The ambition of ZIFTESSA is to train students who will become Leaders of different screen industries in Africa and play a key role in setting high standards for screen production and exercise responsibility towards their audiences. Accordingly mere attainment of a high school certificate or degree by applicants does not necessarily meet all the criteria. In addition to good high school and /or University degree results applicants are expected to demonstrate the following attributes:
Successful candidates will be enrolled for Foundation Courses first in the first semester. Enrollment for specialisation subjects during the second semester of the two and a half years, during which students go on attachment programmes, complete their Practical Film Projects (PFP) and sit for their final examinations. Each year group comprises of an average of 20-25 students representing all core specialisations. A balanced distribution of students among specialisations is critical because the programme is based on a substantial proportion of practical group work where all specialisations must be represented. The modest year group intake of students takes into account staff-student ratio plus teaching and production floor space in order for students to have adequate access to relevant production equipment.
ZIFTESSA awards a two and a half year Diploma in Film and Television Production. The Diploma requires satisfactory completion of a two and a half year full time programme. Students must satisfactorily complete all units of their foundation courses and all units of their specialisation. They must attend lectures and seminars regularly and satisfactorily for the five semesters.
All students are expected to select a minor and major subject for specialisation in the third semester and a minor subject.
End of semester and final examinations will be held in accordance with the rules and regulations laid down by the Academic Committee of the school and the national requirements of HEXCO. In addition external examiners either from reputable film school institutions will be invited to assess the quality of the student’s performance whenever this is possible and considered necessary.