What distinction does the institute hold among film schools?

The institution is recognized as the oldest film school in the world.

Who was responsible for founding the school?

Film director Vladimir Gardin established the school after receiving authorization from Lenin.

After whom is the institute named?

The school is named in honor of film director and actor Sergei Gerasimov.

Which notable filmmakers have served on the teaching staff?

The teaching faculty has included Sergei Eisenstein, Lev Kuleshov, Mikhail Romm, Vsevolod Pudovkin, Aleksey Batalov, and Marlen Khutsiev.

Does the school provide courses in screenwriting?

The institution includes scriptwriting instruction among its academic programs.

Moscow · Russia

Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Foreign filmmakers must learn Russian before the institute admits them into a directing workshop or scriptwriting course.

Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Around here2

Exchange rate₽80.94per 1 $RUB — the local currencyas of Nov 2, 2026

Within two hours

Red Square≈ 30 min Kremlin≈ 30 min Lubyanka Building≈ 30 min Bolshoi Theatre≈ 30 min Moscow Zoo≈ 30 min State Historical Museum≈ 30 min

About the place

VGIK operates as the oldest film school in the world, training directors and screenwriters through rigorous studio workshops.

Vladimir Gardin established the institution with authorization from the Soviet leadership, making it the pioneer film academy globally. Chronic shortages of raw celluloid defined the earliest training sessions, forcing instructors to teach cinema theory and stage composition without running cameras. The academy later took the name of director Sergei Gerasimov after decades operating as the All-Union State Institute.

Read on

Pioneering filmmakers shaped the curriculum, including Sergei Eisenstein, Lev Kuleshov, and Mikhail Romm. Under Soviet rule, state regulations mandated that anyone wishing to direct a feature film had to graduate from this single academy. Today the institution remains distinct for maintaining specialized scriptwriting programs alongside traditional directing workshops, drawing foreign students who must first learn Russian.

Associations

Sergei EisensteinThe pioneering montage director taught generations of filmmakers here.
Russian language mandateInternational students must master Russian before starting regular courses.
Scriptwriting curriculumRare dedicated courses in screenwriting complement directing programs.
State directing monopolySoviet law required a diploma from this academy to direct any state film.

Facts

The institution stands as the oldest established film school in the world.
Director Vladimir Gardin established the academy following formal authorization from Vladimir Lenin.
Severe shortages of raw film stock constrained practical training during the founding period.
Soviet regulations required all prospective film directors to hold a diploma from the institute.
The university took its present title in honour of film director and actor Sergei Gerasimov.

Updated September 9, 2026Source: Wikipedia

Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around2

VGIK operates as the oldest film school in the world, training directors and screenwriters through rigorous studio workshops.

Getting there and staying

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