University Programs

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

ESRA Cinéma

• A 3-year diploma program in cinema and television
• Covers the fundamentals of filmmaking, including narration, directing, and production

ESRA Son

• A 3-year diploma program in sound, music, cinema, and video game production
• Focuses on the technical aspects of sound design and music production for film and television

ESRA Animation

• A 3-year diploma program in 3D animation for cinema and television
• Covers the principles of animation, including storytelling, character design, and visual effects

Bachelor Filmmaking

• A 3-year diploma program in filmmaking
• Provides a comprehensive education in filmmaking, including screenwriting, directing, and editing

DHEC Scénario & Réalisation

• A 2-year master's program in screenwriting and directing
• Focuses on the development of screenplays and the direction of films

DHEC Production & Distribution

• A 2-year master's program in film production and distribution
• Covers the business aspects of film production, including financing, marketing, and distribution

MFA Filmmaking

• A 2-year master's program in filmmaking
• Provides advanced training in filmmaking, including screenwriting, directing, and editing

ESRA New York

• A 1-year program in cinema and sound
• Offers a comprehensive education in filmmaking and sound design

ESRA Junior

• A summer program for high school students
• Introduces students to the basics of filmmaking and audiovisual production

Admission Requirements

• Admission to the programs is based on a competitive selection process
• Applicants must submit a portfolio of their work and participate in an interview

Tuition Fees

• The tuition fees vary depending on the program and the student's nationality
• Scholarships and financial aid are available to eligible students

Research Areas

• The university has a strong research focus in the areas of cinema, audiovisual, and film animation
• Faculty members are actively involved in research projects and collaborate with industry partners

International Partnerships

• The university has partnerships with international institutions and industry partners
• Students have the opportunity to participate in exchange programs and collaborate with international students and professionals

Campus Locations

• The university has campuses in Paris, Nice, Cannes, Rennes, Brussels, and New York
• Each campus offers a unique learning environment and access to industry professionals and facilities

Alumni Network

• The university has a strong alumni network
• Graduates have gone on to work in the film and television industry, and many have won awards and recognition for their work

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