Summer Enrollment is Open! Courses begin June 23, 2025.

certificate

Feature Film Writing

Complete up to three feature film scripts with the guidance of industry professionals. The UCLA Extension Feature Film Writing Certificate program can be completed online or in the classroom.

SEE COURSES IN THIS PROGRAM

This program is perfect for...

Aspiring screenwriters
Industry professionals seeking to transition to feature film writing
Working screenwriters looking to fine-tune skills including scene and dialogue

What you can learn.

Write and revise a feature film script
Sharpen elements of your writing, including dialogue, character, and conflict
Examine the business aspects of feature film writing
Gain insight from entertainment professionals and Writers Guild of America (WGA) members

Script Your Future

The UCLA Extension Feature Film Writing Certificate program offers enrollees a focused and results-oriented environment where they can work on one to three feature film scripts.

Students can benefit from professional exposure and industry connections, and are eligible for perks such as a full-scale screenplay consultation (page limits apply).

Courses are taught by produced writers and/or experienced entertainment industry professionals, many of whom are Writers Guild of America (WGA) members.

This certificate program can be completed entirely online, onsite or a combination of the two.

The full certificate curriculum is listed further down on this page.

For those who meet certain requirements, an intermediate or advanced level track is also available.

Required introductory courses may be waived upon departmental approval, however, to earn the certificate, candidates must still complete a minimum of the sum total of required core course units and elective course units listed for this Writers’ Program certificate.”

Previously completed courses in another UNEX Certificate program may apply in a limited quantity of units to a Writers’ Program Certificate if the course is eligible for the requirements. Please contact an advisor for more details at writers@uclaextension.edu.

Expect more from your education.

Learn from Industry Leaders

Ms. Camara won a Telly Award for the sci-fi found footage feature Occupants. Her feature directorial debut In Transit won Best Experimental Film at four different festivals. Her other writing credits include Area Q and Open Road.

Meet Julia Camara

Writers' Program Open House

Learn how we can help you achieve your writing goals in this online informative, interactive session that includes an opportunity for advising.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025
4:00-6:00PM PT

Learn More

Lost Canyon and Passengers owe their successes to the first-rate instructors at UCLA Extension, who provide an unconditionally supportive and stimulating environment.

Jill Sim

Feature Film Writing Certificate Graduate. Winner of the 2009 Phoenix Film Festival Screenplay Competition.

Courses

Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.

Required (4)

Elective (2)

Required Courses

Feature Film I

SCRIPT X 410.1

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Feature Film II

SCRIPT X 410.2

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Feature Film III

SCRIPT X 410.3

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Feature Film IV

SCRIPT X 410.4

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Electives - Feature Film or Television Writing

In addition to the required courses, students must complete an additional 6 units from Feature Film Writing or TV Writing. Browse courses by selecting the links below. Courses in Entertainment Studies are not eligible.

Beginning Feature Film, Intermediate Feature Film, or Advanced Feature Film

Beginning Television, Intermediate Television, or Advanced Television

Special Topics for Film & Television Writers

How to Get Started

Courses in this program are open enrollment, and each course is paid for individually.

Sequential courses should be taken in numerical order, starting from the lowest course number and progressing to higher numbers.

You may take Feature Film Writing courses without committing to the entire program.* However, by establishing candidacy in the program, you will receive many benefits exclusive to our certificate students such as priority placement on waitlists and access to the UCLA Career Center's job board.

Need assistance? If you have any questions or need advice on course selection, feel free to reach out to us at writers@uclaextension.edu.

*If you take Feature Film Writing courses and pass them with letter grades, they can count retroactively towards certificates for up to five years.

A grade of "C" or better must be earned in all courses in order to fulfill certificate requirements.

Certificate Benefits

Benefits exclusive for Writers' Program certificate students:

Advising: Receive a 30-minute, one-on-one goal-setting consultation with a Writers’ Program advisor. During this consultation, the advisor will customize a certificate program curriculum tailored to your experience, interests, and writing goals.
Enrollment Advantages: Receive quarterly notice when Writers’ Program courses open for enrollment each quarter and receive preferential placement on wait lists.
Script Consultation: Get valuable feedback through a 1-on-1 script consultation with a Writers’ Program instructor after completion of coursework (value up to $775). Learn more.

Benefits exclusive to all UCLA Extension certificate students:

Career Resources: Access UCLA Extension’s Career Resources including online career coaching, workshops, networking events, and other resources. Learn More.
Handshake Access: Explore thousands of job and internship postings through UCLA Career Center’s online job board. Learn More.
UCLA Alumni Association Membership: Upon completing your certificate, join the nationwide Bruin family as a member of the UCLA Alumni Association. Learn More.
Graduation Celebration: Attend the annual UCLA Extension Graduation Ceremony on campus to celebrate your achievements. Learn More.
UCLA Recreation Facilities: Enjoy access to UCLA Recreation facilities as a student affiliate. Learn More.
Bruin ID Card: Obtain an affiliate/Guest UCLA Bruin ID Card for additional student-related benefits. Learn More.

How to Apply

How to Apply - Establish Certificate Candidacy

Click the Apply Now button below
Login or create a new student account
Once you are logged into the student portal, you can select “My Applications” from the left side menu at any time to return to your application. Click the yellow “Start” button to proceed.
On the Certificate Application page, follow the instructions and click save. Then submit your application.
Proceed to checkout and pay the nonrefundable candidacy fee to finalize your application.

Estimated Cost Breakdown

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application & Candidacy Fee

200.00

Estimated Program Tuition

4320.00

Estimated program textbook/materials

300.00

Apply Now

*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.

Internships
Available

Approved for
International Visa

VA Benefit
Eligible

Federal
Financial Aid

**Federal Financial Aid Gainful Employment Disclosures

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.