Named after S. A. Gerasimov, the film school began in 1919 and is the first and oldest film school in the world. During the period of the Soviet Union, it was a requirement of the state to attend VGIK in order to be allowed to direct a film. The institute has an impressive alumni, with renowned filmmakers such as Sergei Eisenstein, Andrei Tarkovsky and Alexander Sokurov all studying there.

Its work in the early years was restrained by the shortage of film stock, forcing classes to be taught around the art of montage; the institute would import random film rolls for the students of the school to cut and edit back together, forming new meanings through montage. Nowadays, the campus is still functioning, teaching classes in directing, screenwriting and cinematography. However, its renowned reputation has kept up with itself, with an acceptance rate of below 10%.