AFDA: Preparing leaders for today and tomorrow’s creative economy - applications and enrolment for 2026 are still open

AFDA - The no.1 school for the creative economy - stands proudly as Africa’s leading Oscar-winning tertiary institution, renowned for producing graduates who are creatively gifted, industry-ready and future focused. 

With 11 fully accredited and internationally recognised programmes supporting 24 disciplines, AFDA equips students with the practical skills, industry insight, and entrepreneurial mindset essential to thrive in the rapidly evolving global creative sector.

A future-focused education for a changing world

In an era where creative industries are expanding at a rapid pace, AFDA’s programmes are intentionally designed to be future-oriented, aligning education with real-world industry needs.

The curriculum focuses on outcomes-based, project-led learning that mirrors today’s working environment, developing technical expertise and critical competencies like creative problem-solving, innovation, collaboration and digital fluency. These skills that are indispensable in the 21st-century creative economy.

“One of AFDA’s founding pillars is its connection to the creative economy. The way our students learn, collaborate, and are assessed mirrors the industry environments they will one day enter and help shape. 

“Our focus remains on graduating industry-ready, future-focused students who contribute meaningfully to nation-building. We work hand in hand with industry and our alumni to stay at the forefront of what our graduates need in order to succeed.” says AFDA CEO Diaan Lawrenson.

Industry relevance through real experience

“Let me begin here: our entire learning faculty consists of industry professionals who are actively encouraged to maintain close ties with the creative sector through ongoing professional practice. This ensures that our teaching remains relevant, current, and grounded in reality. 

In addition, we engage a wide range of industry professionals through masterclasses, teaching, project supervision, and examination panels. Depending on the programme and year level, we offer internships and actively bridge students into industry. We remain open to building new partnerships to ensure our graduates thrive beyond their studies.” says AFDA CEO Diaan Lawrenson

AFDA’s membership in CILECT, the international association of renowned film and television schools, further strengthens this industry link, offering students global opportunities and exposure by connecting them with institutions like UCLA, La Fémis, and Columbia University.

Career-ready graduates shaping the creative economy

AFDA’s impact is tangible: its alumni are making significant contributions across the global creative landscape. Graduates have played key roles in over 350 feature films and more than 300 TV and streaming productions, spanning local favourites and internationally acclaimed works. Some examples include:

• The Oscar-winning documentary: My Octopus Teacher
• The Oscar nominated short film: The Last Ranger
• Hollywood blockbuster films: Black Panther, Spider Man and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• South African feature films: Five Fingers for Marseilles, Noem My Skollie (Call Me Thief) and Indemnity
• The Netflix series Blood & Water and Bad Influencer
• The SA streaming series: Go, Shaka Ilembe and Blood Psalms
• The SA television series and soapies: Suidooster, Skeem Saam, Generations, Uzalo, Isidingo, 7de Laan, Binnelanders, The River

The institution’s legacy of excellence is highlighted by its unique distinction as the only African film school to win a Student Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Foreign Student Film (“Elalini”, 2006), and continued recognition at major international competitions.

Programmes that reflect industry diversity

AFDA’s comprehensive offering spans creative disciplines and career pathways, empowering students to find their niche and excel within it. 

The programmes include:

higher certificates, undergraduate degrees, and postgraduate degrees in film, television, performance, business innovation, technology, radio and podcasting, and creative writing.

Each programme integrates hands-on practical, collaboration, interdisciplinary learning and exposure to real projects, bridging academic knowledge with industry practice.

Empowering career readiness

AFDA’s outcomes-based learning model encourages students to graduate with professional experience, a strong creative network, and a portfolio of real work. 

These are all powerful assets in the competitive creative landscape. Over 90% of AFDA’s Honours alumni are employed in their chosen fields, demonstrating the strength of its career-preparation model.

“AFDA continually invests in future-ready infrastructure and campuses, including new facilities designed to immerse students in industry-standard environments that reflect evolving technological and creative trends.” says AFDA CEO Diaan Lawrenson.

Choosing AFDA means choosing a pathway that is future focused, contextually relevant, and deeply connected to the creative industry. Its blend of accredited academic rigour, experiential learning, industry partnerships, and global recognition empowers graduates to shape and lead the creative economy, locally and internationally.

If you’re drawn to storytelling, performance, screen production, business innovation or writing, AFDA offers a robust platform to become career ready for both the present and future creative landscapes.

Enrol now and secure your future in the No.1 School for the Creative Economy. Creating Tomorrow's Leaders Since 1994.

Click here to find out more.