One-Year Filmmaking Program in Cannes ESRA International Film School

The one-year Filmmaking program in the Cote D'Azur based at our George Melies Campus in Cannes provides for foreign students a solid foundation in filmmaking, screenwriting, and Directing: combining theoretical knowledge about the history and art of cinema, with ‘hands-on’ technical training using film, sound, and lighting equipment. While classes deepen their knowledge and appreciation of filmmaking – as an art, a process, and an industry – students also participate in group projects and can borrow school equipment to write, direct, and shoot their own short movies.

The program offers graduating students an overview of the various jobs involved in the production of films and television while emphasizing Screenwriting and Directing.

Classes and Projects run from January 2025 until June 2025 and are extended by the possibility of a professional internship at the end of classes and after finishing work on the final films. The program consists of regular classes and practical work interrupted only by specified school holidays, production preparations, filming and post-production. Although students are responsible for searching for their internship, ESRA International provides necessary official documents, insurance, and other support according to the internship’s location in France or abroad.

Students are also able to apply for passes to attend the Cannes International Film Festival in May via the School’s dedicated allocation system.

The program on its own covers the fundamentals of Screenwriting and Directing as well as basics in Cinematography, Editing, and Production. The average teaching time is 25 hours per week.

LECTURES AND PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS

• Understand the aesthetic and technical aspects of creating image and sound, from early cinema to contemporary film
• Learn the essential rules of visual storytelling and screenwriting
• Train in directing and develop 'hands-on' skills in cinematography, video, lighting, sound recording and editing - taking on different roles in a film crew.

PROJECTS

• To shoot a photo story, record audio, and edit together a 2 to 3 minute audiovisual photo slideshow (team of 2)
• To begin writing and prepare for a 1 to 3 minute short film project (individual or team of 2 to 5), with students choosing to produce either a fiction film or a documentary
• To begin writing and preparing for the final 10 minutes group film project (team of up to10)

Entry requirements

Spoken and Written English Language Required