film school is a generic term for any school dedicated to teaching movie making, including, but not just, production techniques, screen writing, and theory.

Normally, hands on technical experience is offered as one portion of the course, such as learning how to use light meters, cameras and other types of movie gear. a good number of film schools are a part of existing colleges and universities, often in communication or art faculties. Some of them are privately owned and not connected to universities, for example technical schools offering associate diplomas.

Several arguments have raged over the years on the necessity of film school in allowing one to get into the film industry. Of course, examples can be found from both sides, as famous directors Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas graduated from famous film schools, whereas Quentin Tarantino had no formal film training.

The rapid rise of independent digital video and filmmakers have modified this debate somewhat, because anyone with a couple thousand dollars can produce a movie (and some people have done it relatively successfully) with very little formal knowledge of the industry. Thus, it might be debated that the cost of going to a film school could now be better spent on making a film.

Others contend that film school is essential because it permits students to network and connect with other people interested in the film business, as well as with people who may in the end offer them careers in the film industry.