Filmmaking Bachelor Program
A degree-granting, 3-year Bachelor program, taught in English, for international students who wish to acquire real versatility and a professional level of expertise in the film and audiovisual industries.
The Filmmaking Bachelor program
The ESRA International BACHELOR FILMMAKING program is structured over three academic years. The first two years form a common core curriculum, designed to give students a comprehensive overview of all audiovisual professions. The third year is dedicated to major, allowing students to define their professional orientation based on their skills, interests, and career goals.
Each student completes over 700 hours of coursework per year, including core curriculum, practical workshops, supervised exercises, and collaborative productions.
The program awards a Bachelor's degree recognized by the French State, certified by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
Majors Offered in third year
Directing
Dedicated to writing, directing for fiction films and audiovisual formats.
Cinematography
Focused on image, light, framing and camera operating.
Production
Focused on the artistic, technical, financial and logistical management of an audiovisual project.
Editing & Post-production
Focus on editing, color grading, visual effects and master delivery.
By the end of the program
You will be able to:
Design, produce and direct an audiovisual project from A to Z
Working with multicultural teams on international shoots
Work in production companies, studios, creative agencies or create your own structure
Develop scripts for film, television or digital platforms
Master the tools, techniques and professional languages of the film and audiovisual industries
Join an international alumni network of 15 000+ industry professionals including internationally aclaimed filmmakers
Get started now
Why choose ESRA Filmmaking Bachelor program ?
Exceptional employment rate
85% of graduates employed one year after graduation
Student Film
purchased
by TF1 !
A campus
combining all audiovisual professions Film, Sound and Animation
Networking events
for students all year round!
ESRA Ranked 1st French private film school
Le Figaro ranked ESRA as the top private school in 2025 in an independent ranking, reflecting the high employment rate of our graduates, their recognition within the industry, and the quality of our equipment and teaching staff.
Start your journey today
Imagine having the combined knowledge of an entire professional film crew, anytime you needed it.
- 700+ Hours of Educational Training
- Structured, Guided Career Paths
- Degree granting programs
- Join a 15000+ Alumni Community
- Exclusive Premium Masterclasses all year long
- Professional film set Experience
- Build a strong portfolio of short films
...and much more. Unlock the complete ecosystem designed to build your film career.
Turn the ordinary into something remarkable. Notice every subtle detail. And carry your vision through with unwavering discipline.
What happens after ESRA ?
Our alumni work with companies such as Gaumont, Pathé, Canal+, Netflix, TF1, FTV, RMC, BFM, WEBEDIA, TRANSPAMEDIA, as well as independent studios and production companies.
A school available to everyone :
Apply for esra scholarships !
Studying at ESRA means accessing excellent training in the fields of film, sound, and 3D animation. And it's also possible without financial obstacles.
ESRA offers scholarships and payment plans with the school and partner banks.
Contact us to learn more about financial aid.
Campuses
ESRA Film School offers International programs in 4 campuses :
Paris, Cannes, Brussels and New York City.
ESRA Paris
ESRA Cannes
ESRA Brussels
ESRA New York
Start your journey today
Download the brochure, receive information about the school and alumni, invitation to webinars, programs updates and much more. Apply now and join the ESRA community !
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 ISTS 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 Director
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
student movies
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 join ESRA ?
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
ESRA has multiple housing partners offering a range of other housing solutions throughout the city. See visa and housing page.
ESRA accompanies admitted students in their visa and housing processes. Request a meeting and find out more !
How much does ESRA 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 Ministry of Higher Education and Research, and for housing subsidies.
What equipment is available at ESRA ?
Each ESRA campus has post-production and multi-station rooms equipped with powerful computers and the latest dedicated softwares, whether for film, sound or animation. In addition, each campus has an equipment shop 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 for students to train with outside of class hours all year round. This is one of the school's strong points.
What is ESRA International Film 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 can join ESRA Filmmaking Programs ?
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.
Apply now !
Studying abroad is much easier when prepared early, apply now and benefit from ESRA exclusive housing offers and quicker visa process. Request more information to the admissions officer !