Best Film Schools in Spain: Spain’s contribution to the world of film and filmmaking has been historically notable, with filmmakers like Luis Buñuel, Pedro Almodóvar, and Jaime Camino being some of the most recognizable names in cinematic history.
In fact, Buñuel is often referred to as one of the best filmmakers who ever lived.
In Spain, there are plenty of opportunities to study and work in the film industry, whether you’re just starting out or you’re an established filmmaker who wants to go back to school for some extra education.
This guide will take you through the best Spanish film schools, with special information on each school’s programs, job placement rates, and more.
Whether you want to get into visual effects or animation, direct indie features, or write screenplays in Spanish, there’s a program at one of these film schools that will help you make your dreams come true.
For your interest, we have written about the best film schools in Europe so you can check them out too in your spare time.
With that said, let us get started with a few related questions.
Is Spain a good place for filmmaking?
For those wishing to study filmmaking in Spain, there are many reasons people love to study in Spain, the country is one of the best places for film studies.
Some of the reasons most international students choose Spain as their study location for film studies include;
Reputation:
Spanish cinema is one of the best-developed and most widely consumed cinemas in European countries.
High acceptance rate:
Film studies in Spain are not only widely available but prestigious with high admission rates at film academies.
Plenty of film festivals each year:
Furthermore, there are many film festivals taking place annually with plenty of exhibition opportunities to choose from, these events help budding filmmakers to have their work seen by a wider audience.
Here are the top 5 best film festivals in Spain:
- San Sebastián International Film Festival
- Huelva Ibero-American Film Festival
- Festival de Málaga de cine español
- Festival Internacional de Cine Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
- Festival Internacional de Cinema Jove
[Read more: 7 Best Film Schools in Belgium: Programs & Tuition]
How can you get into a film school in Spain?
Film schools are located throughout Spain, to be accepted into a film school, students need to take tests that assess their aptitude for the subject matter.
Generally, film schools need their applicants to possess documents such as;
- Cinematic arts personal statement.
- Writing and visual samples where you have to communicate yourself clearly.
- Letters of recommendation.
You might as well be required to present a creative portfolio list (this is like an artistic resume), and you need to show confidence.
With these documents, you can get into the film schools in Spain.
What are the best film schools in Spain?
1. Universitat de Barcelona
Founded in 1450, Universitat de Barcelona is a top public school in Spain, one of the world’s top-ranked universities, currently sitting as the number one school in Spain, the Universitat de Barcelona is also one of the best film schools in Barcelona.
Universitat de Barcelona offers programs in both English and Spanish with a specialization in filmmaking which leads to a Bachelor’s Degree in Cinematography.
The program forms students so that they can access the cinematographic and audiovisual professional sector in general.
Contact details:
Address: Gran Via de Les Corts Catalanes, 585, 08007 Barcelona, Spain.
Phone: +34 934 02 11 00.
2. TAI University Arts Center
TAI University is one of the most prestigious film schools in Spain located in Madrid, students are groomed in filmmaking courses that lead to a Bachelor’s degree in Cinematography.
The mission of the school is to produce capable and highly demanded professionals who can fill positions in the audiovisual market.
As a student enrolled in film studies at this Spanish university, you will become proficient in film editing and color correction for major film and TV series.
Contact details:
Address: C. de Recoletos, 22, 28001 Madrid, Spain.
Phone: +34 914 47 20 55.
[Read more: 18 Easiest Film Schools To Get Into US, UK, CANADA, EUROPE]
3. Blanquerna – Universitat Ramon Llull
Founded in 1990, the University Ramon Llull is a private and one of the top-ranking schools in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Students looking for the best film schools in Barcelona can check out Blanquerna, the film programs here lead to a Master’s degree in film and television fiction.
Students will be groomed very well in areas like film and television fiction, film production and directing, script writing and realization and they receive career guidance at the end of the program with the support of the Blanquerna Alumni network.
One of the reasons most students love the Blanquerna film school is that it has a very high job placement rate of 87.7% for a master’s degree according to AQU.
Contact details:
Address: Carrer de Claravall, 1, 3, 08022 Barcelona, Spain.
Phone: +34 936 02 22 00.
4. FX Animation Barcelona 3D & Film School
FX Animation is one of the top private schools in Barcelona, Spain with over 14 years of experience with world-class programs in filmmaking, visual effects, and animation.
The Animation program at FX University offers its students the chance to work in a hands-on film studio environment where they have access to the latest 3D animation technology.
They are taught by industry professionals who help their students understand the intricacies of not only how to make films but also how to conduct themselves as professionals on set.
Contact details:
Address: C. de Pujades, 112, 08005 Barcelona, Spain.
Phone: +34 934 81 43 91.
5. Catalonia Film School
The Catalonia Film School is one of the best film schools in Spain with professional instructors that train aspiring and returning filmmakers to become professionals in the Spanish film industry.
The Catalonia Film School offers degrees in Cinematography, performing arts, and other related film programs leading to a master’s in Cinematography.
As one of the best Spanish film school, the school has large facilities more than 3000 M², new technologies, and offer specific training and also financial aid through Master’s scholarships to students.
The school’s core values are discipline, teamwork, and humility.
[Read more: The 24 Best Film Producing Schools In The World]
Contact details:
Address: Rambla de l’Exposició, 59-69, 08800 Vilanova i la Geltrú, Barcelona, Spain.
Phone: +34 938 10 00 58.
6. Madrid film institute
Madrid Film Institute is certainly the best film school in Madrid, Spain, and is usually a highly-selected school by those who want to get into the business of films and all its aspects.
The Madrid Film institute has been established in 2002 offering subjects in; film direction, interpretation, photography, editing, sound, art, script, production, documentary, animation, makeup, and characterization.
No matter what you are looking for, the Madrid film School has a program for you, these programs lead to a Masters or a Diploma.
For someone with an interest in studying films at the highest level of academia, the Madrid Institute of Film is a very choice to make.
Contact details:
Address: C. de Eduardo Benot, 2, 28008 Madrid, Spain.
Phone: +34 914 47 80 40.
7. Marbella film school
Marabella Film School is arguably the best film school in Malaga, Spain, the programs often start with an extensive film studies foundation.
The mission of the Marbella film school is to provide students with the required skills needed to pursue acting as a career, including the development of their own showreel.
For this reason, Marabella Film School also offers online courses to reach students all over Spain, the students of the arts can spend their years taking these courses to explore both cinematic history and practices.
Contact details:
Address: C. Jacinto Benavente, 37, 29601 Marbella, Málaga, Spain.
Phone: +34 951 24 72 85.
8. Afilm International Film Workshops
Afilm is an international graduate film training center located in Sitges, Barcelona that gives students an opportunity to work together on a project.
The workshop provides training in all aspects of film production (screenwriting, directing, editing, and sound design) and promotes the development of young filmmakers who can become professional members of the industry.
Afilm International Film Workshop offers a very hands-on learning experience to aspiring and returning filmmakers to practice the actual job they hope to pursue while learning all about how to put theory into working knowledge.
Contact details:
Address: Calle Victor Balaguer 20-22 Esc. 2 Bj. 1, 08870 Sitges, Barcelona, Spain.
Phone: +34 930 31 04 67.
9. Septima Ars
With over 30 years of training upcoming students in audiovisual, the Septima Ars film and TV school is no doubt one of the best film schools in Madrid.
The Septima Ars Film and Television School was founded in 1992 and is one of the pioneers when it comes to film training in Spain.
The mission of the school is to produce filmmakers who would become the next creators and professionals of successful films or television series.
You will also be able to choose from disciplines such as screenwriting, cinematography, or sound design for your project work.
Contact details:
Address: C. Fuente del Saz, 5, 28016 Madrid, Spain.
Phone: +34 914 57 79 73.
10. Escuela de Cinematografía y del Audiovisual de la Comunidad de Madrid (ECAM)
ECAM is one of the best schools in Spain that strongly focuses on training students in cinematography and audiovisual, it is located in Madrid and is often referred to as the “Madrid Film School”.
ECAM was founded in 1994 and every year over 300 professionals in the film industry transmit their knowledge to the new generations of professionals in the sector.
It takes four years to complete a film degree at the Escuela de Cinematografía y del Audiovisual de la Comunidad de Madrid, 3 years undergraduate in Cinematography, and 1-year bachelor’s degree.
Contact details:
Address: C. Juan de Orduña, 3, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain.
Phone: +34 915 12 10 60.
11. ESCAC – Escola Superior de Cinema i Audiovisuals de Catalunya
The Catalonia Film School (Escola Superior de Cinema I Audiovisuals de Catalunya) was founded in 1994 with the aim of promoting cultural diversity through audiovisual productions.
It is an international film school, aimed at developing skills for high-quality filmmakers through training that combines theoretical knowledge with professional practice.
The students work as a collective to create films together which can then be viewed on campus as part of the curriculum.
Contact details:
Address: Plaça de la Farinera, 9, 08222 Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain.
Phone: +34 937 36 15 55.
12. Makkers School
Makkers is one of the top schools in Madrid that offers programs in advertising cinema, TV series, and fashion.
Makkers have a job placement rate of 90%, and the master’s degree program duration is more than 600 hours with less than 20 students.
One of the reasons most students choose Makkers is because the school exposes them to real-world situations while training, during internship periods, aspiring filmmakers can work with big industries.
Contact details:
Address: C. de Ferraz, 80, 6º Izquierda, 28008 Madrid, Spain.
Phone: +34 910 55 90 32.
Other Spanish Film Schools:
- L’idem Creative Arts School
- NOU[PRO]DIGI
- Cinema Room
- LCDC Film School
- ECIB Film School
- Actors Workshop Spain
- Institute for Acting Mallorca
Conclusion
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a film industry in Spain?
Yes, the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA) is an autonomous body overseen by the Ministry of Culture and Sports and responsible for the planning of policies to support the film industry and audiovisual production. It is a member of the European Film Promotion network on behalf of Spain.
What are the best film companies in Spain?
Here is a list of the top 5 best film companies in Spain; Fresco Film Services (Malaga), Madrid Film Office (Madrid), Tenerife Film Commission (Tenerife), Andalucia Film Commission (Seville), Canary Islands Film (Canary Islands).
What can you do as a filmmaker in Spain?
Film jobs in Spain are available all over the country, you can work at various film festivals or teach film production or film studies, you can work as a skilled artist, set constructors, screen printers, caterers, and a whole heap more.
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