A film school is a general term for any educational institution for training budding artists in moviemaking, including, but not limited to, writing for the screen, producing films, and film theory.

Normally, hands on training is included as part of the courseload, like learning how to use light meters, cameras and other types of film making equipment. various film schools are related to existing colleges and universities, generally in art or communication departments. Some are privately owned and not tied to colleges, for instance technical schools offering associate degrees.

Various arguments have taken place over the years on the relative necessity of film school in allowing someone to get into the film business. Of course, examples can be found from both sides, as famous directors George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola graduated from well-known film schools, on the other hand Quentin Tarantino had no formal film training.

The recent boost of independent digital video and filmmakers have modified this debate somewhat, because anyone with some seed capital can produce their own film (and there are certain success stories) with little formal knowledge of the industry. Therefore, it can be argued that the cost of attending a film school can now be better off spent on making a movie.

Others contend that film school is valuable because it allows students to network and contact others interested in the film business, as well as with individuals who will eventually offer them careers in the film industry.