Course description
The Cinematography Program at AMA Kraków is an intensive, two-year program that prepares students for a career as a cinematographer. The curriculum combines hands-on training with a modern approach to imagery, lighting, and visual storytelling. Graduates are ready to work in the audiovisual industry—from commercial and documentary projects to commercials and television productions. The program also opens the door to working on feature films—nothing stands in the way of a graduate making a name for themselves at film festivals with a distinctive style inspired by their work with instructors who are active filmmakers themselves. The program is carried out in collaboration with PRG Cinegate by AMA Rental.
The curriculum combines a deep understanding of the technical aspects of working with a camera with an artistic approach to image-making. Students learn both how to use modern film equipment and traditional methods of working with images, which allows them to develop their own style and technique.
Operational
An intensive, hands-on program that provides comprehensive skills in modern cinematography. It prepares students to work independently as cinematographers. The program is offered at AMA Warsaw.
Space is limited—groups of 10 people.
In addition,
We’ve prepared special terms for those committed to pursuing their education at AMA.
Candidates who pass the admissions process and sign a student contract by the end of June 2026 will receive a 30% discount on their final semester—as support during the final stage of their education.
Duration
2 years, 4 semesters. One semester consists of 8 sessions held every 2 weeks. Classes are held on Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Start your education in this course
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Cinematography program at AMA Warsaw is a two-year part-time program for people who want to learn how to create a cinematic image—from exposure and optics to lighting, color, and frame composition. The program combines a solid foundation in cinematography theory with intensive practical work: each semester concludes with a cinematography short film that is evaluated by industry professionals.
Classes are held on weekends—Fridays starting at 4:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays starting at 10:00 a.m.—every other week. This format is designed for people who are working or studying and want to become camera operators without giving up their current activities. Groups are limited to a maximum of 10 people, which ensures that every student gets real hands-on experience working with the camera.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Cinematography program at AMA Warsaw is designed for people who want to learn how to consciously craft a cinematic image—to understand lighting, framing, and camera movement, and to use them to tell a story. This is not a course on how to operate equipment. It is a program that teaches cinematography as both a craft and a visual language—from the technical fundamentals to creative aesthetic decisions.
The program is a two-year part-time program: classes are held on weekends every other week, allowing students to combine their studies with work or other academic pursuits. The first year lays the foundation: camera work, exposure, optics, lighting, and black-and-white and color short films. The second year focuses on specialization and in-depth study—advanced lighting techniques, camera movement, on-set VFX, internships on film sets, and the production of an original graduation film.
At AMA, cinematographers learn not only how to shoot—they learn to think in images. The program covers the history and analysis of cinematographic styles, color theory, aesthetics, and visual storytelling—all of which directly inform the decisions made on set, behind the camera, and in collaboration with the director.
Who is this program for?
The Film Production program is for people who:
- want to learn the trade of a film operator through a weekend program,
- are interested in imagery, light, composition, and visual language,
- want to work on feature films, documentaries, commercials, or television productions,
- combine their studies with work and need a flexible class schedule,
- want to develop their own visual style and original approach to imagery,
- They want to gain practical experience on a film set, not just in the classroom.
This is a good program for those who want to enter the film industry with a solid foundation in cinematography—regardless of their starting point.
What You’ll Learn
During the program, you will develop the skills required of a cinematographer—from technical, artistic, and production perspectives. You will learn:
- operate HD, 4K, 6K, and 8K video cameras and work with RAW, LOG, and HDR formats,
- set the exposure, select the lens, and work with digital cinematography reference charts,
- set up lighting in a studio, on location, and in natural indoor settings,
- compose shots and operate the camera—including using a Steadicam, cranes, and dollies,
- shoot dynamic footage: car chases, helicopters, scenes in challenging conditions,
- understand color theory and develop a cohesive visual concept for a project,
- analyze directorial styles and consciously draw on the history of cinema,
- work with the director and crew on set,
- produce cinematography studies—black-and-white, color, and graduation projects,
- work with on-set VFX and understand image post-production.
What Is Learning Like?
The program is practical and project-based—each semester concludes with a cinematography etude that is presented to and evaluated by industry professionals. Classes are held on weekends every other week (8 sessions per semester), which allows for an intensive learning experience while maintaining flexibility. Class sizes are limited to a maximum of 10 students.
The program includes, among other things:
- working with a camera — from the basics to advanced production techniques,
- lighting and staging workshops,
- lens tests and style tests,
- exercises with a Steadicam, stabilizers, and grip systems,
- the production of cinematography studies—black-and-white and color (first year),
- thesis film (second year) with individual consultations,
- classes on the film set and at the AMA studio,
- internships on film sets and in productions through a partnership with PRG Cinegate,
- film analysis and cinematography theory,
- art history and aesthetics.
Learning Outcome
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- is able to operate professional camera and lighting equipment independently,
- He consciously constructs the cinematic image—framing, lighting, color, movement,
- makes aesthetic and technical decisions appropriate to the style and genre of the production,
- understands the relationship between camerawork and directing, editing, and post-production,
- is able to work on a film crew and communicate a visual concept,
- He is ready to enter the film, advertising, and television industries as a cinematographer.
The Cinematography program at AMA is a path to a career that combines technical precision with artistic sensibility—for those who want to be in charge of how every shot looks.
FAQ — Telecommunications in Warsaw (Part-Time)
What do I learn in the Film Production program at AMA? The program covers the full scope of a cinematographer’s work: exposure, optics, frame composition, lighting techniques in the studio and on location, working with digital cameras (4K, 6K, 8K, RAW, LOG), camera movement using a Steadicam and dolly, stylistic tests, and on-set VFX. Alongside practical training comes theory: the history of cinematography, aesthetics, visual storytelling, and style analysis.
What is the part-time program like—when and how often are classes held? Classes are held on weekends: Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., on a biweekly basis. One semester consists of 8 sessions. This schedule allows students to balance their studies with work or other activities.
Do I need my own equipment for this major? No. Students have access to AMA’s well-stocked rental inventory—including camera, lighting, sound, and grip equipment—as well as a film studio and state-of-the-art editing suites. The program is offered in collaboration with PRG Cinegate by AMA Rental.
What etudes are covered during the course? In their first year, students complete an individual black-and-white etude (first-semester requirement) and a color etude (second-semester requirement). Both projects are evaluated by industry professionals. In the second year, students produce an original graduation film, on which they work with individual consultations.
Is it possible to work on actual movie sets? Yes. As part of the program, students participate in productions by AMA Film Production and complete internships on professional film sets and on projects in collaboration with PRG Cinegate. This is a key element of the program—learning through real-world production experience.
What is on-set VFX, and why is it included in the program? On-set VFX refers to techniques for working with visual effects directly on set—including green screen, practical effects, and planning shots for post-production. A modern cinematographer must understand how the footage will be processed after production in order to make the right technical and artistic decisions while shooting.
What is a graduation film, and what does the final exam entail? To graduate from the program, students must produce an original graduation film, which is presented to an audience during an open exam, and pass a theoretical exam. Students who pass receive a diploma from the AMA Film Academy.
DIPLOMA
To complete the Cinematography program and earn a diploma, students must produce an original graduation film, which is presented to an audience during an open exam, and pass a theoretical exam. Students who pass both parts of the exam receive an AMA Film Academy diploma.
Institutions Supporting the Program
Program supported by
The Polish Film Institute
and its equipment partners.
Related courses
Operational
A day-long course on the camera, lighting, composition, and the cinematographer's role on set.
Film Directing
A program for those who want to develop their skills in directing, working with actors, and the language of film.
Film Acting
A program for people who want to develop their film acting skills and work in front of the camera.
Image Post-Production
A program focusing on visual effects, CGI, 3D, compositing, and color grading.
Course curriculum
Registration Guide
Registration begins on: April 15 , 2026
Recruitment begins on: May 5 , 2026
Course start date: October 3, 2026; end date: June 25, 2028
Exam fee: 250 PLN
Accident Insurance: 70 PLN
Entry fee: 1,900 PLN
Tuition: 9,000 PLN per semester / 18,000 PLN per year
Payable per semester in advance by October 1 and February 15 of each year
or in monthly installments due by the 5th of each month:
October–June: 1,870 PLN
July–September: 1,000 PLN
» We’ve prepared special terms for those committed to pursuing their education at AMA.
Candidates who pass the admissions process and sign a student contract by the end of June 2026 will receive a 30% discount on the final semester—as support during the final stage of their education.
Practice
- Light in Various Environments: The course focuses on working with light in the studio, outdoors, and in natural indoor settings, teaching students how to adapt to a variety of lighting conditions.
- Pan and Tilt Exercises: Practicing camera movement techniques, including smooth transitions and frame changes.
- Working with Various Cameras: The course covers working with professional HD, 4K, 6K, and 8K film cameras, configuring camera menus, as well as the practical application of RAW, LOG, and HDR technologies.
- DSLR Basics: Learning how to use DSLR cameras, which are often used in both low-budget productions and situations that require lightweight and flexible equipment.
- Stabilizers and Steadicams: Training in the use of image stabilizers, including Steadicams, to achieve smooth and stable shots while moving.
- Action Photography: Learn how to film moving vehicles, camera movement techniques, and how to operate grip equipment, cranes, and dollies.
- Cinematography Workshops: Workshops on lighting and staging that provide a deeper understanding of and hands-on experience with set design and lighting setup.
- Individual and group work with a camera: Independent production of cinematography exercises and group exercises under the guidance of experienced instructors.
- Advanced Operator Tests: Conducting tests using state-of-the-art control panels for digital cinematography, which enables operators to understand and adjust camera settings to meet the specific needs of a production.
- Special and effects photography: Shooting in challenging conditions, such as at night, in the rain, or in fog, as well as during stunt scenes, and working with on-set VFX.
- Film Editing: A course on the basics of editing that helps you understand how the arrangement of scenes affects the final form of a film’s narrative.
- Collaboration with the director and film crew: Developing communication and collaboration skills on set and in the studio.
- Experience on Film Sets: Participation in productions by AMA Film Production and internships on professional film sets, providing hands-on experience in film and television production.
- He – VFX set
- lens tests
- stylistic tests
- film editing
- collaboration with the director
- classes on a film set and in a studio
- camerawork on AMA TV productions, internships on film sets and in productions, and at PRG Cinegate.
Thanks to this comprehensive approach to practical training, students at AMA Film Academy graduate with the skills, experience, and knowledge necessary to succeed in the film industry.
Theory
During the course, students explore a range of theoretical topics that form the foundation for every cinematographer:
- Art and Film History: Understanding the Development of Film and the Visual Arts.
- Aesthetics and the Fundamentals of Stage Design: Studies in Aesthetic Theory and the Principles of Stage Design.
- Film Language and Visual Narrative: An Analysis of Ways to Tell Stories Through Images.
- Film Analysis and Cinematographic Styles: An exploration of various cinematographic styles and techniques through the analysis of films.
- Fundamentals of Composition and Photography: Developing skills in frame composition and photographic techniques.
- Operating Technology (Analog and Digital): Understanding both traditional and modern equipment and techniques.
- Lighting Techniques: Using Light in Various Settings—in the Studio, Outdoors, and Indoors.
- Exposimetry and Optics: The science of measuring light and optical properties.
- Color Theory and Visual Concept for Film: Understanding the use of color in film and developing a visual concept for a production.
- Post-Production and Computer-Generated Effects (VFX): An introduction to post-production, special effects, and previsualization techniques.
Faculty Members in the Following Programs
Faculty members teaching courses in the following major:
- Piotr Lenar
- Jarosław Żamojda
- Adam Bajerski
- Wojciech Todorow
- Jacek Fabrowicz
- Paweł Pełech
- Marek Fudali
- Janusz Julo Sus
- Krzysztof Mieszkowski
- Tomasz Kuzio
- Jarosław Wierzbicki
- Marek Modzelewski
Admission Requirements
To apply for admission to the Cinematography program, you must take an entrance exam in the form of an interview. If you have any work in the fields of film, photography, visual arts, or literature, you may present it during the interview—this is an added advantage, not a requirement.
We schedule interview dates with participants on an individual basis.
If you’d like, you can also send your resume or portfolio to the following email address: rekrutacja@amafilmacademy.pl
» We have prepared special terms for those who are committed to growing their careers at AMA.
Candidates who are accepted and sign a student contract by the end of June 2026 will receive a 30% discount on their final semester—as support during the final stage of their education.
Registration Guide
Registration begins on: April 15 , 2026
Recruitment begins on: May 5 , 2026
Course start date: October 3, 2026; end date: June 25, 2028
Exam fee: 250 PLN
Accident Insurance: 70 PLN
Entry fee: 1,900 PLN
Tuition: 9,000 PLN per semester / 18,000 PLN per year
Payable per semester in advance by October 1 and February 15 of each year
or in monthly installments due by the 5th of each month:
October–June: 1,870 PLN
July–September: 1,000 PLN
» We’ve prepared special terms for those committed to pursuing their education at AMA.
Candidates who pass the admissions process and sign a student contract by the end of June 2026 will receive a 30% discount on the final semester—as support during the final stage of their education.
Practice
- Light in Various Environments: The course focuses on working with light in the studio, outdoors, and in natural indoor settings, teaching students how to adapt to a variety of lighting conditions.
- Pan and Tilt Exercises: Practicing camera movement techniques, including smooth transitions and frame changes.
- Working with Various Cameras: The course covers working with professional HD, 4K, 6K, and 8K film cameras, configuring camera menus, as well as the practical application of RAW, LOG, and HDR technologies.
- DSLR Basics: Learning how to use DSLR cameras, which are often used in both low-budget productions and situations that require lightweight and flexible equipment.
- Stabilizers and Steadicams: Training in the use of image stabilizers, including Steadicams, to achieve smooth and stable shots while moving.
- Action Photography: Learn how to film moving vehicles, camera movement techniques, and how to operate grip equipment, cranes, and dollies.
- Cinematography Workshops: Workshops on lighting and staging that provide a deeper understanding of and hands-on experience with set design and lighting setup.
- Individual and group work with a camera: Independent production of cinematography exercises and group exercises under the guidance of experienced instructors.
- Advanced Operator Tests: Conducting tests using state-of-the-art control panels for digital cinematography, which enables operators to understand and adjust camera settings to meet the specific needs of a production.
- Special and effects photography: Shooting in challenging conditions, such as at night, in the rain, or in fog, as well as during stunt scenes, and working with on-set VFX.
- Film Editing: A course on the basics of editing that helps you understand how the arrangement of scenes affects the final form of a film’s narrative.
- Collaboration with the director and film crew: Developing communication and collaboration skills on set and in the studio.
- Experience on Film Sets: Participation in productions by AMA Film Production and internships on professional film sets, providing hands-on experience in film and television production.
- He – VFX set
- lens tests
- stylistic tests
- film editing
- collaboration with the director
- classes on a film set and in a studio
- camerawork on AMA TV productions, internships on film sets and in productions, and at PRG Cinegate.
Thanks to this comprehensive approach to practical training, students at AMA Film Academy graduate with the skills, experience, and knowledge necessary to succeed in the film industry.
Theory
During the course, students explore a range of theoretical topics that form the foundation for every cinematographer:
- Art and Film History: Understanding the Development of Film and the Visual Arts.
- Aesthetics and the Fundamentals of Stage Design: Studies in Aesthetic Theory and the Principles of Stage Design.
- Film Language and Visual Narrative: An Analysis of Ways to Tell Stories Through Images.
- Film Analysis and Cinematographic Styles: An exploration of various cinematographic styles and techniques through the analysis of films.
- Fundamentals of Composition and Photography: Developing skills in frame composition and photographic techniques.
- Operating Technology (Analog and Digital): Understanding both traditional and modern equipment and techniques.
- Lighting Techniques: Using Light in Various Settings—in the Studio, Outdoors, and Indoors.
- Exposimetry and Optics: The science of measuring light and optical properties.
- Color Theory and Visual Concept for Film: Understanding the use of color in film and developing a visual concept for a production.
- Post-Production and Computer-Generated Effects (VFX): An introduction to post-production, special effects, and previsualization techniques.
Faculty Members in the Following Programs
Faculty members teaching courses in the following major:
- Piotr Lenar
- Jarosław Żamojda
- Adam Bajerski
- Wojciech Todorow
- Jacek Fabrowicz
- Paweł Pełech
- Marek Fudali
- Janusz Julo Sus
- Krzysztof Mieszkowski
- Tomasz Kuzio
- Jarosław Wierzbicki
- Marek Modzelewski
Admission Requirements
To apply for admission to the Cinematography program, you must take an entrance exam in the form of an interview. If you have any work in the fields of film, photography, visual arts, or literature, you may present it during the interview—this is an added advantage, not a requirement.
We schedule interview dates with participants on an individual basis.
If you’d like, you can also send your resume or portfolio to the following email address: rekrutacja@amafilmacademy.pl
» We have prepared special terms for those who are committed to growing their careers at AMA.
Candidates who are accepted and sign a student contract by the end of June 2026 will receive a 30% discount on their final semester—as support during the final stage of their education.
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