20 Best Film Schools in Spain:Programs & Top Facts

Are you thinking of attending one of the best film schools? Then you should look no further than the film schools in Spain.

Spain is known for its film industry, especially in the Spanish language. Many of the best film schools in Spain offer courses in filmmaking, screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, sound design, production management, and much more. These programs are offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Different film schools have different paths to success. Any of the film schools you choose to attend from the list of best film schools in Spain will greatly impact your opportunities for success as a filmmaker, and it can even shape your career path.

In addition, several universities offer degree programs in film studies.

Is Attending a Film School in Spain a Good Idea?

Spain allows students to study various courses in different disciplines and at different levels ranging from undergraduate to post-doctoral degrees.

Although there are different courses offered, filmmaking is the most popular option for foreign students.

Spain is known to have some of the best film schools in the world. These film schools in Spain ensure they have an up-to-date curriculum and offer students a high-quality education in filmmaking courses.

Students gain knowledge of mass media and how it affects the public. They also learn about how the media is influenced by society and culture.

If you are looking to earn a successful career in film editing, directing, camera operating, and freelance photography, then you should consider attending one of the best film schools in Spain.

Is a Film Degree Worth it?

A lot of people wonder if obtaining a film degree is worth it. Well, yes! It is worth it.

Obtaining a film degree helps you to perfect your skills, generate an efficient portfolio, easily access film equipment (including software for editing films, software for visual effects, and sound equipment), and acquire network connections with other film professionals.

People who have a film degree also have the opportunity to pursue different professional opportunities.

This is possible because film degrees involve different fields including creative writing, cinema history, arts management, and media studies.

So, if you choose to become a cinematographer, producer, director, or any other role, a film degree can help you attain this.

How Much Do Filmmakers Make in Spain?

Just like any other career, the salaries of filmmakers in Spain depend on their years of experience, ranging from $250,000 to $2,000,000 per project.

The pay of a new film director in Spain falls in the range of $250,000 to $500,000 per film, and the pay of a studio film director in Spain is about $1,000,000 per movie.

The List of Best Film Schools in Spain

The question is, do you have it in you to make films? Film school is an environment that teaches you different aspects of filmmaking, including such subjects as film production, film theory, digital media production, screenwriting and many more.

Here’s a look at the best film schools in Spain with programs that will create the next generation of artists and filmmakers:

  • Escola Superior School of Cinema and Audiovisuals of Catalonia

  • Afilm International Film Workshops

  • Marbella Film School

  • Institute for Acting Mallorca

  • Madrid film institute

  • Catalonia Film School

  • ECAM

  • FX ANIMATION Barcelona 3D & Film School

Escola Superior school of cinema and Audiovisuals of Catalonia

This is a private educational center that teaches experts in different branches of cinema and the audiovisual sector. ESCAC was established in Barcelona in 1994 as a spinoff of the Center Calassanç’s vocational study program, and it is now based in Terrassa.

Currently, under Sergi Casamitjana’s direction, it is affiliated with the University of Barcelona.

ESCAC is an associate of the International Association of Film and Televisions Schools (CILECT), which represents 120 educational centers specialized in audiovisual creation, and a founding member of the European Grouping of Film and Television Schools (GEECT) and the Federation of Latin American Image and Sound Schools (FEISAL). They prepare them practically and theoretically

ESCAC education program is divided into categories:

Pre-University Education

  • Summer School – Pre-university summer course, aimed at young people aged between 10 and 23.
  • Foundation – Pre-university course, an introduction to the audiovisual arts.

University Studies

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Cinematography
  • Master’s Degree in Film and Screen Studies

Master’s Programs

  • Specialization courses and master’s programs.

Talent Promotion

  • Ópera Prima

Currently, most courses offered in the Superior School of Cinema and Audiovisuals of Catalonia are offered in Spanish language.

There are only two Programmes offered in English and they are:

  • Master in Film Directing
  • One Year Filmmaking

At ESCAC students are prepared to be storytellers, they are taught to tell stories from any of the fields taught at the school; directing, art direction, cinematography, documentary, screenwriting, editing, production, sound design, or visual effects production.

Afilm International Film Workshops

Afilm is an alternative for Barcelona Film School. This school operates differently from conventional film schools in Europe and the United States. The school opened its doors in 2009.

After Afilm earned their degrees, entered the workforce, and lectured at colleges and universities, they noticed a growing need to provide students with much more hands-on experience so that they students can adapt and integrate into the industry as quickly as possible and support themselves. In the school’s last years of study, most degree programs only permitted students to produce one or two short films.

The goal of Afilm has been to provide intensive courses with high energy and high impact that would propel learners and professionals to a better place more quickly and effectively. They provide pupils the chance to be successful right away.

The trainers at Afilm are all experts with great experience in their areas of filmmaking.

All their trainers have worked and are working at the highest level internationally and have taught at some of the best film institutions in Europe and the US.

Afilm trainers put in their best to train students to grow and become the best version of themselves in the industry.

Programs are divided into categories:

  • 1 Year Digital feature film

  • 1 Year Introduction to filmmaking

  • 3 Months feature film cinematography

  • 3 Months feature film production

  • 3 Months feature film production design

  • 3 months feature film sound

  • 3 Months feature film editing

  • Junior summer camp

Marbella film school

Marbella film school is located in Málaga, Spain. The school was founded by Nicole Moerland, a three-year Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theatre graduate who now shares her world-renowned technique with Marbella’s screen acting students.

Acting should be enjoyable, and at Marbella Film School, they approach instructions in that way.

In a friendly and encouraging environment, they challenge their students to reach their greatest potential.

Students can choose from a variety of beginning to advanced classes, and the instructors can then help them follow their professional goals by developing their showreels, mentoring them, and recording their auditions.

The goal of Marbella Film School is to provide you with the knowledge and resources you need to pursue acting as a profession, including the creation of your own showreel.

All instructors are working experts with a passion for the subject matter who can impart firsthand knowledge of actual on-set situations to their pupils.

Programs offered include:

  • Introduction to screen acting

  • Kids After-school acting

  • Teens After-School acting

  • Kids’ school holiday acting program

  • Teens’ school holiday acting program

  • Private acting lessons

  • Master Classes

Programs in Marbella film school costs about €150 for a course

Institute for Acting Mallorca

Institute for Acting Mallorca offers master classes for advanced performers interested in working in films and television that can sharpen their camera acting, auditioning, filmmaking, and self-taping skills with specialists in the film business.

According to this organization, the finest teachers are those who are still productive and successful in the subject matter they teach. At Institute for Acting Marcolla, they have actors, directors, DOPs, casting directors, and coaches on staff.

These instructors adore what they do. They support students by running acting classes. This institution is located in Palma, Spain

Programs offered include:

  • Master classes

Universitat De Barcelona

The Bachelor’s Degree in Cinematography forms students so that they can access the cinematographic and audiovisual professional sector in general.

Graduates must be able to express themselves through audiovisual language and know and develop in a creative way the different trades in this field: direction, art direction, photography direction, screenwriting, film editing, production, digital production and sound.

In addition to assimilating the mechanisms of audiovisual language and knowing how to use them to tell stories, students must have the ability to analyze and value all kinds of film languages, as well as know and use the latest technologies in the sector.

Teamwork is an essential part of the degree in Cinematography.

Students must be able to lead collective projects and collaborate productively with the rest of the members of a production team.

With the presence of a remarkable number of professionals in the teaching staff, they aim to achieve a convergence between educational approaches and the needs of the film industry, as well as to promote direct contact between the classroom and the profession. Find out more.
 

Madrid film institute

To participate in any of the Diploma programs at Madrid Film Institute, those interested must have a secondary or secondary education degree.

If you don’t have any of the degrees, it must be documented when taking the Access Test so that the issue is considered in particular. Interested members must pass the Entrance Test, you can do it at any time. The results are communicated as soon as possible, within 48 hours of receiving your proposal.

After passing the entrance test you have to pay the sum of €1,000 for accommodation, this accommodation fee is part of the tuition fee, and the rest of the tuition can be paid fractional payment, cash payment, or full payment.

Students from outer countries outside the European Union that’s interested in studying in person at this institution must apply for a student visa.

Degrees and programs offered ;

Bachelor’s Degree in Cinematography:

  • Cinematography (1 year)

  • Audiovisual Distribution (1 year)

  • Film Critic (1 year)

  • Costume Design (2 years)

  • Creative Direction in Branded Content and Fashion Films (1 year)

  • Vfx Monitoring (1 year)

  • Executive Production (1 year)

  • Series Screenwriting (1 year)

Undergraduate Degree in Cinematography (3 years) with a major starting the second year:

  • Film Direction

  • Documentary Filmmaking

  • Cinematography

  • Screenwriting

  • Editing

  • Sound Engineering

  • Production

  • Art Direction

Catalonia Film School

Catalonia Film School is an audiovisual and film school that consists of professionals that are active in the field.

The school teaches Degrees in Performing Arts, master in Cinematography, Degrees in Cinematography, and New Technologies. Specific Training, Workshops, and Film Summer School.

Since good technical and creative training should not be out of reach for young people with skill and ambition, the school aims to be accessible in terms of both programs and costs in Spain.

In addition to low tuition rates, the school also provides facilities like scholarships, resource optimization, a program to boost creativity, and the use of new technology.

Catalonia Film School provides the potential and viability of developing films that can include new talent from the production business Claqueta Cinema.

They also provide the opportunity to network with the business community and aspiring professionals by setting up master classes with great professionals, arranging internships, taking school trips to international festivals, and taking part in Claqueta Awards festivities, among other things.

Degrees and Programs Offered:

  • Bachelor of Dramatic Arts

  • Intermediate Degree in Performing Arts

  • Higher Degree in Performing Arts

  • Specialized Workshops

  • Specific Training in Script

  • Cinematography

  • and lots more.

7. ECAM

The ECAM is a film and audiovisual school, and its greatest assets are its team, teachers, and former and present students.

In order to impart their knowledge to the upcoming generations of industry experts, more than 300 working professionals from the film, television, and advertising industries visit the school’s classrooms, sets, and post-production facilities each year.

Degrees and Programs Offered include:

  • Diploma in Production

  • Diploma in Screenwriting

  • Diploma in Management

  • Diploma in Documentary Film

  • Diploma in Sound

  • Master’s Degree in Film Criticism

  • Master in Cinematographic Photography Direction

  • Master in Post Production Coordination

  • Master in Executive Production for Film and Series

  • and lots more.

FX Animation

FX Animation was known as a school that performs quality performance training in 3D and Cinema, but it is now recognized as one of Barcelona’s film schools.

FX Animation is a multidisciplinary school with three sets, including the largest chroma set in the neighborhood, its own production company, and expert professional trainers in film, post-production, editing, visual effects, animation, concept art, and video games.

This allows its Master and Career training programs to be exceptional and highly valued by companies in the sector.

Graduate students have a 99% job placement, they are given access to a global job bank, paid internships, and training programs in businesses the school guarantees and manages.

In order to train digital artists and audiovisual content producers for the present and the future of this thriving industry, which is entertainment in movies, television shows, video games, animation, and virtual reality among other things, the school combines audiovisual creativity, digital art, and new technologies.

L’idem Creative Arts School

International school with 25 years of experience in training new talents in the creative arts.

It is an educational institution for future talents in the creative arts founded in 1996. Renowned studios and agencies from all over the world rely on L’Idem when it comes to incorporating new professionals to their teams.

It is also a private center authorized by the Department d’Educació de la Generalitat de Catalunya to offer higher studies and international master’s degrees in the fields of 2D/3D Animation, Videogames, Visual Effects and Design.

It currently has two campuses: Barcelona and Perpignan. Find out more.

Makkers School

With more than 600 hours and the duration of an academic year, their master’s degrees are the first step in your professional stage and not the last in your training stage.

At Makkers School, 100% of the internships are carried out in top-level production companies.

Both in the master’s degrees and in the courses, all their students put into practice the knowledge acquired within the more than 50 collaborating companies, which continue to grow every year, carrying out these internships within real projects in a professional environment under the supervision of professionals in action. Find out about other programs they offer.

Septima Ars

At Septima Ars they have been training the best professionals in the audiovisual sector for 30 years.

These 30 years consecrate us as one of the most historic and prestigious film schools in Spain. The success of their Alumni (GOYA Awards, GRAMMY nominations, OSCAR nominations, ONDAS awards…) endorses them as one of the leading educational institutions in Spain. Find out more.

Universitat Ramon LLUL

Ramon Llull University (URL), located in Barcelona, is a private, not-for-profit university, with a Humanist and Christian inspiration, and promotes public service.

Its main aim is to provide quality, personalized education to respond to society’s needs.

Small work groups, close relations between students and faculty, and complete mastery of new technologies represent this university’s unique methodology.

URL is a university that sees internationalization as key to educational programs for future professionals. Find out more.

TAI University Arts Centre

This University is currently an avant-garde space and a benchmark for training in artistic disciplines. A vibrant community of creators from more than 30 countries around the world.

They believe in art as a transcendental and transformative element of society. They promote creativity, the most sought-after and highly valued differentiating factor.

They are the meeting point for all disciplines, a community of communities where talents come together through a multidisciplinary and comprehensive vision of the arts. See the film programs.

Other Film Schools in Spain include:

  • NOU[PRO]DIGI
  • Cinema Room
  • LCDC Film School
  • ECIB Film School
  • Actors Workshop Spain

FAQs

What Degree Do You Need For Filmmaking?

Although there are no formal requirements to become a filmmaker, it is advised that you pursue a bachelor’s degree in film and television production.

This will give you the chance to learn as many skills as required to work in the field, as well as gain experience with projects and make contacts in the industry.

What Should I Major in For Film Production?

Being a movie producer is a job that comes with prestige. The work hours for this job are long and the stress that comes with it is unmatched, but it comes with a high salary.

To become a movie producer, you are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in acting, film, communication, journalism, or any other field that is related.

There are major skills you need to have to become a movie producer and these major skills include critical thinking, time management, decision making, active listening, and the ability to monitor.

For you to succeed as a movie producer, you need drive, creativity, a good sense of business, good film knowledge, and knowledge of the film industry as a whole.

What is The Highest Paying Job in the Film Industry?

Hollywood has given people the idea that everyone in the film industry is a billionaire. Well, this is not true as different job roles attract different pay rates.

There is a wide variety of good-paying jobs in the film industry. However, the highest paying jobs in the film industry include the following:

  • Executive Producer
  • Director
  • Screenwriter
  • Editor

Is Filmmaking a Stable Career?

Film has always been a great way to express oneself, but now it seems like everyone wants to become a filmmaker.

So, a lot of people wonder if being in the film industry is a stable career.

The movie industry is booming, with over $11 billion spent on movies last year alone. In 2017, the top five highest-grossing films earned over $1 billion each.

And according to IMDB, the number of jobs in the US film industry grew by 7% between 2016 and 2017.

Film is a very competitive field, and it takes years of experience to get noticed. If you want to make a living out of filmmaking, you’ll need to start early and build a portfolio.

Takeaway:

A lot of people want to be a part of the film industry but they are not sure of how to go about it. Starting a career in the film industry is very simple, all you need to do is

  • Complete High School
  • Obtain a bachelor’s degree in filmmaking
  • Apply for internships
  • Do a short film
  • Develop experiences related to film
  • Build your network

with these, you will be on the right path to joining the film industry in no time.

Best of luck!

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