Paco Luna
Acting Scholarship

 

Latin America

 

VFS celebrates last year's recipient, Paco Luna, with a 2024 Acting scholarship in his name.

 

Vancouver Film School (VFS) is offering a scholarship fund to Latin American students to enrol in our industry-leading Acting programs. In the continued tradition of our Latin American Acting Scholarship, VFS celebrates last year's recipient, Paco Luna. This scholarship is for aspiring actors who are looking to turn their passion for the craft into an industry career. A previous recipient of VFS’s Jack Duarte Acting Scholarship, Paco is a graduate of our Acting for Film & Television program and has since built a successful career in Mexico and a dominant force on social media with over 1 million followers. Now, Paco champions our 2024 Latin American Acting Scholarship.

 

 

 

"Studying at VFS was a unique experience that made me grow on a giant scale as an actor and as a person. Now, I am happy to be part of this opportunity to give young talent from Latin America the chance to live this beautiful and enriching experience."

Paco Luna

Acting for Film & Television Graduate
Surviving My Quinceañera, Ringo

 


 

Scholarship Details

VFS is pleased to offer the following:

  • A maximum of three (3) full-tuition (100%) scholarships for VFS’s Acting for Film & Television program (12 months)
  • A maximum of six (6) half-tuition (50%) scholarships for VFS’s Acting for Film & Television program (12 months)
  • A maximum of three (3) full-tuition (100%) scholarships for VFS’s Acting Essentials preparatory program (4 months)

 

Application deadline: October 15, 2024, at 11 p.m. CDT
Finalist callbacks (Mexico/Brazil/Colombia - to be confirmed): November 13 – 17, 2024
Winners announced: November 17, 2024

 

*Applicants must be Latin American residents, hold a Latin American passport (students holding a temporary resident permit are eligible) and be at least 19 years of age or have graduated high school at the time of application.

*Applicants who have applied for VFS Acting scholarships within the past four years are not eligible to apply.

*Shortlisted finalists will be notified by November 8, 2024, and must attend the Finalist Callbacks held in Mexico City, Brazil, and Colombia from November 13-17, 2024; locations to be confirmed.

 

Apply Now

 

 

About Paco Luna

VFS Pacoluna scholarship bioVFS Pacoluna imdb

Paco is a versatile actor, singer, and dancer originally from Torreon Coahuila. He began his studies with Spanish Actor/Director Xerardo Moscoso in 2008, later enrolling at the Televisa Eugenio Cobo Education Center in 2015. In 2023, Paco won VFS’s Jack Duarte Acting Scholarship and moved to Vancouver for the 1-year intensive Acting for Film & Television program. After successfully graduating, Paco headed back to Mexico, now ready to perform in both Spanish and English and has since been offered a multitude of opportunities in film, television, and theatre.

VFS Pacoluna posters

VFS Pacoluna scholarship galleryVFS Pacoluna scholarship gallery

Online Workshop: Preparing Your Audition Tape

All applicants will need to submit an audition tape as part of their application. Need advice on how to record a great audition? VFS is running an online workshop on Tuesday, August 27 to help you prepare the perfect audition. Hosted by VFS Acting Head Omari Newton, Senior Instructor Jennifer Clement, and Paco Luna himself, you’ll acquire the fundamentals of the self-tape (a must-have for an actor’s skillset), learn about our Acting Essentials and Acting for Film & Television programs, hear directly from Paco about his VFS journey and his life as a professional actor, and gain important insight into the business of acting.
 

*Attending this workshop is mandatory for those wishing to apply. However, attendance does not constitute an application. You must still submit a complete application, as outlined below. 
 

Register Here

About Vancouver Film School

Located in one of the world’s largest creative hubs, Vancouver Film School (VFS) is Canada’s premier post-secondary entertainment arts institution. VFS offers a world-class Acting curriculum taught by a faculty of industry professionals who are dedicated to perfecting your acting skillset for film, television, commercials, voice acting and performance capture work. Past Acting graduates have worked on top industry projects, including Killers of the Flower Moon, The White Lotus, and The Last of Us.

In 2023, alumni were credited on 8 of the top 10 domestic grossing films, 7 of the 10 best-selling games, and 8 of the 10 most streamed shows, in a global entertainment industry valued at over US$2.3 trillion. VFS is recognized as a Leading Canadian Acting School (Casting Workbook) and a Leading Film School in North America (Variety) & Worldwide (The Hollywood Reporter), amongst other accolades.

Downtown Vancouver

Scholarship Information

 

 

Vancouver Film School (VFS) is offering Latin American students the opportunity to earn a scholarship and study at Canada’s premier post-secondary entertainment arts institution.

 

VFS is offering the following:

  • A maximum of three (3) full-tuition (100%) scholarships for VFS’s Acting for Film & Television program (12 months)
  • A maximum of six (6) half-tuition (50%) scholarships for VFS’s Acting for Film & Television program (12 months)
  • A maximum of three (3) full-tuition (100%) scholarships for VFS’s Acting Essentials preparatory program (4 months)

You must complete the following to apply:

  1. A short self-tape audition that meets the Content Requirements (see below). Your audition must be specifically created for VFS and must be clearly identified as such. For tips & advice on how to record a great audition, watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STwvCEoIbqs and/or attend our free online audition workshop at the end of August (date to be confirmed). Pre-register here to reserve your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com.mx/e/953837392317?aff=oddtdtcreator.
    Once your audition is complete, upload the file to a video hosting site (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) then copy/paste the share link in the application form.

    Note: When sharing, set the sharing permissions so anyone with the link can view the file/document. If we cannot view your files, your scholarship application will be considered incomplete.

     

    Content Requirements:

    Your audition includes two pieces: a one-minute monologue and a one-minute short scene. Your final audition may not exceed six minutes in length. In the video, you must:

    • State your name.
    • Perform a contemporary monologue in less than one minute.
    • Perform a short contemporary scene (applicant should be on camera and the reader off camera) in less than one minute.
    • Optional: provide a maximum one-minute demo of a special skill (i.e. singing, dance, physical action, etc.).
    • Record a short, on-camera interview. Provide answers to the following questions in a maximum of two minutes:
      • Why did you choose your audition pieces?
      • How long have you wanted to act?
      • Who inspired you to pursue an acting career?
      • What are your strengths & weaknesses as an actor?
      • If you couldn’t act, what other profession would you pursue?

    Note:

    • All components of the audition must be contained in one file – no additional tapes or recorded material will be considered.
    • Applications will not be judged based on the production quality of the tape.
    • We suggest using a simple digital camera or handycam to shoot your audition video and that you have your device positioned horizontally (landscape). No editing is required.

     

  2. A completed application form.
  3. A clear copy of a government-issued photo ID indicating your date of birth and legal name.
  4. Provide two letters of recommendation that include contact information (phone number(s), e-mail address(es), and relationship to you). References should include comments on your creative ability, work ethic, ability to take criticism, ability to work in a team environment, and previous accomplishments. They can be from anyone who can vouch for your character, provided they are not a family member. This could include an employer, teacher, colleague, etc. 
  5. A resume detailing your work history and education.
  6. Transcripts from any institution you attended within the past five years (copies are acceptable).
  7. Proof of your proficiency in English (if English is not your native language), which can include any of the following:
    1. IELTS (Academic) - Band 6.5 
    2. TOEFL iBT - score of 80
    3. TOEFL PBT - score of 550 
    4. PTE - score of 55+
    5. TOEIC - score of 785
    6. CELPIP- Level 8
    7. B2 First (formerly Cambridge English: First (FCE)) - Grade A
    8. LPI - Level 5
    9. Duolingo - score of 120 or higher
    10. International Baccalaureate (IB) – A final grade of 5 or higher on IB English A1 (English A: Language & Literature) or A2 (English A: Literature) course
    11. Transcripts from an English-speaking high school or an accredited English-speaking post-secondary institution.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Scholarship winners must pay $150 CAD application fee if they accept the scholarship.

IMPORTANT NOTE: These requirements are mandatory, without exception. All documents (except transcript) must be in English and total files cannot exceed 10MB.

 

  • The deadline to apply is October 15, 2024, at 11 p.m. CDT. Late submissions or incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Individuals who have applied for previous VFS Acting scholarships within the past four years are not eligible to reapply (i.e., the Jennifer Clement, Jack Duarte, Damian Alcázar scholarships).
  • All scholarships are eligible only for the following start dates: March 3, 2025May 5, 2025, or June 30, 2025Please note seats are subject to availability. Once the winner is notified, seat availability for the selected start date must be confirmed.
  • Applicants must be Latin American residents (with a valid passport), at least 19 years old, and have graduated high school on or after 2018.
  • Pre-selected finalists will be notified by November 8, 2024, and must present themselves in person or remotely for the Finalist Callbacks that will be held in Mexico City, Brazil, Colombia; the audition dates are November 13-17, 2024; locations to be confirmed.
  • All materials supplied with the application will not be returned.
  • Scholarships cover only tuition costs. The applicant must cover travel & living expenses including flights, accommodation, meals and international insurance (assess approximate cost of living in Canada). Given the intensive nature of VFS's programs, it's unrealistic for you to work while studying at VFS.
  • If selected, the applicant must cover their flight, accommodation, meals and international insurance (assess approximate cost of living in Canada). Given the intensive nature of VFS's programs, it's unrealistic for you to work while studying at VFS.
  • If selected, the applicant must pay an the $150 VFS application fee.
  • If any selected winner(s) cannot commit to attending VFS for any reason within a week of being notified that they have been selected to receive a scholarship, another scholarship winner(s) will be chosen.
  • Applicants who have already been accepted into a VFS program can apply for this scholarship; however, this scholarship must be used singularly and cannot be used in combination with any other bursary or scholarship already received. Previous VFS applicants must re-submit their application with a completed scholarship application form.
  • In accepting this scholarship, the applicant agrees to become a social ambassador for Vancouver Film School. This includes social media posts and possible video testimonials of your experience during your time at VFS and your successes as VFS alumni.
  • All committee decisions are final and irrefutable.
  • Winners will be announced on November 17, 2024.
  • VFS reserves the right to cancel the scholarship if there are less than thirty (30) total applicants.
  • One (1) full-tuition (100%) scholarship for Acting for Film & Television, one (1) full-tuition (100%) scholarship for Acting Essentials, and two (2) half-tuition (50%) scholarships for Acting for Film & Television will be awarded per every 30 applicants up to the maximum listed above.
  • All committee decisions are final and irrefutable.
  • Vancouver Film School reserves the right to cancel this competition at any time, at its sole discretion, in the event of any administrative conflict or error. Vancouver Film School reserves the right to modify the rules of this contest in any way or at any time as long as reasonable notice is given. This competition is void where prohibited by law and is subject to all applicable Federal, Provincial, State, and local laws and regulations.
  • Acceptance of a scholarship allows Vancouver Film School to use your name, photograph or likeness and testimonials in print, broadcast, or online media in perpetuity, in any manner in which VFS may deem appropriate in connection with promoting this competition or any other competition or promotion sponsored by VFS, without further compensation.
  • By participating in this competition, you agree that Vancouver Film School, members of the Selection Committee and those involved in the development, production, implementation and distribution of this competition and their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, service providers, and agencies and their directors, officers, agents, employees, attorneys, and any other person or entity associated with such entities and/or this compassion (hereafter collectively called the “Sponsors”) are not liable for any claims, damages, losses or injuries, including third party claims, arising from or relating to, in whole or in part, this competition, including your entry and participation in this competition, the submission of your application package, the evaluation of your application package, acceptance, use or misuse of the scholarship or any injury to you or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from downloading or receiving via return e-mail any part of this competition information.
  • You further agree that you will not hold Vancouver Film School, their affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, agents, employees, attorneys, and any other person or entity associated with Vancouver Film School liable for any claims, losses, damages or injuries, arising from or relating to their use of your name or address for mailing and any other promotional materials. You also agree that in the event of any third-party claims, damages, losses or injuries arising from or relating to this competition, you will indemnify Sponsors from any and all such claims, including the attorney’s fees related thereto. Sponsors shall not be liable for applications that are delayed, lost, misdelivered, marked postage-due, illegible, mutilated, incorrect or incomplete and such entries will not be eligible for this competition.
  • This scholarship has no cash value.

 

If you have any questions regarding this scholarship announcement, please contact:

 

Claudia Cruz Trevilla 
International Recruitment & Strategic Partnerships Specialist
Vancouver Film School

E. ccruz@vfs.com

Our normal business hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CDT.

 

Questions about this scholarship?

Go to the FAQ

 

 

 

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