Founded in 1972, ESRA is a renowned French film school offering internationally recognized programs in filmmaking. The degrees are accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education, ensuring academic excellence and professional relevance. ESRA International provides a Filmmaking Bachelor program in Paris and Cannes, a Filmmaking MFA in Paris, a One year Filmmaking program in NYC, USA and one month immersive summer programs in each cities. These programs combine creative practice with technical expertise, welcoming students from around the world to explore the art of cinema in the heart of France and in NYC.
The Filmmaking Bachelor's degree program offered in English in Paris and Cannes is spread over three years and is made up of theoretical courses, technical workshops, film productions and internships.
The first two years constitute a common core to allow students to discover all audiovisual professions. In the third year, students must choose one option among those offered, which represent so many professional opportunities: Directing, Cinematography, Editing and Visual Effects, and Production.
The Filmmaking MFA degree program (postgraduate) is specialized in Screenwriting and Directing and is made up of practical workshops, theoretical lectures and film and TV productions leading to a professional short film production.
international.esra.edu
The Filmmaking Bachelor's degree program offered in English in Paris and Cannes is spread over three years and is made up of theoretical courses, technical workshops, film productions and internships.
The first two years constitute a common core to allow students to discover all audiovisual professions. In the third year, students must choose one option among those offered, which represent so many professional opportunities: Directing, Cinematography, Editing and Visual Effects, and Production.
The Filmmaking MFA degree program (postgraduate) is specialized in Screenwriting and Directing and is made up of practical workshops, theoretical lectures and film and TV productions leading to a professional short film production.
International Filmmaking programs in Paris - ESRA International
Study Abroad at ESRA Film School in Paris. Filmmaking programs in English for international students : 1 year and 3 year programs as well as summer programs
international.esra.edu
- Undergraduate Application Requirements
- No Letters of Recommendation Required
- Undergrad Transcripts (for Transfer applicants)
- TOEFL / IELTS (International Only)
- Personal Essay / Statement of Purpose
- Portfolio Not Required
- Portfolio List
- Creative Samples
- Resume/CV
- Undergrad Application Fee
- $75
- International App. Fee
- $75
- Minimum High School GPA
- None
- Minimum Test Scores
- 120/200
More Info on Undergraduate Application Requirements:
Filmmaking Bachelor program - ESRA International
ESRA International offers a state recognized International Filmmaking Bachelor program in Paris and Cannes.
international.esra.edu
- Graduate Application Requirements
- TOEFL / IELTS (International Only)
- Personal Essay / Statement of Purpose
- Cover Letter
- Resume/CV
- Video Statement / Recorded Introduction
- Portfolio Not Required
- Portfolio List
- Visual Samples
- Creative Samples
- Writing Samples
- Interview Required
- Graduate Application Fee
- $75
- Minimum Undergrad GPA
- None
More Info on Graduate Application Requirements:
Postgraduate MFA Filmmaking program - ESRA International
ESRA Film School offers a state recognized Postgraduate International Filmmaking program in Paris specialized in Screenwriting and Directing.
international.esra.edu
Quick Facts
Total Undergrad Student Body:
100
Total Graduate Student Body:
25
Undergraduate Entering Cohort Size:
35
Graduate Entering Cohort Size:
25
Deadlines, Decisions, & Enrollment
Undergraduate Deadlines:
Appplications are opened from October 1st to September 20th the next year.
Graduate Deadlines:
Appplications are opened from October 1st to September 20th the next year.
Notification of Decision:
each months
Students Receiving Aid:
30%
Average Scholarship Amount:
$1,500
Graduation Rate:
92%
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Tuition & Cost of Attendance Details:
12 200 € / year
international.esra.edu
Dates & Fees - ESRA International
Dates and Fees of our Filmmaking programs in English in Paris ! One and three year programs and Summer programs dates and fees.
international.esra.edu
Scholarships
Scholarship Opportunities Detailed:
The school offers school scholarships to 25% of its students, these scholarships can reduce tuition fees up to 50%. The school also offers industry companies scholarships based on applications called ESRA Talents. As the diplomas are recognized by the Ministry of higher education, students benefit from national scholarships (crous) as well as reduction on housing fees (APLs)
Copyrights & Production
Copyright Ownership:
Student owns all copyrights
Start of Production Classes (Undergraduate):
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fourth Year
Cycle & Thesis Film Details:
One movie per year, one graduation fictional short movie of 15' minutes with professional equipment and specifications.
Equipment Access
Equipment Checkout Access:
Standard Business Hours Only
Equipment Access Tiers:
Entry-level gear for lower-class; advanced gear for upper-class
Mandatory Equipment & Lab Fees:
Included in Tuition
Production Insurance Coverage:
Full Blanket Coverage
Facilities
Filmmaking Facilities:
ADR / Foley Stage
Color Correction Suites
Private Editing Suites
Green Screen Studio
LED Wall / Virtual Production Volume
Screening Rooms
Sound Mixing Suites
Sound Recording Studio(s)
Sound Stage(s)
TV Studio
VFX / Animation Labs
Facilities & Equipment Details:
Each school is equipped with a large number of technical rooms equipped with state of the art sound recording and mixing (stereo, atmos) setups, editing and color grading rooms with the latest mac studio computers and full softwares, connected to Avid servers. In school film sets and a professional movie theater (located near the eiffel tower in paris) for lectures, jurys, screenings and masterclasses.
Cameras & Equipment
Camera Types Available:
Professional Camcorders
Digital Cinema Cameras
High-End Digital Cinema Cameras
Camera Brands Available:
ARRI
Canon
Nikon
Sony
Lens Access:
Mixed / Entry-Level Kits
Lighting & Grip Equipment Available:
Professional LED Systems (Modern, high-output color-controllable fixtures and tube lights)
Studio Lighting Grid (Fixed overhead lighting systems in a soundstage environment)
Standard Grip Package (Stands, flags, nets, sandbags, and mounting hardware)
Advanced Rigging Support (Specific hardware for vehicle mounts, wall-busters, or complex rigging)
Manual Camera Movement (Dollies, track, and sliders)
Gimbal / Electronic Stabilizers (Handheld 3-axis electronic stabilizers)
Software Taught
Editing & Finishing Software Taught:
Adobe Premiere Pro
DaVinci Resolve
Final Cut Pro
VFX, Motion & 3D Software Taught:
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Creative Cloud
Autodesk Maya / 3ds Max
Blender
Nuke
Toon Boom Harmony
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
Z Brush
Audio Post Software Taught:
Audition
Pro Tools
iZotope RX
Melodyne
Writing & Production Software Taught:
Movie Magic Budgeting
Movie Magic Scheduling
Internship Opportunities
Internship Opportunities:
Career Services Support
Internships for Academic Credit
Semester-in-LA / NY Program
Mandatory Internship Program
In-House Internships
Paid Internship Opportunities Available
Global / International Internships
Industry Mentorship Program
Internship Opportunities Detailed:
School offers, internship counceling, resume and job search lectures, a job placement app with 1000 internship offers each years, an online alumni network, job dating days with major companies of the industry. The students must complete 16 weeks of internship to graduate
Career Assistance
Job Placement & Career Services:
Career Development Training
Exclusive Industry Job Board
Annual Film Showcase
On-Campus Industry Recruiting Fairs
Opportunities to pitch projects to real producers/executives)
Alumni Mentorship Program
Festival Strategy Support
Job Placement Assistance Detailed:
Students receive lectures on job placement, have 16 weeks of mandatory internship, a platform with hundreds of offers near them sent directly to the school, access to an alumni database.
Alumni Employment Data
Employment Rate: At Graduation:
85–94%
Employment Rate: 3 Months Post:
85–94%
Employment Rate: 1 Year Post:
85–94%
In-Track Employment (1 Year):
85–94%
Alumni Employment Details:
Alumni Awards
Oscar Nominations:
1–5 (Past 10 years)
Emmy Wins:
1–5 (Past 10 years)
Golden Globe Nominations:
Data Not Tracked (Past 10 years)
Golden Globe Wins:
Data Not Tracked (Past 10 years)
Total Festival Awards:
26–100 (Past 10 years)
Independent Award Nominations:
26–100 (Past 10 years)
Independent Award Wins:
26–100 (Past 10 years)
Notable Alumni Award Highlights:
Yves Darondeau and Emmanuel Priou Oscar 2006 for La marche de l'empereur, Carine Tardieu Cesar 2026 winner for Best Film and Best adaptation for L'attachement, Alexis Feodoroff Emmys Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program for The Beatles Anthology
Alumni Success
Industry Fellowships:
Data Not Tracked (Past 10 years)
Script Sales & Options:
50+ (Past 10 years)
Commercial Credits:
50+ (Past 5 years)
Recent Alumni Credits:
Pierre Morel : DOP and Director (Taken), Romain Lacourbas DOP (John Wick ballerina), Eric Toledano Director (Intouchable), David Charhon (De l'autre côté du périph), Rémi Bezançon (Le premier jour du reste de ta vie)
