Overview
From day one, you’ll dive into hands-on production, learning the core principles of storytelling, directing, cinematography and post-production. You’ll write, develop and pitch your own short film idea, create a one-minute film to a brief, and then bring your concept to life through a full shoot, edit and screening. Along the way, you’ll crew on your classmates’ projects and experience the many collaborative roles of a working film set.
With access to professional studios, industry-standard gear, editing suites and prop resources, you’ll learn by doing in the same environment that professional filmmakers use. Every class connects creative theory with practical, real-world experience.
Guided by industry-experienced tutors, you’ll learn how to communicate your vision, lead a team and shape powerful visual stories. By the end of the four weeks, you’ll walk away with two short films in your portfolio, credits to your name and the confidence to pursue your creative path – whether that’s your first step toward film school or the start of your own independent projects.
Course structure
Topics covered
The course guides you through the full journey of making a short film, combining hands-on practice with creative exploration. Whether you’re interested in directing, cinematography, or editing, you’ll gain the skills to bring your ideas confidently to screen.
- Story – Concept to screen
Develop your narrative from initial idea to finished short film, shaping scripts and working with creative briefs to tell compelling stories. - Craft – Cameras, lighting and sound
Learn to operate cameras, lighting, and sound equipment with purpose, making technical choices that enhance your vision. - Collaboration – On set and beyond
Work effectively with actors, musicians, and fellow filmmakers, mastering communication and teamwork on set. - Direction – Working with actors
Explore the art of directing, from guiding performance to creating meaningful interaction within your scenes. - Structure – Mise-en-scène and editing
Apply principles of mise-en-scène and edit with attention to narrative flow, pacing, and color grading to shape your film’s rhythm and style. - Production – Planning and post-production
Organize shoots, schedule sets, and complete your project in post-production, finishing with polished work ready to share. - Feedback – Critique and growth
Give and receive constructive feedback to refine your work and strengthen your filmmaking voice.
Weekly breakdown
Week 1 - Foundational filmmaking skills and pitching scripts
Project: Craft and pitch your own story - then bring it to life in your very first one-minute film.
Every great filmmaker starts with a spark - a story waiting to be told. In your first week, you will transform that spark into a script, learn to pitch with confidence, and step behind the camera for the first time.
- Hands-on introduction to professional filmmaking equipment.
- Receive your first creative brief and begin shaping your vision.
- Learn to write to a brief - balancing creativity with clarity.
- Develop pitching skills that captivate and persuade.
- Discover the essentials of camera operation and sound recording.
- Build your foundation in directing actors and leading a set.
- Edit your film like a pro - cut, pace, and package your story.
- End the week with feedback and reflection on your debut short film.
Week 2 - Making each frame count
Project: Hone your technical and creative skills in preparation for your main film project.
This is where craft meets collaboration. You will refine your story, assemble your crew, and start working like a real production team.
- Finalise your shooting script with expert guidance.
- Form your film crew and establish clear, professional roles.
- Develop skills in directing, cinematography, and production management.
- Strengthen teamwork and creative communication.
- Conduct sound tests and visual experiments to prepare for set.
- Receive targeted feedback to ensure your film is production-ready.
Week 3 - Shooting week (Production)
Project: Step onto set - it is time to shoot your film.
This is the week it all comes together. You will bring your script to life, lead your team on set, and capture the footage that will become your finished film.
- Experience the thrill of on-location filming and set visits.
- Lead your project through directing workshops focused on the language of film.
- Take part in on-set production sessions supported by industry mentors.
- Receive real-time feedback as you navigate the challenges of shooting.
Week 4 - Post-production
Project: Edit, polish, and premiere your film.
Now it is time to shape your story - frame by frame, sound by sound - until it shines. You will learn to create rhythm, emotion, and visual harmony through editing and sound design.
- Dive into sound design and mixing, recording dialogue and creating atmosphere.
- Master storytelling through editing - pacing, rhythm, and emotion.
- Elevate your visuals with colour grading and final touches.
- Wrap your project professionally - from delivery to presentation.
- Conclude the course with a showcase screening and in-depth feedback on your final film.
Skills you will gain
By the end of this short course, you’ll be able to:
- Bring stories to life – turn ideas into captivating short films
- Write, pitch, and develop your own projects with confidence
- Collaborate like a pro – communicate seamlessly with crew and actors
- Shoot creatively – operate cameras and compose dynamic shots
- Light with purpose – shape mood, tone, and atmosphere
- Capture and edit sound to enhance emotion
- Edit for impact – craft sequences that engage audiences
- Plan, problem-solve, and adapt on set
- Refine your craft through feedback and reflection
Progression
Whether you want to spend four weeks developing foundational skills in filmmaking and connecting with like-minded individuals, or you’re preparing to advance to one of our longer HE Certificate, BA or MA programmes and need practical experience, this short course will equip you with the tools, knowledge and community with which to take those initial steps.
The course will also provide you with key insights into working within and alongside a crew that are essential in the film industry. You will develop and receive feedback on projects that will help you take initial steps into roles including: scriptwriter, editor, director, director of photography, camera assistant, producer, assistant director and sound operator/editor.
“I had little to no experience, and now I can understand the fundamental skills of operating a camera, editing, and everything in between.”
– Filmmaking Short Course alumni
Your technological playground
Get hands-on access to professional facilities and tons of bookable gear.
Tutors
Our tutors are industry-acclaimed experts in their field, with a passion for passing on their knowledge to others. Here are some of the tutors that will be supporting you throughout your learning process.
Essential information
Tuition fees
Enrolment fee*: €495
Course fee: €1,755
Total: €2,250
Early Bird Discount: Enrol in a Summer Short Course before the end of March 31 2026 and receive a discount of €150 off the tuition fee.
Multi Course Discount: Enrol in both a Summer Short Course and a degree course with us in the same year, and receive a discount of €500 off the total tuition fee.
*Enrolment fee is non-refundable.
Timetable
We can’t provide an exact timetable until we know how many students will attend the course. However, you will have an average of 16 hours per week of workshops. Alongside this, you will have some technical inductions and timetabled opportunities for collaboration with students from other programmes.
Our campus facilities are open for the students to use beyond the timetabled workshop hours. The film studio, classrooms, digital workstations, editing suites and Co-labs are bookable from 10:00 until 19:45 during the Short Course term. Each student has 3 hours per week of bookable time, as well as ad-hoc bookings depending on availability of the facilities.
Entry requirements
The most important prerequisite for attending this course is that you must be passionate about building and developing your skills within electronic music production.
Our Short Courses are designed to be accessible to anyone, so we do not require any level of academic certification to apply. Generally, applicants must be 18 or over when the course begins. If you're coming from outside the EU, a holiday/travel visa will usually suffice.
For more information, please contact a member of the Admissions team. We love to chat! You can reach out to us at:
Email: admissions@catalyst-berlin.com
Phone: book a call
Application deadlines
Early bird deadline: 31 March 2026
Final application deadline: 29 May 2026
Spots fill up fast. Once a course is full, you'll be placed on the waiting list.
Save €150 with the Early Bird Discount
Apply to any Summer Short Course before 31 March 2026 to secure your spot early and receive €150 off your tuition fee.
Student work
Here’s a glimpse of just some of the short films created by our previous students during this course.