Vienna Film Academy, part of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, is one of the leading institutions for film education in Europe. Founded in 2004, it offers comprehensive bachelor’s and master’s programs designed to develop both the creative and technical skills needed for success in the film industry. The academy combines an innovative approach to filmmaking with a solid academic foundation, preparing students to become skilled professionals in various aspects of cinema, including directing, screenwriting, cinematography, and editing.
What sets the Vienna Film Academy apart is its emphasis on hands-on experience. Students are actively involved in producing approximately 80 films annually, ranging from 5 to 30 minutes in length. These projects allow students to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, often in collaboration with professional film production companies. This practical approach ensures that graduates are not only creatively equipped but also industry-ready.
The academy’s global reputation is reinforced by its notable alumni and teachers, including internationally recognized filmmakers such as Michael Haneke, director of The White Ribbon and Amour; Ulrich Seidl, known for Dog Days and Paradise: Love; Jessica Hausner, director of Lourdes and Little Joe; and Nikolaus Geyrhalter, celebrated for Our Daily Bread.
With state-of-the-art facilities and a strong international network, the Vienna Film Academy continues to provide students with an exceptional education, blending creativity with technical expertise to prepare them for the challenges of the modern film world. Through its combination of hands-on projects, academic rigor, and industry connections, the academy remains a top choice for aspiring filmmakers.
THE LAST PEOPLE (DIE LETZTEN MENSCHEN)
Austria, 2025, 25 min
Synopsis: Lenz is a humble character. But things seem to be changing in his village. Fabian beats someone half to death and Carina wants to move to New York. When a great love for him does not come true, Lenz has to accept that his little world is slowly fading away.
Director: Nicolás Pindeus
Cinematographer: Lukas Allmaier
Editor: Maria Lisa Pichler
Sound: Marius Mertens
Producer: Alisa Frischholz, Melvyn Zeyns
Cast: Manuel Hauer, Claudia Kainberger, Dominik Jung, Lenka Pichler, Bernd Jung
THE LAST BET (DIE LETZTE WETTE)
Austria, 2024, 14 min
Synopsis: The elderly couple Ernst and Leni regularly bets on the last piece of chocolate. They make a bet as to which of them will die first. Both want to die before the other, but each for their own reasons. In a black-humored and unsentimental way, but with a big heart, both show that they don’t want to be without each other.
Director: Meike Wüstenberg
Cinematographer: Dmitri Fjodorovs
Editor: Lucas Lörch
Sound: Leyla Jaff
Music: Felix Pöchhacker
Producer: Julie Stempelová
Cast: Dany Sigel, Wolfgang Hübsch