You do not study a film production. You enter one.
8 filmmakers · 8 short films · 1 feature
Nouvelle Vague is a hands-on film school built around a genuine French independent film production. You do not simply attend classes and then make an exercise. You go through the real life of a film — from development to financing, production, post-production and distribution.
Eight filmmakers each direct an original short film — and together those eight films become one coherent feature. Each filmmaker develops and directs an original short film that can exist independently. But the eight films are also conceived together as chapters of one coherent feature-length film. The stories may share characters, places, themes, events or narrative connections. Each filmmaker leaves with real directing experience and an individual short film — while the whole class creates one ambitious feature together.
Your film stands alone. Together, they become a feature.
You direct one film. You crew on seven. Every participant directs their own short film and also works on the seven others — as assistant director, cinematographer, producer, production designer, sound, editor or another position. You tell us which position you want on the other films. A cinematographer can shoot the other seven. A producer can produce them. Others prefer to rotate across departments. We build the crews around what each person wants to do and what each film needs.
Working on the other films is a condition of joining, not an option. It is also where most of the learning happens: you will spend more days on set as crew than as a director.
You are never left alone on set. Established French film professionals supervise every stage of the production — assistant directors, technicians and crew who work in the industry every day. Professional actors are cast in Paris. The post-production is carried out in professional facilities: editing, sound editing, ADR, sound design, music, mix, color grading, subtitles, master, DCP.
You hold real positions on real films, with people who do this for a living standing next to you. That is the difference between crewing on a student exercise and crewing on a production.
The program is open to cinematographers, producers, production designers, editors and other film professionals who want to work on real independent films, build credits and gain experience inside a French production.
One condition: everyone directs their own short film. There is no crew-only place. If you come as a cinematographer, you shoot the other films and you direct yours. Same price, same production, same means for everyone.
The feature is produced by a real French production company under professional French cinema rules. Participants experience how a French independent film is actually built — from development to distribution. France has a distinctive cinema ecosystem combining public film policy, producers, CNC mechanisms, tax incentives, broadcasters, distributors, regional funding and private financing.
Each edition is structured as a genuine French feature-film production, with CNC approval and professional financing opportunities pursued by the producer whenever the film is eligible. CNC approval, subsidies, broadcaster financing and distribution are never guaranteed. They are pursued professionally, like in any real production.
Professional French ADs and film professionals supervise the production. Professional actors are found through real casting. Professional cinema equipment is available according to the artistic needs of the film — including RED Digital Cinema, ARRI, cinema lenses, professional sound, lighting and grip. The equipment is not the course. The film is the course.
The film continues into professional post-production: editing, sound editing, ADR when required, sound design, music, professional mix, color grading, subtitles, master, DCP, trailer and poster.
Once finished, the producer and filmmakers genuinely try to make the film live. We approach festival programmers, French distributors, international sales agents, broadcasters, producers, actors’ agents and industry professionals. We don’t simulate distribution. We try to distribute the film. No festival, distributor, broadcaster or sale is ever guaranteed.
This is an intensive production. Expect early calls, late edits, rewrites, casting sessions, production meetings, location problems, deadlines, long shooting days and intense post-production. If you want three months of vacation in Paris, this is probably not for you. If you want to make a film, welcome.
Pre-registration for the first edition is open. The path is: Apply → Interview → Accepted → Contract → Enrollment. No commitment, no payment on site.
Don’t just study film. Make your film.