One of my short films won a ($18,000) scholarship to VFS's 1-year intensive Film production program. This is very helpful to me financially, but is it worth going? I would graduate with a diploma in film studies and a better demo reel. Anyone have any definitive reviews of the vancouver Film School?

Perhaps if I go I could then afterwards apply to a school such as USC, NYU etc. with a much better portfolio.

Any Information or comments would be helpful, thanks!

If you won an $18,000 scholarship to the VFS, go to it. You're right, improve your demo reel - but the diploma will mean nothing. If you want to have something on paper, you'll have to apply to a school afterwards.

Point is though, you have an incredible opportunity to improve your portfolio before you go, but it's up to you if you want to spend the year doing so or not. Sounds like the film that won the competition should be good enough to get you into a school that you apply to, considering it won you $18k.

-Kegan Sant

the main complaint i hear about VFS is that it is too expensive for what it is, but if you're getting it for free (or mostly free) i would say definately do it. May i ask how you got this scholarship?

I heard about them for a while. They always sent me videos to try and get me to go much like what evan said way to much $$$.

Well the 18,000 I won from http://www.zoomfest.com/main.htm
Won first top prize (judges selection), website claims its $24,000 but actual form says different, either way a VFS year is free.

Theres no guarantee I'll get the scholarship (We were a group of 5, no director, everyone has equal credit). We're undecided on who should receive it, Scholarship kept at school.

Thanks for the feedback, If anyone else has any more comments on the post (even if they are the same, it would help me to know that more people agree with something and strengthen an option) please type away.

Also, this has just occurred to me, if you have any suggestions on sharing the scholarship, don't hesitate either.

Once again, thanks!