A new Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution in the film and television sector has been established in Hebei Province. The Hebei University of Science and Technology Paris Film and Audiovisual Technology Institute, a collaboration between Hebei University of Science and Technology and France's prestigious École Supérieure de Réalisation Audiovisuelle (ESRA), received official approval at the end of 2025.
This initiative marks the first high-level joint educational program in the film and arts field within the province, addressing a regional gap in internationalized film education and creating a new pathway for cultivating interdisciplinary talent for China's film industry.
Combining Top-Tier Resources to Set an International Benchmark
The institute's establishment represents a significant outcome of deep integration between Chinese and French film education. It leverages the Chinese partner's strengths in interdisciplinary studies combining arts and engineering, while incorporating the century of industry expertise from the top-tier European institution, ESRA. The program focuses on three core and high-demand industry specializations: animation, sound art, and film/television production and cinematography.
Operating under a "4+0" dual-degree model, students can complete their entire studies domestically without needing to study abroad. Upon meeting the requirements of both institutions, graduates will receive a bachelor's degree from Hebei University of Science and Technology alongside a bachelor's degree from ESRA in France, achieving an international educational outcome with dual certification.
Reportedly, the institute plans to enroll 180 students this year, with 60 seats allocated to each specialization. The animation and film production/cinematography programs are open to art students with a focus on fine arts, while the sound art program is available to art students specializing in instrumental or vocal music. The admissions process does not restrict specific exam subjects, offering diverse pathways for students with different artistic talents.
A Four-Dimensional Educational System for Cultivating Globally-Minded Talent
With a core philosophy of "symbiosis between art and technology, mutual promotion of humanities and science," the institute has built a distinctive international educational framework. The curriculum blends Western and Chinese elements, introducing core modules from the French film industry that cover the entire production process while integrating courses on Chinese traditional culture and digital creativity, ensuring both global relevance and local cultural grounding.
The faculty brings together experienced educators from both countries. Chinese instructors possess solid academic foundations and rich teaching experience, while French instructors are active frontline professionals from Hollywood and the European film market, some serving as jurors for international festivals like Cannes and Venice, enabling them to convey the latest industry trends.
Practice-oriented teaching adopts the French "studio" model, centering on real film projects. Students participate in the entire process from scriptwriting and shooting to post-production, strengthening practical skills and ensuring seamless alignment between academic learning and industry needs.
The institute has invested over 20 million yuan to establish more than 20 professional laboratories, including a standard cinema, virtual simulation center, Dolby Atmos recording studio, motion capture lab, and AIGC creation lab. The equipment is on par with top international film production companies, providing students with professional creative spaces.
Comprehensive Support Policies to Foster Student Success
To encourage excellence, the institute has established a robust scholarship system. An Excellence Scholarship for new students rewards those with outstanding Gaokao scores. An Academic Elite Scholarship recognizes top performers based on comprehensive annual evaluations. An English Proficiency Scholarship assists students in enhancing their international communication skills, and a Creative Practice Scholarship supports student involvement in film production projects. The combined coverage rate for these awards reaches 80%.
Additionally, the institute provides a special subsidy of 5,000 yuan per student for those participating in study trips to France, supporting the expansion of their international perspectives.
Diverse Pathways to Connect with Global Industry Resources
Graduates will have broad development prospects. For further studies, they are eligible for domestic postgraduate recommendation and can apply to top Chinese institutions like the Beijing Film Academy and Communication University of China. They also have the option to apply for exemption from entrance exams for ESRA's master's degree programs in France, providing direct access to advanced European film education.
Regarding employment, leveraging the industry networks of both Chinese and French partners, graduates can join leading domestic and international film enterprises such as China Media Group, Beijing Film Studio, Tencent, and miHoYo, participating in major project productions. Previously, over 15,000 graduates from ESRA have entered the global film industry, contributing to classic works like *Slumdog Millionaire* and *Avengers: Endgame*, and winning more than 30 international awards including Oscars and Césars, providing strong endorsement for students' career development.
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