how does the Gerasimov Institute operate now?

VGIK is the world’s oldest film school founded in 1919 by Lev Kuleshov and Vladimir Gardin, outstanding Russian filmmakers. It’s the oldest film school in the world. ‘More recently, its alumni were drawn both from the USSR (Soviet Union) and from other socialist and other countries, though it was a requirement for students to first learn Russian prior to attending. It is among the few film schools which offer scriptwriting courses.’