✦︎ 1st international film school in France
ESRA International Film School
ESRA International Film School offers filmmaking study abroad programs in Europe and in the United States of America.
1 year New York City Filmmaking program
Applications end JULY 30.
This immersive program, offered in three options (film, sound, animation), prepares students to enter the U.S. market by learning the methods of American industry. Entirely taught in English, it is supervised by working professionals and teachers from prestigious universities, and backed by solid professional partnerships.
Study abroad Filmmaking programs
ESRA International offers degree-granting International Filmmaking programs in Paris and the Côte d’Azur as well as professional training programs in Brussels and New York City.
Postgraduate Filmmaking Program (MFA)
Degree-granting postgraduate program in Film in Paris including professional film productions each year.
BFA in Filmmaking
3 year degree-granting Filmmaking Bachelor program in Paris and Cannes including film productions each year.
One year Filmmaking Program in New York City
Perfect your skills to prepare to enter the professional world of film and television in the USA
Summer programs
Beginner to intermediate summer programs in July to experience a pro-level short film production in a major film capital.
ESRA Film School Recommended by the industry
Discover testimonials from film industry professionnals.
Natasza Chroscicki
ARRI France
We are delighted that ESRA is the first ARRI Certified School in France. It is an honor and a source of satisfaction to know that students will have access to advanced knowledge and technologies, used in the field by professionals, to help them enter the world of filmmaking in the best possible way.
Julien Borde
Mediawan Kids&Family
ESRA stands out in particular for the quality of its animation training, which brilliantly prepares tomorrow's talents for the creative challenges of the world of animation. We are delighted to welcome these passionate and talented young graduates to our productions.
Film school campuses
ESRA Film School offers International Filmmaking programs in 4 campuses :
Paris, Cannes, Brussels and New York City.
ESRA Paris
ESRA Cannes
ESRA Brussels
ESRA New York
start your filmmaking career
Download the brochure, book an online meeting or attend a webinar and get information about events and programs updates.
ESRA Film school factsheet
Real projects
with industry professional instructors
International opportunities
Partner companies worldwide
Powerful network
15.000+ alumni
4 Campuses
Paris, Nice-Cannes, Brussels, New York
52 alumni awards
César, Oscar, Grammy...
Student films
broadcasted on TV (TF1)
JOIN THE BEST FILM SCHOOL IN FRANCE
ESRA ranks first private film and audiovisual schools in France according to Le Figaro Étudiant’s 2025 ranking.
What happens after ESRA ?
What our 15.000+ alumni are saying...
These filmmakers were once where you are: skilled and ambitious, but looking for the path forward. Hear in their own words how the right school and a dedicated community made all the difference.
With great emotion, I remember myself in the first year at ESRA, working on my first projects and meeting such talented people. The student union also contributed so much to us. Thank you to the entire teaching team who always supported my professional project and to all the people who pushed me to be better.
Laurie Cauffet
ESRA filmmaking 2024
Thank you to this incredible graduating class, to Jennifer, to Mr. Bonnot, and to the teachers for their support. We grew together throughout this adventure. I am proud of what we have accomplished. I hope we will meet again in the future, united by our shared passion.
Léa Hué
ESRA filmmaking 2024
ESRA is, above all, about encounters, people who lent me a hand and helped me carry LED panels! It's quite curious to think that chance encounters shape a destiny, especially when you have a taste for cinema and doing things well. I found my path thanks to ESRA.
Romain Guimmara
ESRA filmmaking 2021
Studying at ESRA Paris has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. The program strikes a great balance between theory and practice, while also providing access to top-quality equipment and unique opportunities to create our own projects. Even within my first year, I learned more about the film industry than I had ever expected, and the guidance from professors and resources at the school have been invaluable. I feel grateful for how much I’ve grown both personally and professionally during my time here.
Can Ceylan
ESRA filmmaking 2025
Three years rich in human and professional experience. I had the chance to work with wonderful people and to be well supported. We experienced a real group adventure, with intense projects. Thank you to ESRA and to all those who crossed my path.
Emilien Lelabourier
ESRA filmmaking 2024
Thanks to you, I have grown. I understood who I am. Understood what I wanted to be. All of this allowed me to write my film, "Cette Nuit à Offeu," which would be nothing today without the prodigious advice of some, and the immense will that you all demonstrated during its selection.
François Gaudière
ESRA filmmaking 2024
These years at ESRA have been an exciting immersion. We collaborated, learned, and shared powerful moments. Thank you to everyone I worked with. I found more than just classmates; I found true friends. I am proud of this collective journey.
Mathias Baillou
ESRA filmmaking 2022
One of my fondest memories of ESRA is the equipment available and the fact that I was able to do live TV, which gave me the impression of working for an international channel. It was an experience that taught me how to manage my career as a live TV producer, and how to manage a team of 80 people.
Maxence Carion
ESRA filmmaking 2010
The school allowed me to familiarize myself with professional equipment that is difficult to access outside of a specialized environment. I benefited from both theoretical and practical instruction, supervised by professors and speakers from the industry, in conditions close to the professional world. This training also offered me the opportunity to explore different audiovisual professions, which helped me refine my career choices.
Nathan Hourbeigt
ESRA filmmaking 2024
ESRA insights
2 juillet 2026
ESRA welcomes Sun Lijun, Dean of the School of Animation at the Beijing Film Academy
School News
20 juillet 2026
ESRA Students Arrive in Beijing for Landmark France–China Documentary Exchange
School News
16 juillet 2026
ESRA Paris Launches the Saudi Independent Cinema Salon, A New Platform for Saudi Auteur Cinema in Europe
School News
Got a question ?
Are ESRA degrees recognized ?
Yes, the programs offered by ESRA are recognized by the French Ministry of Education and Research at Bachelor level and at postgraduate level, they give access to French CROUS scholarships, deliver ECTS credits and offer an international academic recognition.
How do I get into the school ?
To become an ESRA student you must submit an application online on the application page, then choose your exam date and take the entrance exam. Admissions committees meet every month. If you are accepted, you can pre-register as early as November.
Does ESRA offer housing ?
In Paris, ESRA has an exclusive partnership with the Cité Universitaire International and offers housing in a state of the art international student residence inside a beautiful park just a few minutes away from the school by the Tramway. Request more information with the admissions officer and book your housing from abroad !
ESRA also has multiple housing partners in each city, offering a range of other housing solutions throughout the city.
How much does school cost ?
Prices for each course are given in the brochures. ESRA grants over 100,000 euros in scholarships and welcomes over 25% of scholarship holders each year. Students are also eligible for CROUS grants, as the degree is recognized by the French government, and for housing subsidies.
What equipment is available on campus?
Each ESRA campus has post-production and multi-station rooms equipped with powerful computers and the latest software, whether for film, sound or animation. In addition, each campus has an equipment room containing a range of cameras, from HD Nikon and Canon to Sony FS7 and F55, and each school has an ARRI ALEXA 35 camera and numerous camera accessories, monitors and so on. They also have a wide range of microphones, recorders, plug-ins and laptops available to students all year round. This is one of the school's strong points.
What is ESRA international School ?
ESRA International Film School is Europe’s leading specialized school to study filmmaking, offering filmmaking programs of excellence since 1972.
Choose from bachelor’s, master’s, and short filmmaking programs tailored for study filmmaking abroad seekers, blending French film heritage with cutting-edge techniques. ESRA Alumni network of 15000+ audiovisual professionals incldues industry leaders as well as award winning filmmakers. The school thrives in Europe’s and American vibrant film scene, making ESRA a top choice among filmmaking schools worldwide.
Who is this filmmaking program for ?
ESRA’s film programs target aspiring filmmakers at different career stages, primarily international students seeking Film programs in English. These programs emphasize hands-on skills in directing, production, and technical roles for cinema and audiovisual industries.
BA in Film
This three-year bachelor’s program suits high school graduates or equivalent (post-baccalauréat level), including French and international students passionate about storytelling. No prior knowledge in Film is necessary to apply.
MFA in Film
The two-year postgraduate MFA targets holders of a bachelor’s degree, focusing on foreign students advancing in screenwriting, directing, and professional short film production. It appeals to those deepening theoretical and practical expertise for global industry integration.
Summer Programs
These two-week intensives draw aspiring filmmakers worldwide, including college students and adults with basic interest but no prior experience required. They offer introductory workshops in screenwriting, directing, cinematography, and editing for immersive, short-term skill-building .
One-Year Filmmaking Programs
Designed for those with some filmmaking background, this intensive suits post-bac or experienced learners seeking core skills in production without a full degree commitment. It targets motivated individuals aiming for quick professional entry in film and TV.
Who are ESRA International Alumni ?
ESRA’s alumni network boasts acclaimed talents like action maestro Pierre Morel (director of Taken, District B13, and From Paris with Love), who shape today’s film, TV, and digital industries worldwide. The school’s extensive LinkedIn alumni database lets you instantly see where graduates work, what roles they hold, and how their careers evolved—making it a powerful tool for networking and inspiration. From major studios and streaming platforms to cutting-edge indie productions, ESRA alumni like Morel are present across the most exciting parts of the industry. A vibrant alumni community keeps connections alive through collaborations, recommendations, and shared opportunities. For current students and recent graduates, this ecosystem acts as both a career accelerator and a creative support network.
Request a brochure and receive more ESRA alumni information.
Interested in film studies ?
Find out more about the school, programs, campuses, facilities, and career paths of ESRA's vibrant global community of filmmakers.
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