France's first private audiovisual school
Figaro 2026 ranking
Founded in 1972, ESRA's mission is to offer Programs of excellence in film, sound and animation.
In initial training, they are recognized by the French government and award state-approved diplomas at Bac+3 and Bac+5 levels. With a strong international outlook, the school is part of the ERASMUS+ program and offers these Programs in English.
In Professional Training, the school offers a full range of Programs , from retraining modules to hardware and software certification, as well as high-level Programs for industry experts through its DIXIT Programs department.
A school of excellence at the heart of the audiovisual industry
With more than 15,000 alumni pursuing careers in the audiovisual industry, ESRA has established itself as the leading film school in Europe. Its alumni include the winner of the 2026 César Award for Best Film, as well as 55 César nominations, Oscar, and Grammy Awards. In addition, films directed by alumni have been selected for the Cannes Film Festival and at the Venice Film Festival and at numerous festivals in France and abroad
(see the list here).
With locations in Paris, Nice, Cannes, Rennes, Brussels, and New York, the school features state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment on each campus, providing an ideal setting to nurture the talents of tomorrow.
Stable, lasting support
ESRA is a family school with a long-term commitment to its students.
For over 25 years, ESRA has been delivering a recognized degree and has constantly adapted to the profound technological changes that have transformed the audiovisual industry.
Still in the throes of reconfiguration with the arrival of Artificial Intelligence, ESRA continues to monitor changes in professional practices to adapt its programs.
"ESRA is a family school with the ambition of excellence for our Programs. Our commitment and responsibility are for the very long term and we accompany each generation of talent with the same passion and rigor, and sometimes even the children of former students who contribute to this family aspect."
- David Azoulay, President of ESRA
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Max Azoulay
Honorary Chairman
David Azoulay
Chairman of ESRA
Benjamin Azoulay
Vice President of ESRA
Armelle Mahe
Director ESRA Paris
Jennifer Simon
Director ESRA Bretagne
Thierry Collard
Director ESRA Côte d'Azur
Ariane Strassar
Director ESRA Brussels
FOLLOW US!
Max Azoulay
Honorary Chairman
David Azoulay
Chairman of ESRA
Benjamin Azoulay
Vice President of ESRA
Armelle Mahe
Director ESRA Paris
Jennifer Simon
Director ESRA Bretagne
Thierry Collard
Director ESRA Côte d'Azur
Ariane Strassar
Director ESRA Brussels
Opening up to international markets
Since 2019, ESRA has opened its ESRA training in English for students from all over the world. This state-recognized training program delivers a degree approved by the French Ministry of Higher Education, and is equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in all countries (USA, Australia, Europe, etc.). ESRA is also recognized by the People's Republic of China.
The school has also collaborated with the MBC group (Middle Eastern media group) to train young Saudi professionals, with the American university Parsons, the New School For Fashion, since 2022, and with China, where lESRA formalized its partnership with the Beijing Film Academy in November 2024.
Professionally-oriented Programs
The school offers post-baccalaureate Programs in all three audiovisual fields. These Programs award a state-approved degree recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
Producer, Director, Editor
Audiovisual, Sound Systems, Music,
Radio, Video Games
Animation, 3D Compositing & VFX, Management & Production, Modeling
Year-round events
Throughout the year, numerous events are organized at the school, often open to the public, such as meetings with César shortlisted filmmakers or masterclasses with French and international filmmakers and others.
The ESRA difference
Concrete projects
with industry pros
International Opportunities
filming, internships, ESRA New York
Powerful network
more than 15,000 alumni
6 campuses:
Paris, Nice, Cannes, Rennes, Brussels, and New York
52 awards
international
Student films
broadcast on TV (TF1, festivals...)
A recognized school
by the professional world
Our ambition: to prepare students to enter the industry with a clear vision, solid skills and strong projects.
We are very pleased that ESRA is the first ARRI Certified School in France. It is an honor and a satisfaction to know that students will have access to advanced knowledge and technologies, actually used in the field by professionals, to best enter the world of cinema.
Natasza Chroscicki
ESRA 2021 – Managing Director, ARRI France
★★★★★
ESRA was the starting point of my career. It was at the school that I realized that the audiovisual industry was not just a passion, but a territory to be explored and invented. This foundation gave me the desire and the means to undertake.
Stéphan Faudeux
ESRA 1988, Organizer of SATIS
★★★★★
ESRA stands out for the quality of its animation training, which brilliantly prepares tomorrow's talents for the creative challenges of the cartoon world. We are delighted to welcome these passionate and talented young graduates to our productions.
Bravo to ESRA for its commitment to future creators!
Julien Borde
Mediawan Kids&Family - Miraculous Lady Bug
★★★★★
Exchanging with ESRA is always a real pleasure. The care taken to stay in tune with the evolutions of the sector and the expectations of professionals demonstrates a genuine seriousness and a strong grounding in the reality of the industry. This constant concern for dialogue and adaptation makes ESRA a school resolutely focused on the future.
Tarafa Sahloul
Founder, Kid Katana Record
★★★★★
FICAM greatly appreciates ESRA's welcome openness to the world of technical service companies, enabling it to build lasting bridges between the school and the professional world, with a common goal: to welcome into our companies young professionals who are passionate, competent and fully aware of developments in the sector in which they will be working.
Stéphane Bedin
Deputy Director, FICAM
★★★★★
As a producer, I know how essential it is to master the artistic and technical language. At ESRA, students acquire the rigor and creativity that make them true professionals ready to face the challenges of the industry.
Vanessa Djian
Producer, Edmond, Des Jours Meilleurs
★★★★★
ESRA is one of the educational pillars of our sector. The quality of its teaching, both theoretical and practical, its reflections on market developments, and its focus on new technologies and the future make it an essential player.
Serge Hayat
Author and entrepreneur in the media
★★★★★
To work in the cinema and series of today and tomorrow, ESRA is the essential school.
David Defendi
Director, Producer (Canal+, Arte)
★★★★★
Testimonials
The encounters, the projects, the passionate lecturers... ISTS gave me much more than skills: it gave me a real vision of the profession. I'd like to thank the lecturers for sharing their experience, and the passionate teachers for their high standards and kindness. ISTS has had a profound effect on me. This is just the beginning of the adventure.
Julian Ranaivo
ISTS 2024 – Music Recording
★★★★★
Three intense years with unforgettable encounters. Thank you to my parents, my friends, and the teachers, especially Charles, Hervé, and Michel, for their humanity, passion, and support. This journey has changed my life.
Lucie Laboure
ISTS 2024 – Sound Engineering
★★★★★
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 2024 – TV Directing
★★★★★
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 Le Labourier
ESRA 2024 – Image
★★★★★
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 Hue
ESRA 2024 – Film Directing
★★★★★
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
ISTS Rennes – Cinema
★★★★★
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
Master Screenwriting/Directing
★★★★★
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 TV – Director
★★★★★
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 2021 – Image Option
★★★★★
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 2021 – TV Directing
★★★★★
Do you have any questions?
Is the ESRA degree recognized by the State?
Yes, all the initial Programs offered by ESRA are recognized by the French Ministry of Education and Research at Bachelor (Bac+3) level for ESRA Filmmaking, ESRA Sound and ESRA Animation, and at Postgraduate (Bac+5) level for the MFA Filmmaking ,DHEC Screenwriting & Directing and DHEC Production. This diploma is equivalent to a bachelor's degree.
How do I join ESRA?
You must submit an application on the platform esra.edu/je-candidatefill in the required information, choose your exam date and take the tests. Admissions committees meet every month. If you are accepted, you can pre-register as early as November.
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 government, 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 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.
Who are ESRA's alumni?
Over 15,000 audiovisual professionals have graduated from ESRA since its creation in 1972. Check out our alumni page to discover some of our most memorable achievements, including 47 César nominations, an Oscar win, two Grammy Awards, selections at the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival, song production for Daft Punk, Beyonce, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, Big Flo et Oli and Orelsan, VFX and animation on some of the world's biggest films, and many other professional and public accolades.