STAFF & SCHOOL

Philosophy

"Anyone can learn the skills of filmmaking. But you will never be employed because of your skills. A thriving career is based on who you are: your unique vision, your distinctive storytelling voice, your defining sensibilities. Your unique story insights.

We believe that making films is an act of artistry and pragmatism, inventiveness and inspiration, and that none of these qualities are remote and out of reach, mystical or alchemic. They can and must be taught, they can and must be nurtured in practicing filmmakers, they can and must be ignited through structured provocation.

We believe our learning program to be one of the most effective in the world for instilling in our filmmakers a tangible knowledge of how to deliver persistent excellence."

"This school has been specifically designed to teach filmmakers to make any kind of film. Not just “art house” films”. In particular, IFSS students are taught the intricacies of mainstream filmmaking and how to push its boundaries as commercial entertainment, which is crucial because that’s where most of their ambitions – and careers – lie, be it in Australia or overseas."

Duncan Thompson, CEO

Thompson’s experience directing the Aurora Script Development workshop for seven years was instrumental in the design of the teaching philosophy of IFSS, using a multiplicity of voices in the training of filmmakers to a level of excellence.

Thompson’s involvement with the SPAAmart Feature Finance Market, which he founded in 2003, provides the real world understandings upon which the artistic excellence of IFSS are founded.  At the 2007 AFI Awards every feature film nominated for major awards were launched on the road to finance by Thompson whilst serving as Market Director of SPAAmart in the previous years.

A deep and pragmatic understanding of the mechanisms of the international film industry, and a revolutionary and highly successful approach to unleashing artistic excellence are the underpinnings of the IFSS training program.  Meshed with the finest teaching staff and cutting edge technology, IFSS provides a proven philosophy for creating world’s best creative practice.

The foundations for a fulfilling and enduring career in film.

We don’t just teach skills we develop distinctive inventive creative individuals. 

IFSS Philosophy - The Strategic Artist 

When you look at Spielberg, Fincher, David Lynch, Ken Loach, Kubrick, Kaufmann, Coppola -- you're looking at filmmakers as artists. Bresson, Ozu, Altman, Kiarostami, the Coen Brothers -- the same thing too. Tarantino, Ridley Scott, Woody Allen, Gus Van Sant, Sergio Leone. The list goes on.

And in all these cases you're also looking at the filmmaker as pragmatist. Filmmaker as entrepreneur. Filmmaker as inspired individualist. We believe the only way a great writer, director or producer is going to succeed is through their own unique individual brilliance.

You cannot teach filmmakers with a one-course-fits-all approach to training. You have to expose filmmakers to a multitude of voices. You have to teach filmmaking in a way that's tailored to each individual's understanding.

We believe that audiences demand something of substance, light and brilliance, and that to achieve this filmmakers need to be pushed to the very limits of their own unique and abiding excellence.

We don't just teach skills, we develop versatile, inventive, creative individuals with the necessary insights to consistently succeed in the international arena of independent film.

IFSS is production focused.

We believe that if you want to be a successful writer, director or producer, you must be trained in all three disciplines, so you understand the implications of every action you take.

Our goal is to transform our students into cinematic artists with dynamic storytelling skills, technical excellence and a distinctive creative voice.

Read what our students say about us