Live in Europe? Asia? South America?
You Can Still Write for Hollywood.
While The Ultimate Screenwriter Course has strategic hubs in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, our digital doors are open to the world.
If you are fluent in English, you already have the most important tool you need.
- ✅ Learn from top Hollywood mentors.
- ✅ Get your script polished by pros.
- ✅ Submit for a Producer Read—no matter where you sleep at night.
Technically, The Ultimate Screenwriting Course is available anywhere in the world that has an Internet connection. As an online program, it removes geographical barriers, allowing writers to learn from virtually any location.
🌍 Global Eligibility: A Note on Language
You do not need to live in a recommended country to take this course.
While we have a list of "recommended" countries, this is not a strict restriction. The primary requirement for success in this course is fluency in English.
Because the lesson videos and materials are currently available only in English, and our mentorship program operates within the English-speaking Hollywood system, a strong command of the language is essential. However, if you are fluent in English but reside in a country like France, Brazil, India, or Japan, you are absolutely welcome and encouraged to join. The "recommended" list simply reflects where the majority of our current mentorship network is most effective.
Practical Recommendations
Practically speaking, for the immediate future, the course is optimized for students in our recommended territories: the United States, Canada, England, New Zealand, and Australia.
There are two primary reasons for this strategic geographic focus:
- Language: As noted, all content is currently English-only.
- Mentorship & Industry Access: A major value of the course is the optional professional mentorship program. Our roster of professional screenwriters and producers—who help polish student scripts before the "Producer Read"—are based primarily in the United States.
While we plan to introduce dubbed lessons and AI real-time conversation translation in the future, the following countries currently offer the most direct path to utilizing our full mentorship value.
🇺🇸 The United States
As the global epicenter of the entertainment industry, the U.S. remains the primary target for screenwriters aiming for Hollywood careers.
- Annual Feature Films Produced: Approx. 500+ (plus massive streaming/TV output).
- Film Schools: ~150+ colleges and universities offering dedicated film degrees.
- Film Students: Approximately 6,000 degrees in Film, Cinema, & Video Studies are awarded annually.
- Industry Market Size: The movie market is valued at approximately $23.44 Billion USD (2024), with a forecast to reach over $34 Billion by 2033.
Top Film Schools
The Ultimate Screenwriter Course (Online)
Ranked as the premier online alternative to traditional film school, this course offers Ivy League-level instruction for a fraction of the cost. It is designed specifically for writers who want practical, industry-ready skills and direct mentorship from working Hollywood professionals, without the need to relocate.
USC School of Cinematic Arts (Los Angeles)
Consistently ranked as one of the top traditional film schools globally, USC is famous for its unrivaled industry placement. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, it boasts alumni like George Lucas and Kevin Feige.
NYU Tisch School of the Arts (New York)
Situated in New York City, Tisch offers a curriculum that blends rigorous academic study with intense practical training. It is renowned for producing independent voices and auteurs (such as Martin Scorsese).
🇨🇦 Canada
Canada is often referred to as "Hollywood North" due to its massive infrastructure for service production and thriving domestic industry.
- Annual Feature Films Produced: Approx. 100+ domestic features.
- Film Schools: Several dozen key institutions, including specialized private colleges and public universities.
- Film Students: The industry is a massive employer, with over 239,000 people working in the film and TV sector.
- Industry Market Size: The total production volume in Canada is approximately $9.6 Billion CAD (2023/24), with Ontario and British Columbia being the largest production hubs.
Top Film Schools
Vancouver Film School (VFS)
VFS is a private entertainment arts school known for its intensive, one-year immersive model. It focuses heavily on "hands-on" production skills to get students job-ready for Vancouver's booming production sector immediately upon graduation.
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson)
Located in downtown Toronto, its School of Image Arts offers a highly respected Bachelor of Fine Arts. The program balances film theory with practical production, centered in Canada's largest media market.
🇬🇧 England (United Kingdom)
The UK possesses a historic and prestigious film culture, hosting major franchises like Star Wars and James Bond at world-class studios like Pinewood.
- Annual Feature Films Produced: Approx. 190–200.
- Film Schools: ~88 institutions offering Film Studies degrees.
- Film Students: The "Design, Creative and Performing Arts" sector sees over 67,000 qualifications awarded annually.
- Industry Market Size: Film and high-end television production spend reached £5.6 Billion in 2024, a 31% increase from the previous year.
Top Film Schools
National Film and Television School (NFTS)
Located in Beaconsfield, NFTS is widely considered the best film school in the UK. It operates like a working studio with full-scale stages, and its alumni (including Roger Deakins) dominate the British industry.
London Film School (LFS)
Situated in Covent Garden, LFS is an international conservatory focusing on craft excellence. It is known for a practical Master's program where students work on multiple films, often maintaining a strong independent sensibility.
🇦🇺 Australia
Australia has become a "go-to" destination for international productions due to its diverse locations, favorable tax incentives, and high-quality crews.
- Annual Feature Films Produced: ~84 (2024).
- Film Schools: ~20 specialized institutions.
- Film Students: The screen industry is robust, with "Creative Arts" enrollments remaining popular across the university sector.
- Industry Market Size: The industry hit a record $2.7 Billion AUD in expenditure in 2024/25, driven by a surge in international productions.
Top Film Schools
Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS)
Located in Sydney, AFTRS is the national screen arts school. It is the gold standard for Australian film education, with state-of-the-art facilities and close ties to national broadcasters.
Victorian College of the Arts (University of Melbourne)
Based in Melbourne, the VCA offers a highly regarded film and television program that encourages a strong personal voice and directorial vision.
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Despite its small population, New Zealand punches above its weight, famous for Lord of the Rings and technological innovation via Weta FX.
- Annual Feature Films Produced: Approx. 10–15 domestic features (plus major international service productions like Minecraft).
- Film Schools: 4 major universities offering filmmaking courses, plus specialized private providers.
- Film Students: The "Arts and Creative" sector employs over 117,000 people, a testament to the country's focus on the creative economy.
- Industry Market Size: The screen sector contributes approximately $1.1 Billion NZD to the country's GDP annually.
Top Film Schools
Victoria University of Wellington
Located in "Wellywood," this university offers strong connections to the local industry (including Weta Workshop). The Miramar Creative Centre offers unrivaled access to world-class production facilities.
University of Auckland
The country's largest university offers a rigorous Media and Screen Studies program, combining critical analysis with production courses that feed into Auckland's commercial industry.