James Franco to teach film at NYU

James Franco has signed up to teach a class at New York University.

The Oscar-nominated 127 Hours actor will lead a third-year graduate class on directing at the Tisch School of the Arts, reports the New York Post.

Franco, who is currently an MFA candidate at NYU, will instruct students on adapting poetry into short films.

"He's here to teach because he really knows something about directing that he can share with our students," John Tintori, chair of the Tisch graduate film programme, said about Franco.

Tintori added: "He's incredibly prolific, and that comes from a real work ethic - and that's another thing to impart to our students."

The course will be available to a maximum of 12 students.

Franco's films are also the subject of an editing class at Columbia College Hollywood called, 'Master Class: Editing James Franco... With James Franco'.

The 32-year-old will next be seen in in the comedy Your Highness, opening April 8 in US cinemas.

The Pineapple Express star recently helmed a short film based on songs from REM's new LP.