University Programs

The university offers a range of programs in the fields of film, audiovisual, sound, and animation.

Undergraduate Programs

• ESRA Cinema: A 3-year Bachelor's degree granting diploma in film and television.
• ESRA Sound: A 3-year Bachelor's degree granting program in sound, music, film, and video games, radio, and sound for events.
• ESRA Animation: A 3-year Bachelor's degree granting program in 3D animation.
• Bachelor Filmmaking: A 3-year Bachelor's degree granting diploma in film and television.

Post Bachelor's Degree +3

• DHEC Screenwriting and Directing: A 2-year diploma course (M1/M2) in writing and directing for film and television.
• DHEC Production and Distribution: A 2-year diploma course (M1/M2) in film production and distribution.
• MFA Filmmaking: A 2-year MFA degree granting program in writing and directing for film and television.
• ESRA New York: A 1-year training course in English for film and sound professions.

Professional Programs

• Long and short programs to retrain or specialize in audiovisual professions.

Specific Programs

• ESRA Junior: Introductory audiovisual workshops for high school students in July.

Program Details

DHEC Production and Distribution

A 2-year postgraduate MFA program designed to train professionals capable of managing every stage in the creation of a film or audiovisual project, from development to distribution.

Program Presentation

The program combines theory, practical workshops, and production, covering all aspects of film production and distribution, including financing, marketing, legal affairs, broadcasting, and co-production.

Teaching Staff

The teaching staff is made up of recognized professionals, including:

• Antoine Cabot: Independent cinema director, former director of UGC Ciné Cité des Halles.
• Alya Belgroui: Marketing Director at Pathé.
• Bénédicte Massiet: Production Director, France TV.
• Clara Flageollet Schmit (DHEC 2010): International Sales Director at SND.
• Bruno Perez: Marketing Director at Warner Bros.
• Arnaud Pessonne: CFO at Make It Happen Studio.
• Jérôme Vidal: Associate producer at Noodles Production.

Program Highlights

• Each year, students produce a minimum of two projects, each stage of which is supervised by a professional.
• The program delivers a state-recognized Bac+5 postgraduate degree, certified by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
• Students have access to professional equipment, including top-of-the-range cameras and software.

Career Opportunities

85% of DHEC Production graduates are employed in the audiovisual industry one year after graduation, in roles such as:

• Producer
• Distributor
• Production Manager
• Post-production manager
• Programming Manager

Admissions

Admission Procedures

Admission to ESRA programs is through a competitive application process, with admission committees meeting every month.

Scholarships

ESRA offers scholarships and payment plans in partnership with the school and affiliated banks.

Accommodation

Information on accommodation options is available for international students.

The School

Who We Are

ESRA is a leading film school recommended by professionals, with a mission to train students for careers in film, audiovisual, sound, and animated film.

Campuses

ESRA has campuses in Paris, Côte d'Azur, Brittany, Brussels, and New York.

Commitments

ESRA is committed to inclusion, diversity, ecology, CSR, ethics, and quality charter.

Partnerships

ESRA has partnerships with leading companies and organizations in the audiovisual industry.

Resources

School News

News and updates from ESRA, including events, masterclasses, and screenings.

Alumni News

News and updates from ESRA alumni, including career achievements and successes.

Student Films

Showcase of student films and projects.

Alumni Network

Information on the ESRA alumni network and how to join.

Job Profiles

Information on job profiles and career opportunities in the audiovisual industry.

Events

List of upcoming events, including open days, masterclasses, and screenings.

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