University Programs

The university offers a range of programs in the field of cinema, audiovisual, and film animation.

Post-Bac Programs

• ESRA Cinéma: A 3-year diploma program in cinema and television.
• ESRA Son: A 3-year diploma program in sound, music, cinema, and video game.
• ESRA Animation: A 3-year diploma program in 3D animation for cinema and television.
• Bachelor Filmmaking: A 3-year diploma program in cinema and television.

Post-Bac+3 Programs

• DHEC Scénario & Réalisation: A 2-year diploma program in screenplay writing and directing for cinema and television.
• DHEC Production & Distribution: A 2-year diploma program in production and distribution for cinema.
• MFA Filmmaking: A 2-year diploma program in English in screenplay writing and directing for cinema and television.
• ESRA New York: A 1-year program in English in cinema and sound.

Professional Training

• Professional training programs for those looking to switch careers or specialize in the audiovisual industry.

Specific Training

• ESRA Junior: Summer internship programs for high school students.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

• The admission process includes a competition, pre-admission, and parallel admissions.
• Diplomas and Parcoursup platform are used for admissions.

Accessibility

• The university provides accessibility services, including accommodations and personalized support.

Scholarships and Mobility

• The university offers scholarships and financing solutions.
• ESRA Talents: A program to reveal inspiring careers and train talents.

International

Internationalization Strategy

• The university has an internationalization strategy that includes partnerships and research projects.

Cooperations

• The university has partnerships with other institutions and companies.

Research

• The university conducts research in various areas, including cinema, audiovisual, and film animation.

Erasmus+

• The university participates in the Erasmus+ program, which allows students to study abroad.

News and Events

News

• The university publishes news and events related to the school and its alumni.

Events

• The university organizes events, including open houses, masterclasses, and film screenings.

School

About Us

• The university has a history and a team of directors.

Commitments

• The university is committed to inclusion, diversity, ecology, and social responsibility.

Partnerships

• The university has partnerships with companies and institutions.

Careers

• The university offers job opportunities for teachers and administrative staff.

Resources

Resources

• The university provides resources, including films made by students, job descriptions, and event calendars.

Alumni Network

• The university has an alumni network that allows graduates to connect with each other.

Career Guides

• The university provides career guides and job descriptions for the audiovisual industry.

VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience)

What is VAE?

• VAE is a process that allows individuals to obtain a diploma or certification based on their professional experience.

Who is VAE for?

• VAE is for anyone who has acquired experience in a particular field, regardless of their age, nationality, or level of education.

Objectives of VAE

• The objective of VAE is to recognize and validate the skills and knowledge acquired through professional experience.

Steps to Follow

1. Information: The candidate receives information about the VAE process and the diploma or certification they wish to obtain.
2. Instruction: The candidate's application is reviewed to determine its admissibility.
3. Constitution of the Dossier: The candidate constitutes a dossier that includes their professional experience, skills, and knowledge.

Diplomas and Certifications

• The university offers various diplomas and certifications through the VAE process, including:
  • Diplôme d'Études Supérieures en Réalisation Audiovisuelle (DESRA)
  • Diplôme d'Études Supérieures des Techniques du Son (DESTS)
  • Diplôme d'Études Supérieures de Film d'Animation (DESFA)
  • Diplôme des Hautes Études Cinématographiques (DHEC)

Cost of VAE

• The cost of VAE includes the instruction of the application, accompaniment, and the jury.

Financing Options

• The VAE process can be financed through various means, including employer financing, OPCO, Pôle Emploi, and CPF.

Individual Leave for VAE

• Candidates can take a leave of absence from work to participate in the VAE process.

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