University Programs

The university offers a range of programs in the field of audiovisual arts, including:

• ESRA Cinema: a 3-year Bachelor's degree granting diploma in film and television.
• ESRA Sound: a 3-year Bachelor's degree granting program in sound, music, film, and video games, radio, and sound for events.
• ESRA Animation: a 3-year Bachelor's degree granting program in 3D animation.
• Bachelor Filmmaking: a 3-year Bachelor's degree granting diploma in film and television, taught in English.
• DHEC Screenwriting and Directing: a 2-year diploma course in writing and directing for film and television.
• DHEC Production and Distribution: a 2-year diploma course in film production and distribution.
• MFA Filmmaking: a 2-year MFA degree granting program in writing and directing for film and television, taught in English.
• ESRA New York: a 1-year training course in English for film and sound professions.
• ESRA Junior: introductory audiovisual workshops for high school students in July.
• Professional Programs: long and short programs to retrain or specialize in audiovisual professions.

Program Details

MFA Filmmaking

The MFA Filmmaking program is an intensive 2-year postgraduate degree program accessible after a Bachelor's degree or Bac+3, taught entirely in English. The program combines film culture, film history, film analysis, and intensive practice in camera, optics, lighting, writing, directing, and acting.

Program Highlights

• A teaching staff drawn from the professional world
• Screenwriting: in-depth study of writing techniques for film and series
• Directing: learn practical methods of directing, directing actors, technical breakdown, and stage management
• Shooting with professional equipment
• Introduction to post-production: editing, color grading, and finalization
• Introduction to scenario and AI analysis tools

Career Prospects

Graduates of the MFA Filmmaking program can pursue careers as:

• Screenwriter
• Assistant Director
• Director
• Showrunner
• Writing coordinator

Admissions

The admission process involves submitting an application on the platform, choosing an exam date, and taking the tests. Admissions committees meet every month. If accepted, students can pre-register as early as November.

The School

The school has several campuses, including ESRA Paris, ESRA Côte d'Azur, ESRA Brittany, ESRA Brussels, and ESRA New York. The school is committed to inclusion, diversity, ecology, CSR, ethics, and quality charter. It also has partnerships with various companies and organizations.

Resources

The school provides various resources, including student films, alumni news, and job profiles. It also hosts events and open days for prospective students.

Overview:

ESRA (École Supérieure de Réalisation Audiovisuelle) is France's leading private film and audiovisual school, founded in 1972. Ranked number one among film schools recommended by industry professionals according to the Figaro 2025 ranking, ESRA has spent over 50 years training the talent behind France's most recognized film, television, sound and animation productions.

ESRA is a family-run institution led by the Azoulay family across three generations, with a long-term commitment to each cohort of students. The school continuously adapts its curriculum to keep pace with industry evolutions, including the growing impact of artificial intelligence on production workflows.

Alumni track record

More than 15,000 audiovisual professionals have graduated from ESRA since 1972. The alumni network includes over 55 César nominations, 1 Oscar, 2 Grammy Awards, and selections at the Festival de Cannes and the Venice Film Festival (Mostra). ESRA alumni have worked on productions for Canal+, Arte and TF1, contributed sound work on recordings by Daft Punk, Beyoncé, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar and Orelsan, and produced VFX and animation for major international productions.

Accreditation and recognition

All initial training programs at ESRA are recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Undergraduate programs are validated at Bac+3 level (equivalent to a Bachelor's degree), and master's-level programs at Bac+5. ESRA holds Qualiopi certification for all professional training courses. The school is also part of the Erasmus+ program and its international programs are recognized by the People's Republic of China.

ESRA is the first ARRI-certified school in France, meaning students train on the same professional camera systems used on actual productions worldwide.

Campuses

ESRA operates across five campuses in France and Europe, each fully equipped with professional-grade production and post-production facilities:

• Paris: in the heart of the French capital
• Côte d'Azur: between Nice and Cannes, at the heart of the southern French film industry
• Bretagne: in Rennes, in a dynamic regional creative hub
• Bruxelles: in the European capital, under the Brussels campus
• New York: in Manhattan, offering English-language film and sound programs

Every campus is equipped with multi-station post-production suites, a professional camera inventory including Sony FS7, Sony F55 and ARRI ALEXA 35 cameras, recording equipment, microphones, portable computers, and the latest versions of industry-standard software for cinema, sound and animation.

Three fields of specialization

• Cinema and television: directing, producing, editing
• Sound and music: audiovisual sound, live sound reinforcement, music recording, radio and video game audio
• 3D animation: animation, compositing, VFX, modeling, and production management for film and television

International reach

Since 2019, ESRA has offered English-language programs open to students from around the world. These programs carry State recognition and are equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in countries including the United States, Australia and across Europe. Notable international partnerships include collaboration with MBC Group (a major Middle Eastern media group) to train young Saudi professionals, a partnership with Parsons The New School for Design since 2022, and an official partnership with the Beijing Film Academy formalized in November 2024.

Commitments and values

• Inclusion and equal opportunity: 25% of students receive bursaries each year, supported by an active scholarship policy worth over 100,000 euros annually; students are also eligible for CROUS grants and housing aid
• Gender parity and diversity: ESRA supports the Collectif 50/50 for gender parity in the audiovisual industry and Divé+, an association founded by alumni to promote diversity on screen and behind the camera
• Ecology: ESRA is a member of EcoProd, integrates carbon footprint measurement tools into production training, and conducts an annual carbon audit in partnership with Greenly; the school recycles over 400 kg of waste per year through Les Joyeux Recycleurs
• Social engagement: since 2017, students have made films with children in care homes, with screenings held at the Grand Rex in Paris
• Quality and ethics: Qualiopi-certified for professional training; signatory of the CPF Ethics Charter in partnership with Les Acteurs de la Compétence

Student life and events

Throughout the academic year, ESRA organizes masterclasses with leading French and international filmmakers, screenings with César-nominated directors, the 48h ESRA filmmaking challenge, a student cinema club, ESRADIO (a student radio station), and an annual student film showcase. Student work has been broadcast on TF1 and screened at international festivals.

Professional training

Beyond initial degree programs, ESRA offers a full range of professional continuing education through its DIXIT department, covering career transitions, software and equipment certification, and advanced specialist training for industry professionals.

Why ESRA

1. France's top-ranked film school by industry professionals, according to the Figaro 2025 ranking
2. State-recognized diplomas at Bac+3 and Bac+5, eligible for CROUS grants and housing support
3. The only ARRI-certified school in France, with professional-grade equipment on every campus
4. A network of over 15,000 alumni active across film, television, music, animation and VFX
5. Five campuses in France and Europe, plus a New York campus in Manhattan
6. Programs in both French and English, with international recognition including China
7. A family-run institution with a 50-year track record of adapting to industry change