A film school is a generic name for any teaching institution for training students in movie making, including, but not merely, theory, screen writing, and production.

For the most part, hands on technical experience is offered as a part of the course, such as finding out how to use light meters, cameras and other types of filmmaking resources. Most film schools are connected to existing colleges and universities, often in art or communication departments. Some are privately owned and not related to universities, for instance technical schools offering associate degrees.

Many disagreements have been held over the years on the relative importance of film school in allowing one to become a part of the film industry. without a doubt, there are example of both, as famous directors Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas graduated from famous film schools, however Quentin Tarantino had no formal film schooling.

The rapid rise of independent digital video and film making have altered this debate a bit, as any individual with a couple thousand dollars can produce a film (and there are certain success stories) with little formal training in the film industry. Thus, it might be argued that the cost of going to a film school might now be best invested in making a film.

Others argue that film school is essential because it permits students to network and connect with others interested in filmmaking, as well as with people who might ultimately offer them jobs in the business.