DIRECTING FOR FILM & TV
4-WEEK INTENSIVE DIRECTING PROGRAM (FOUNDATION LEVEL)
Course Content
The 4-Week Intensive Directing Program provides students with a strong foundation in the art, craft, and business of film and television directing. Students are introduced to the full filmmaking process, including understanding screenplay and story structure, the director’s vision, style, and identity, shot types and angles, production design, directing actors, and directing the crew.
Training follows a rigorous schedule of classroom lectures and guided practicals from Monday to Thursday, with Fridays to Sundays dedicated to shooting. Students direct three short film projects of increasing complexity, which are screened weekly with facilitators and peers present for structured feedback. The fourth week is devoted to shooting and editing the final project, culminating in a formal screening and appraisal.
benefits
- Strong foundational understanding of film directing
- Practical experience directing multiple short films
- Early exposure to working with actors and crew
- Weekly critique that sharpens creative and leadership skills
- Ideal for beginners and aspiring directors
TUITION: N350,000 +20% Equipment Handling
8-WEEK INTENSIVE DIRECTING PROGRAM (FOUNDATION + ON-SET IMMERSION)
Course Content
The 8-Week Intensive Directing Program is designed for students who want to move beyond fundamentals into real-world directing practice. The program is structured in two four-week phases.
The first four weeks focus on intensive instruction and guided practicals, covering directing theory, screenplay interpretation, visual storytelling, blocking, rehearsals, actor communication, and collaboration with department heads. During this phase, students direct three short films, which are screened weekly for critique and refinement.
The second four weeks is a 100% practical, on-set immersion phase, where students work as directors on two professionally produced short films. This phase places students in real production environments, emphasizing decision-making under pressure, managing cast and crew, maintaining creative vision, and delivering finished projects on schedule.
benefits
- Combines structured learning with deep on-set immersion
- Experience directing five short films in two months
- Direct exposure to professional production workflows
- Increased confidence in leading actors and crews
- Ideal for directors seeking accelerated professional readiness
TUITION: N650,000 +20% Equipment Handling
6-MONTH PROFESSIONAL DIRECTING PROGRAM (CAREER DEVELOPMENT LEVEL)
Course Content
The 6-Month Professional Directing Program is HDFA’s most comprehensive directing pathway, designed for students committed to building a serious career in film and television directing. The program begins with intensive foundational and intermediate training in story analysis, director’s vision and style development, visual language, actor direction, production design collaboration, and crew leadership.
As the program progresses, students move into extended directing practice, working on multiple short films and larger-scale productions of increasing complexity. Emphasis is placed on consistency of vision, leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving across all stages of production. Students also gain exposure to post-production processes, including editing supervision and creative decision-making.
The final phase focuses on professional readiness, including portfolio and showreel development, pitching, industry expectations, and career strategy. Students graduate with a body of directed work that demonstrates creative identity, technical competence, and leadership ability.
benefits
- Deep, sustained mastery of film directing
- Extensive experience leading actors and production teams
- Strong portfolio of professionally directed projects
- Clear development of personal directing voice and style
- Comprehensive preparation for professional film and television careers