A film school is a common word for any school designed for teaching moviemaking, including, but not just, producing films, screen writing, and film theory.

Generally, hands on technical experience is included as one part of the curriculum, such as learning how to use cameras, light meters and other types of movie gear. Most schools are connected to pre-existing universities and colleges, generally in art or communication departments. Some are privately owned and not connected to universities, such as technical schools offering associate diplomas.

A good number of debates have raged over the years on the relative necessity of film school in allowing one to enter the film industry. clearly, there are examples on both sides, as directors George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola graduated from prestigious film schools, on the other hand Quentin Tarantino had no formal training.

The rapid rise of independent films and digital video have changed this discussion a bit, as any person with a few thousand dollars can shoot a film (and many have done so) with minimal formal knowledge of the film industry. Therefore, it may be debated that the cost of going to a film school could now be best spent on making a film.

Others argue that film school is important because it permits students to network and make contact with others interested in filmmaking, as well as with individuals who are able to eventually offer them careers in the film sector.