Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography

The Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography is a film school in Rostokino District, Moscow, Russia. Several buildings on the grounds house departments for directing, acting, camera work, editing, and animation where students train through hands-on projects.

The school opened in 1919 as the Moscow Film School, founded by director Vladimir Gardin with backing from Lenin. After the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, it continued under its current name, adapting to new conditions while keeping its focus on training filmmakers.

The school bears the name of Sergei Gerasimov, a director and teacher who spent decades shaping its methods. His approach emphasized learning by doing, a principle that continues to guide how students work with cameras, actors, and editing suites throughout their training.

The campus sits in the northern part of the city, reachable by metro and tram from the center. Visitors should keep in mind that it functions primarily as a teaching facility, so public access is limited and often available only during special events or by prior arrangement.

An on-site film studio allows students to shoot their graduation projects and exercises under real working conditions. The technical equipment ranges from older analogue cameras to digital systems, letting students learn different shooting techniques across formats.

Location: Rostokino District

Inception: September 1, 1919

Website: https://vgik.info

GPS coordinates: 55.83508,37.63727

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:14