Why Study at NYFA Paris
Paris, one of the most inspirational cities in Europe, has a long, rich history in cinema and the arts. Aspiring storytellers and performers who wish to study in Paris can choose from a selection of short-term filmmaking and acting for film programs offered by NYFA. Students who attend NYFA’s Paris programs will complete hands-on projects that immerse them in the art and craft of these creative disciplines.
Information about Youth Programs at our Paris, France location can be found here.
NYFA’s Paris programs are not being offered in 2024. Please browse our short-term programs to explore other campuses and locations. NYFA plans to return to Paris for summer 2025.
Facilities
NYFA’s filmmaking and acting for film programs are held at La Fémis, the national film and television school of France. La Fémis, one of the most prestigious film schools globally, is located in the 18th arrondissement (district) within the historic neighborhood of Montmartre, one of the most iconic neighborhoods in Paris and home to many artists, filmmakers, actors, and visual storytellers.
The on-campus facilities at La Fémis available to NYFA students include spacious classrooms, meeting spaces, screening rooms, editing studios, post-production facilities, and state-of-the-art screening rooms. La Fémis is easily accessible by Metro, within walking distance of subway stations Jules Joffrin, Marcadet – Poissonniers, Lamarck – Caulaincourt, as well as bus stops such as Custine – Mont-Cenis and Lamarck – Caulaincourt.
During their time in Paris, students will learn from seasoned professionals, as the faculty is composed of experienced visual artists who are actively working in their respective fields. Our faculty are working, award-winning professionals who have earned their degrees from the most prestigious film and acting programs in the United States and around the world. Throughout their studies, faculty will challenge students to advance their creative skills and storytelling abilities.
Paris, famously known as the city of lights, is also the birthplace of cinema. In 1895, the first film projection was cast by the Lumière brothers using the Cinematograph, essentially launching the French film industry. In 1902, Georges Méliès, French illusionist and film director, directed Le Voyage dans la Lune or A Trip To The Moon using special effects and unique production techniques, which would eventually be recognized as one of the first science fiction films. A century after these early experiments with motion pictures, and almost 50 years since the French New Wave, the city has set the scene for prominent films such as An American in Paris (1951), The 400 Blows (1959), Breathless (1960), Charade (1963), Belle de Jour (1967), Amélie (2001), The Bourne Identity (2002), Before Sunset (2004), The Da Vinci Code (2006), as well as the animated film Ratatouille (2007).
Today, Paris has the greatest density of movie theatres in the world, as well as some of the finest restaurants, cafes, and performing arts venues. Paris is also home to the major companies and organizations in the film, media, and entertainment industries, including the film studio Cité du Cinéma, The Walt Disney Company, the French media company CANAL+ Groupe, as well as the broadcasting group Télévision Française 1.
In 1998, NYFA joined the thriving creative community in Paris when we started our first overseas program at the Sorbonne. Created as an alternative to other film schools, NYFA offers students the opportunity to create their own short films, giving them hands-on experience in the craft. Since NYFA’s launch, the school has expanded its offerings in additional disciplines in programs such as acting for film, which is also available in Paris.
In Montmartre, students will enjoy major attractions and historic sites that still have the capacity to astound even the most experienced traveler, such as the glorious cathedral Sacré-Cœur Basilica and its spectacular Paris views. During their time at NYFA Paris, students can experience the magic and allure of one of Europe’s most romantic cities, exploring bustling local markets such as Place du Tertre, museums including Musée de Montmartre and Espace Dalí, the Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet park, and the Théâtre des Béliers Parisiens, as well as world-class bakeries, brasseries, cafes, and restaurants.
Students can also easily access other great neighborhoods and attractions of Paris by taxi or Metro, visiting famous sites such as the Eiffel Tower, Moulin Rouge, the Louvre Museum, Musée d’Orsay, and Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.