Documentary Cinema MFA | Film & Television Directing and Production in Israel
Documentary Cinema MFA | Film & Television Directing and Production in Israel
Program Length: 4 terms
Tuition Fee: $12,970
Language of instruction: English
Admissions requirements:
- Students must have a GPA above 3 or 80%.
- Students who are not native English speakers and who have not completed their undergraduate studies in English at an English speaking country will be required to submit proof of English proficiency.
Application Deadline:
Ongoing rolling admissions
The Awarded Degree:
MFA in Film and Television: Directing and Production
This unique MFA program will give you all the skills you’ll need for a complete grounding in documentary filmmaking. And where better to get your cinematic juices flowing than in the inspirational Non-Stop City of Tel Aviv. Don’t forget to get that tuxedo ready!
What Is an MFA in Documentary Cinema at Tel Aviv University?
The MFA in Documentary Cinema at Tel Aviv University, a leading film production university in Israel, offers intensive, hands-on training in film and television directing and production. Rooted in rigorous film and cinema studies and creative practice, the program allows you to develop your voice as a filmmaker in Tel Aviv, one of the region’s most dynamic cultural hubs, while engaging with diverse stories and perspectives that define contemporary documentary cinema
Throughout the program, you'll move through the full documentary filmmaking process, from research and script development to production, editing, and post-production. You’ll work closely with experienced faculty of the Tisch Film & Television School and industry professionals, gaining practical film production experience while working on your own documentary film or series as your final project.
The program curriculum has a comprehensive visual storytelling focus and is regularly updated, ensuring you graduate with both creative depth and professional readiness.
Two topical courses were introduced recently, Ethnographic Film in Past and Present Conflicts and Docu-trauma: War and Memory in Israeli Documentary Cinema
Read the interview with Tami Liberman and Dan Arav who are teaching the courses.
Why Study Documentary Cinema & Film Production in Israel?
-
Master both theory and practice through immersive, hands-on training across the full documentary filmmaking process.
-
Learn from award-winning filmmakers and producers whose work is recognized in Israel and internationally.
-
Build technical expertise through intensive workshops in directing, cinematography, editing, and production.
-
Develop and produce your own documentary film or series, culminating in a final project set in a location and subject of your choice.
-
Create in one of the world’s most dynamic documentary landscapes, where diverse cultures, languages, and perspectives provide powerful real-world storytelling opportunities.
Career Paths in Documentary Cinema and Film Production
Our Documentary Cinema alumni have won awards and recognition from, among others, the Sundance Film Festival and the Academy of Motion Pictures.
After completing the program, you’ll be ideally positioned to join them in the television industry, cinema production, or as directors.
Red carpet fame awaits some of our best graduates.
Tama Castel, MFA student, at Docaviv festival in Tel Aviv
Nominations and Festivals: TAU Tisch School Students and Alumni
Capture your creativity on film
Frequently Asked Questions about the MFA in Documentary Cinema
How much does the MFA in Documentary Cinema cost?
Tuition for the MFA in Documentary Cinema at Tel Aviv University is $12,970 for the full program. This is the total tuition figure covering all four terms of study at the Steve Tisch School of Film and Television. Housing, living expenses and equipment fees are separate and depend on your accommodation choice in Tel Aviv.
Is the MFA taught in English?
Yes. The entire MFA in Documentary Cinema is taught in English, including coursework, workshops, faculty supervision, and thesis production. Applicants whose undergraduate degree was not completed in English at an English-speaking institution submit proof of English proficiency as part of the application; there is no separate Hebrew-language requirement.
What are the admission requirements?
You'll need an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.0 or above (or the equivalent 80%), proof of English proficiency where applicable, and the standard graduate application materials (transcripts, a statement of purpose, and references). The program admits on a rolling basis, so completed applications are reviewed as they arrive rather than in a single annual cycle. Review the full admission requirements in the Requirements tab.
How long is the program?
The MFA runs across four academic terms, typically completed over two years of full-time study. Terms follow the Tel Aviv University academic calendar; the program culminates in an original documentary film or series as the final thesis project.
Interview with Ran Tal, the head of the Documentary Cinema MFA program:
