ESRA is expanding its international reach through a new partnership in China

A groundbreaking partnership between ESRA and the Communication University of China

ESRA is continuing to expand its international strategy with the signing of a major partnership with the Communication University of China (CUC), China’s leading university in the fields of media, communication, film, and audiovisual studies. This collaboration, formalized by the signing of a memorandum of understanding on March 24, 2026, marks a new milestone in the school’s international reach and in the development of academic and artistic collaborations on a global scale.

This partnership between the two institutions is the result of efforts led by France Coproduction, an association specializing in the development of international audiovisual collaborations, with the involvement of two French producers active in international co-productions: Nicolas Deschamps, a producer at Realworks, and Marie de Maublanc, a producer at Alma Productions.

This initiative has fostered a dialogue between ESRA and the Communication University of China to explore new avenues of cooperation in the areas of education, audiovisual production, and the development of international projects.

A documentary production program in the heart of China

The first tangible result of this partnership will be an intensive documentary filmmaking program, which will bring together fifteen students from ESRA and fifteen students from the Communication University of China from July 13 to 25, 2026.

Divided into fifteen Franco-Chinese pairs, the participants will be tasked with conceiving, filming, and editing fifteen short documentary films, each approximately three minutes long. This immersive experience will allow them to work together throughout the creative process, from writing to final editing.

Filming will take place in several Chinese provinces, including Sichuan, Hubei, and Jiangsu, offering students a unique opportunity to explore the cultural, social, and geographical diversity of contemporary China. This hands-on immersion will provide a tremendous learning opportunity, both artistically and personally.

Under the guidance of faculty and professionals from both institutions, students will work in English and compare their working methods, artistic sensibilities, and approaches to documentary filmmaking. This intercultural experience serves as a true creative laboratory where the exchange of perspectives will enrich the audiovisual projects being developed.

International recognition of the works produced

In addition to the educational experience, the films produced will be screened and promoted among leading cultural and media partners.

The short films will be screened at a closing event on July 25, 2026, at the Communication University of China, attended by students, faculty, industry professionals, and program partners.

The films produced will also receive support from several leading players in the international audiovisual sector, including CGTN, Ushuaïa TV, TV5 Monde, and the Festival Jeunesse Tout Court, which will screen all of the films as part of its program.

This visibility presents an exceptional opportunity for participating students, who will be able to present their work to an international audience and expand their professional network in a particularly stimulating environment.

Training the audiovisual professionals of tomorrow

This project goes far beyond simply producing documentary films. It is part of a broader goal: to prepare a new generation of professionals capable of thriving in an increasingly globalized audiovisual industry.

Today, international co-productions, talent mobility, and cross-border collaborations are playing an increasingly important role in the film and audiovisual industries. Future directors, producers, screenwriters, and technicians must be able to work in multicultural environments and adapt to a variety of professional practices.

Through this program, students will develop their technical and artistic skills while learning to collaborate in a demanding international environment. They will also discover new ways of portraying reality through documentary film, all while enjoying a unique immersion in contemporary Chinese society.

A partnership built to last

This inaugural event is intended to become an annual gathering held alternately in China and France. It marks the beginning of a lasting partnership between the two institutions, with the goal of increasing academic exchanges, joint projects, and mobility opportunities for students.

The launch of this partnership takes place against a particularly symbolic backdrop, marked by celebrations of the 130th anniversary of French cinema and the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema. This historical context underscores the importance of dialogue between the two countries in the field of audiovisual creation.

For Benjamin Azoulay, Vice President of ESRA, this partnership fully embodies the school’s international ambitions:

“This partnership with the Communication University of China reflects ESRA’s international ambitions and our commitment to preparing our students for the realities of a deeply globalized audiovisual industry.”

For their part, Nicolas Deschamps and Marie de Maublanc emphasize the importance of enabling young French and Chinese creators to collaborate from the very start of their training in order to lay the groundwork for future international co-productions and collaborations.

ESRA, a school with a strong international focus

Founded in 1972, ESRA has been training future professionals in film, sound, and animation for over fifty years. With campuses in Paris, Nice, Cannes, Rennes, Brussels, and New York, the school welcomes students from diverse backgrounds every year and is actively expanding its international reach.

With more than 15,000 alumni working in the audiovisual industry, Programs , and numerous academic partnerships around the world, ESRA remains committed to providing an education that is grounded in the realities of the industry and aligned with the global challenges facing the creative sector.

This new partnership with the Communication University of China exemplifies our commitment to preparing students to become the creators, producers, and professionals of tomorrow in a globalized audiovisual environment, where cultural exchange and international collaboration are now essential drivers of innovation and development.

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