism. We know that this strengthens the individual's understanding of the profession, and of the complexities of film production.

Admissions

We admit new students every two years, and new admissions open for the Bachelor's degree in January 2023, while the Master's degree opens in spring 2024. All applicants must deliver a test related to the specific discipline they apply to, and qualified applicants will then advance to an extensive round of further tests and interviews.

Our study programmes are open to international students, but to be accepted into the Bachelor or Master programme, mastery of Norwegian or a Scandiavian language is a requirement.