In this 4-week course, students will explore various transitional spaces in Mexico City and its surroundings to create a series of experimental short films that reflect on the evolving nature of these environments, their impact on local communities, and the broader socio-environmental phenomena at play.
The Wintersession Travel Course 2026 application will open on August 15, 2025 and close on October 1, 2025. The opportunity to apply for scholarship is embedded in the course application.
Course Dates: Jan 3, 2026 — Feb 1, 2026
Minimum 2.5 GPA required. First year students are eligible for this course with approval from their dean, collected within the application.
Estimated cost—final cost to be announced.
Includes accommodation, some group meals, field trips, local transportation, museum entrances, health and travel insurance. Airfare is not included.
Working in teams and guided by faculty and guest artists, students will engage in the complete process of creating an experimental short film, from initial ideation to final screening. The course will feature workshops on video recording, sound recording, video editing, sound design, and color correction. In addition, it integrates a decolonial and feminist framework, explored through curated readings and discussions (refer to readings selections below). Students will explore various sites collaboratively, while each team develops their own film independently. Low-budget and DIY devices will be encouraged as creative tools, allowing students to reflect on the distinctions between cinema as art and cinema as industry. Continuous feedback from faculty and invited critics will support students throughout their creative journey. Additionally, invited artists and filmmakers will share their work, providing valuable insights. The course will include an analysis of experimental, hybrid and art film genres, such as sensory ethnography, docufiction, ethnofiction, video essays, and expanded cinema. Finally, students will present their completed projects in a public screening and will put together a critical essay about their work.
The entire application process will be completed using an online application portal. You will be able to upload, request and submit all required documents there. Apply to a Wintersession Travel Course
The Wintersession Travel Course 2026 application will open on August 15, 2025 and close on October 1, 2025. The opportunity to apply for scholarship is embedded in the course application.
View detailsIf you are a RISD or Brown University student with a GPA of 2.5 and up, you are eligible to apply. Permission of the instructor is required and is based upon application and selection.
RISD reserves the right to cancel a course due to under-enrollment or for reasons related to health and safety.
Requesting to withdraw from a RISD global learning program, including Wintersession Travel Courses, prior to the start of the course is highly discouraged and requires a formal process outlined in the RISD course withdrawal policy.
Have questions? The RISD Global team is available to meet for a 1:1 advising session. We can give you more information about your study options, help you figure out which program makes sense for you, and assist you with the application process.
Schedule an AppointmentNo upcoming events for this program at this time.
No announcements for this program.