I taught at the IFS film school in Cologne in November 2010 and had a wonderful time.  Terrific students and engaged faculty.  It was a great experience. The school is expanding its program to include an MA in cooperation with other international film schools.  This would be a fantastic opportunity to have a broadly-based education.  With international co-productions so important in Hollywood, its a way to make the overseas contacts that lead to success.  Here is the information:

MA Program in Screenwriting

A collaboration between the ifs internationale filmschule köln in Cologne, Germany, the School of Media, Music and Performance at the University of Salford in Manchester, UK, and the Tampere Art and Media School at the University of Applied Sciences in Tampere, Finland.

Program Information:  This program offers writers an environment in which to develop scripts for an international market that are not only innovative, but also commercially viable. The program’s key objective is to strengthen the economic and creative viability of European writers, and offers access to an exclusive European network while encouraging intensive dialogue between students.

Students will complete two feature film scripts during the course of the program. At the end of the program the affiliated institutions will be able to assist with acquiring development and production agreements for suitable scripts for venues such as the Berlin Film Festival, Cannes and, if appropriate, the American Film Market in Los Angeles.

Small groups of a maximum of 8 students work closely with scholars and professionals on their projects. Faculty consists of eminent professionals in the field. In addition to working with their advisors, students will have the opportunity to participate in the events of the ifs Film Studies BA Program, which involves working closely with renowned professionals from around the world including Tom Abrams, Nancy Bishop, David Bordwell, Nick Broomfield, Keith Cunningham, Laurie Hutzler, Phil Parker, and Thomas Schlesinger.

The program will be taught entirely in English. Schedule May 31, 2011 Application deadline June 2011 Selection WS 2011/12 Start of program July 2013 Graduation Application details and more information: http://www.filmschule.de/seiten/sgscreenwriting-prg.aspx