History
Since 1944
Foundation
Established in 1944, the Yerevan State Theatre and Film Institute (YSTFI) is a state-accredited higher education institution in Armenia specializing in performing and visual arts. The Institute operates under the authorization of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia.
YSTFI has two regional branches in Vanadzor and Gyumri.
Academic Structure
The Institute comprises three main faculties:
- Faculty of Theatre, offering degree programs in Acting, Directing, Choreography, and Dance;
- Faculty of Film, Television, and Animation, providing programs in Cinema (Film Directing), Cinematography, and Set and TV Design and Scenography;
- Faculty of History, Theory, and Management of Arts, offering programs in Art History, Art Theory and Management, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Screenwriting, and Playwriting.
YSTFI offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs in the fields of theatre, film, and art theory, aligned with the National Qualifications Framework and the Bologna Process.
Accreditation
In 2023, YSTFI successfully underwent institutional accreditation and was granted official state accreditation for a period of four years, confirming its compliance with national quality assurance standards in higher education.
International Engagement
YSTFI is an active member of the international academic and artistic community. Since 2014, it has been a member of the UNESCO Network for Performing Arts and hosted the UNESCO International Conference. The Institute has established cooperation agreements with over 35 international institutions and regularly engages in academic exchange, joint projects, festivals, workshops, and conferences.
The Institute also publishes the peer-reviewed academic journal Handes, which features scholarly research in theatre, cinema, and the arts.