The Beijing Film Academy was established in May 1950, initially named the Performance Art Institution of the Film Bureau of the Ministry of Culture. During its first year, 38 students enrolled. Over the next five years, the school underwent several name changes – Film School of the Film Bureau of the Ministry of Culture in July 1951, Beijing Film School in March 1953, and finally, Beijing Film Academy on June 1, 1956.
The academy is a municipal public college in Beijing, affiliated with the City of Beijing and co-funded by the Beijing Municipal People’s Government, the National Radio and Television Administration, and the Ministry of Education. It is located across two campuses in the Haidian District and Huairou District of Beijing.
Through its 70+ years of development, BFA has built a multidisciplinary and multilevel cultivation system that embraces the entire spectrum of filmmaking, including production, teaching, creation, and research for training advanced film talents.
The Beijing Film Academy offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in many areas of film. Its curriculum is divided into eight departments: Film and TV Technology/Digital Media Institute, Film and Television Technology, Film Directing, Film Theory, Management, Photography, Screenwriting and Cinema Studies, and Sound Recording.
Additionally, the academy is organized into nine schools: Management School, International Studies School, Continuing Education School, Audio-Visual Arts and Communication School, Animation School, Photography School, Fine Arts School, Sound School, and Performing Arts School.
The academy’s educational approach is comprehensive, covering all aspects of filmmaking from script writing and directing to production design and entertainment management. This holistic approach ensures that graduates are well-prepared for the diverse challenges of the film industry.
The Beijing Film Academy is known as “the cradle of Chinese film producers,” having educated many of China’s most influential filmmakers. Famous Chinese directors such as Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Jia Zhangke, and Gu Changwei all graduated from BFA.
The academy has played a crucial role in the development of Chinese cinema, particularly through its association with the “Fifth Generation” of Chinese filmmakers who graduated in the 1980s and went on to gain international recognition for their work. These directors, including Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, helped bring Chinese cinema to the global stage and revolutionized the country’s film industry.
The admission rate at Beijing Film Academy is one of the lowest in China and globally. Over 40,000 students apply annually to participate in entrance exams, but only 400-500 students are accepted, making it extremely competitive. The majority of the admissions process takes place in February and March, with prospective acting majors facing the most intense competition.
International students can apply through the International Training Center, and in recent years, the academy has expanded its global reach by offering programs in English, focusing on cinematography, directing, and post-production.
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