| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Poudrière | Drome |
For this ranking we only consider professional training programs, that is, non-degree programs such as certificate, diploma, and similar programs that are not formal 4-year bachelor's degrees. For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here.
La Poudrière is one of just three film schools recognized by the French Ministry of Culture. The school provides a two-year Author Director of Animated Film (ADAF) program, and short programs such as Creating the Storyboard for an Animated Film; Writing for an Animated Series, and Writing Music for Animated Films.
The two-year Author Director of Animated Film (ADAF) program at La Poudrière is recognized by the National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP). Students in this program will receive advanced training and direction from 80 professionals in the film and television industries. Examples of areas explored include writing and animating for films, television series, and trailers; directing actors; editing; and sound and music.
All La Poudrière ADAF students have the opportunity to participate in film festivals such as the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, and pitching events such as Cartoon Movie and Cartoon Springboard. To date, La Poudrière student films have won 190 awards in international film festivals.
Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art production facilities; partnerships with Festival d'un Jour, Lyon National Music Conservatory (music for film), Lux Scène nationale, the Comédie de Valence (the National Drama Centre), and 'Le Navire' cinema; and study abroad opportunities with the Academy of Arts Architecture & Design in Prague (Umprum).
The Author Director of Animated Film program at La Poudrière culminates with several professional films. After graduating, La Poudrière alumni automatically gain access to networking opportunities, and direct connections to producers.
La Poudrière Animation Film School supports all graduates with additional short film projects through the Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers (SACD), Ciclic (the cultural agency of the Centre-Val-de-Loire Region), the European Conservatory of Audiovisual Writing, and the European Conservatory of Audiovisual Writing (CEEA).
More than 90% of ADAF graduates are employed in the animation industry. To date, more than 285 films have been made by graduates including four feature-length films (two won Césars ); 128 short films (2 Césars ); nearly 60 television series and specials; and 90+ commissioned films.
La Poudrière is a boutique, not-for-profit, animation film school housed in a former military cartridge factory known as La Cartoucherie. Launched in 1999, the school attracts artists who are already on the on the path to becoming animation directors and filmmakers. Since its inception, La Poudrière has welcomed more than 200 artists, with 120+ certified since 2009, and 95% obtaining global certification in the last several years.
In addition to being recognized by the French Ministry of Culture, La Poudrière has dual standing as a private institution of higher education and a vocational training center.
