Film Studies
Unique Experiences
WORK
with American and international film students at the preeminent Prague Film and Television School of the Academy of the Performing Arts (FAMU)
LEARN
to shoot, direct, or write with mentoring from European film professionals
GET INSPIRATION
from visits to Prague Barrandov film studios and guest lectures by European directors, producers, cinematographers, and screenwriters
30,000
INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS STUDYING IN PRAGUE
143
KILOMETERS OF TRAM LINES IN PRAGUE
1.3 M
RESIDENTS
Your Destination
Cobblestone streets, ancient bridges, and a hilltop castle help lend the “City of a Hundred Spires” its reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Prague is unique in Europe, having shed its Communist past and brimming with carefully preserved monuments from every period and style in its millennial history. There’s plenty of quirky charm, too, like the Zizkov Tower adorned with climbing babies and the distinctly nontraditional Dancing House. Easy to explore on foot, the city boasts a rich cultural life that includes concerts, festivals, operas, and more – many of which you can access on a student budget.
CIEE Prague is located in the central neighborhood of Vyšehrad in a beautiful park-like setting atop one of Prague’s highest hills about 15 minutes from the Old Town area.
The Culture
Featured Excursion
Day Trip to Pilsen - The day begins with a train ride to Pilsen, the fourth-largest city in the Czech Republic. In the morning, we explore the city with a professional guide and visit all the important sites, such as the Thank You America Memorial (which was erected in honor of the U.S. forces that liberated Pilsen in May 1945) or the Great Synagogue (the fifth-largest synagogue in the world). After lunch, we visit the famous Pilsner Urquell Brewery, which was established in 1842 and comprises three brew houses from three different centuries. The day finishes with a tasting of the unfiltered Pilsner Urquell beer in one of the cellars – a special type of beer you cannot get anywhere else.
Other Excursions & Activities
- Take part in CIEE-organized excursions to learn more about the Czech Republic and Central Europe.
- Cheer on a local sports team at a hockey game
- Sample local Moravian wines at a sommelier-led wine tasting
- Bike along the paths along the Vltava River and see another side of Prague
- Watch an opera in one of the amazing baroque opera houses
- Take part in a Czech cuisine cooking class and participate in many other Prague-based activities organized by local staff to spark your interest in local art, film, music, culture or sports.
Projects
- Learn from industry experts.
- Practice your language skills with weekly Prague-based activities organized by local staff, including bouldering sessions, glass making workshop and pedal boating on the Vltava River.
Program Blogs
Lights. Camera. Action! Film Studies in Prague
Are you a wanna-be Spielberg who likes to view life through the lens of a camera? Or a budding writer with ideas for a feature-length screenplay? Then bring your talents... keep reading
Fall 2017 Issue II
TRIP TO SOUTH BOHEMIA In order to get away from a daily rush in Prague, students of CIEE Film Studies have left Prague in October for one weekend. They spent... keep reading
Fall 2017 ISSUE II: Prague
A FRESH START IN PRAGUE! The last August Monday has started the exciting one-semester-ride for students of the Film Studies and Global Architecture and Design Programs. Coming from great distances... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Prague offers diverse housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. All housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.
Standard Housing: Includes double or triple accommodation in a dorm-style residence hall, or a single or double room in a homestay, located within 40 minutes from Prague’s historic city center and CIEE Prague.
- Homestays: Live with a Czech family, with or without another CIEE student, and immerse yourself in the city’s culture. Single and double bedrooms available.
- Residence Halls: Live in a dormitory-like building with communal kitchens and other common spaces.
Select Housing: Includes a double bedroom in a shared apartment located within 40 minutes from Prague’s historic center and CIEE Prague. Each apartment has shared common spaces, including a kitchen and bathroom. Apartments may be in student residence buildings or in residential buildings shared with local inhabitants. Select housing requires an additional fee.
Select Plus Housing: Includes a single bedroom in an apartment or dorm-style residence hall located within 40 minutes from Prague’s historic city center and CIEE Prague. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee and has limited availability.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Homestay: Breakfast and dinner, on the family’s schedule, are included.
Residence Halls and Apartments: Meals are not included.
Academics
The Film Studies program is designed for students with some experience in film production, screenwriting, or film studies to hone their production and writing skills. Students choose either the production track or the screenwriting track. In the production track, students create a 16-mm film, including pre-production, production, and post-production. In the screenwriting track, students begin a feature-length screenplay, completing its full treatment and writing about half of a first draft. (Note: CIEE reserves the right to combine tracks in the case of low enrollment.)
The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) is the preeminent film school in Central Europe and the 5th oldest film school in the world. Many influential filmmakers and screenwriters are FAMU alumni, including Stanislav Barabas and Oscar-winners Miloš Forman and Agnieszka Holland. FAMU is located in the city center on the banks of the Vltava River.
Course Information
Production Track
All students enroll in Topics in Production and Filmmaking Practicum and Mentorship courses.
Screenwriting Track
All students enroll in Feature Screenwriting and Script Analysis courses.
Languages and Cultural Studies
Visual and Performing Arts
Languages and Cultural Studies
Visual and Performing Arts
FAMU ELECTIVE COURSES
Not all courses listed are offered every semester. The following is a representative sample of course offerings though FAMU and is subject to change.
- Acting Theories
- Central European Cinemas within the Context of the World Cinema
- Cinema Dance
- Circulating within the Modern Cinematic Image
- Essential Elements of Film Sound 1Film Style and Form 1
- Filming the Unfilmable
- History, Development and Characteristics of Genres
- Script Analysis 1
- Short Film Practical Analysis: Directing 1
- The Realm of Montage
- Visual Theory
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fall 2025 16 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $19,950 |
| Program Spring 2026 17 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $15,706 ** |
| Housing | $3,750 *** |
| Insurance | $194 |
| Total Fees | $19,950 |
Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.
| Select Housing Fee | $800 |
| Select Plus Housing Fee | $2,400 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $476 † |
| International Airfare | $1,000 †† |
| Local Transportation | $45 ††† |
| Books & Supplies | $45 |
| Visa Fees | $114 |
| Personal expenses | $250 †††† |
| Total Costs | $1,930 |
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day. For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $307 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††cost of taxi to airport on departure; local transportation pass included in program
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Will Barnard
Center Director
Will Barnard heads CIEE Prague. Originally from the U.S., Will has lived and worked in the Czech Republic for more than 20 years. He has a bachelor's degree from Princeton...
Michaela Neužilová
Senior Program Manager
Michaela has been with CIEE Prague since 2016. She oversees the Prague Program Management Team which provides a wide range of high-quality orientation and onsite support services for all program...
Petra Key
Academic Director
Petra Key oversees the academic programs at CIEE Prague. Her responsibilities include managing the faculty and courses, collaborating with academic partner institutions, and ensuring high-quality academic instruction. She achieves this...
Get Started
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Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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