Master of Fine Arts in Filmmaking

The entire program is taught in English

The Master of Fine Arts in Filmmaking is a two-year generalist degree in the art and craft of filmmaking, with the emphasis on hands-on instruction coupled with practical exercises in all the essentials of film and television production including directing, production, editing, cinematography and screenwriting.

Note that students who wish to leave after one year will be issued a Master of Arts in Filmmaking if they meet graduation requirements (which is why year 1 cohorts are known as “MA” and year 2 cohorts are known as “MFA”*). 

There are two production periods: midterm and final. Final projects must be submitted to and selected by the Greenlighting Committee in order to be produced.

  • European Master of Fine Arts
  • 50 years of EICAR
  • Alumni awarded at Cannes Film Festival

Master of Fine Arts in Filmmaking

Next intake:

September 2025

Duration:

2 years

Entry level:

Bachelor's degree or more

Relevant campuses:

Paris

MFA Particulars

The Master’s program includes:

  • 1st year : Master of Arts (MA)
  • 2nd year : Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
  • Industry professionals faculty members
  • Intense specialized workshops, one-on-one tutoring
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Overview

  • The first year of study is dedicated to bringing all students to an advanced level in all technical and creative courses. It focuses on learning the fundamentals of film and television production with the emphasis on documentary as well as fiction forms in film and television production.  It involves a research thesis in relation to a discipline of the student’s choice. Students will then be able to choose the specialization they want to pursue in their second year. 
  • The second year of study is dedicated to preparing final projects and career planning. Each student will choose one of two concentrations: Directing & Screenwriting OR Screen Production & Postproduction. Priority of choice will be given to students with the best track records (i.e. attendance and GPA). Depending on their specialization, students will have different graduation requirements.

This, in addition to electives and workshops, forms the basis of the program. Consequently, each student is trained to become a well-rounded and multi-skilled filmmaker with additional practice in their chosen concentration.

Courses amount to a total 420 hours for each year.
*MFA students need to have taken and passed all MA classes in order to graduate.

A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM IN THE ARTS & CRAFTS OF THE FILM INDUSTRY

Master 1 - MA Mastering the fundamentals & new horizons of the digital era

The first year consists in courses in the key disciplines of filmmaking and an introduction to the latest digital technology accompanied by hands-on-film exercises and production of short films. Students will write a research thesis and devote time to the development of fiction projects as well as documentary projects.

  • Directing: fundamental film grammar, shot motivation, point of view, camera movement, narrative visual storytelling, coverage and continuity
  • Screenwriting: introduction to basic structure from concept to character, scriptwriting rules and format, story development, character, visual strategies, understanding dramatic structure, fundamentals of casting and rehearsal techniques
  • Production: budgeting, scheduling, location scouting and permits, running a film set
  • Cinematography: theoretical and practical exercises covering the fundamentals – camera movement, lenses and perspective, axes and shooting rules, basic grip and lighting techniques, introduction of new equipment and technology including Sony PMW-F5 et PMW-FS7, Blackmagic URSA 4K
  • Editing: fundamentals of picture and sound editing, introduction and mastering of standard editing software including Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, AVID
  • Sound: introduction of sound recording and writing with sound

Additionally, students have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge through a series of specialized intensive workshops covering a wide array of film, television and media topics.

Master 2 - MFA Focus on the final project

In addition to completing the core curriculum and required workshops, students will devote time to the development of their final year project supported by extensive one-on-one tutoring.

  • Directing: extensive hands-on directorial exercises, multiple cameras, use of cinemascope, mastering the sequence shot, etc., preparation and execution of final year film
  • Screenwriting: pitching story, short film vs feature, structure of the short screenplay, character vs plot and writing of the final year film, the importance of visual language
  • Production: line producing skills, demands of the modern creative producer, film distribution, financing and shepherding a project from pre-production to release
  • Editing: mastering the art and craft of creative editing and postproduction techniques (Avid, advanced techniques of Adobe Premiere), extensive hands-on exercises
  • Cinematography: advanced lighting, composition and camera techniques, introduction to the high-end digital cameras such as Arri Alexa Plus, RED cameras
  • Curiosity : various facets of life in Paris through field trips
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MFA Concentrations

  • Directing & Screenwriting: If your script is greenlit, you will get to direct your own 9-minute short; if your script is not greenlit, you will have the opportunity to write a 28-minute spec episode and direct both a music video and a behind-the-scenes of one of the greenlit projects. 

    You must participate in 5 projects as 1st Assistant Director, Editor, Casting Director, or Continuity Supervisor.
  • Screen Production & Postproduction: You must participate in at least: 2 projects as DOP, Editor or Production Manager AND 2 projects as Sound Designer, Colorist AND 1 project as Production Designer, Sound Technician or 1st AC. (Exact number of projects will depend on how many projects are greenlit.)

Credits validation

After successfully completing all core classes, required workshops, and final year project, amounting to 120 ECTS.

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Our students projects

EICAR

In a few figures

  • 9000
    m² of facilities
    in Paris and Lyon
  • 300
    professionnal
    trainers
  • +500
    productions
    per year
  • 12800
    alumnis
    EICAR Network
Our programs

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know French in order to go to the international programs?

No. Our BFA, MFA, One Year Filmmaking programs and our summer workshops, “Making a Short” and “Writing a Short” are taught in English. The school nevertheless provides French classes as part of the degree programs to help you to immerge into French culture.

When is the admissions period?

Admissions begins in late October and is rolling but usually goes until early summer depending on places that remain.

What type of programs do you offer in the international department? What are their duration?

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program is 2 years, the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is 3 years; the One Year Filmmaking program is 1 year. All of our full time programs during the year require the student to apply. Summer Workshops can be one to three weeks and require only that one registers.