This programme takes a project-led, practice-based collaborative approach. Students choose to make a documentary or fictional film and develop these through workshops and tutorials. Our students work within an integrated framework that questions the form of their film and enables them to find the right language for their storytelling. The programme encourages ways of working that foster the important exchange of ideas, using the most up-to-date equipment. As part of the Skillset Screen Academy in Scotland we also offer mentorship within the industry and ensure that all tutors are top professionals. Many of our students already work in the industry and we aim to encourage a fresh approach to emerging technologies. Over the last few years we have received an Oscar nomination for an MA film made here and an Oscar shortlist for a film made by a recent graduate. We work closely with the Scottish Documentary Institute, the University's internationally-acclaimed research centre in documentary film making. The aim of the Film Directing programmes at ECA is to: challenge boundaries, encourage original thought, and develop intellectual and critical approaches to making films; combine the contemporary energy and discipline of current creative approaches to film practices with the professionalism of industry practices, in order to produce innovative and grounded work; facilitate the interrelationship between different cultural traditions, traditional and emerging screen technologies, and classical and non-traditional cinematic genres and conventions; provide postgraduate education in film making that constitutes a clear progression from undergraduate education whilst maintaining distinctiveness from industrial training- that gives scope for taking risks; foster filmmakers able to work and compete internationally.