MOPA

What MOPA does

MoPA (Motion Picture in Arles) is a private higher education institution specializing in 3D animation and stop motion filmmaking, based at a single campus at 2 Rue Yvan Audouard in Arles, southern France. Founded in 1999, the school is one of the oldest 3D animation training establishments in France and operates as BRASSART RHONE ALPES SASU, a single-shareholder simplified joint-stock company with approximately €369-396K in share capital, wholly owned within the EDH Group (École des Hautes Études) network of French private higher education institutions. The school offers a 5-year Cinema d'Animation 3D program (BAC+5, RNCP Level 7), an optional 1-year preparatory class (MANAA), a newly announced 3-year Stop Motion program (RNCP Level 6, first intake September 2027), a VAE pathway for experienced professionals, and Erasmus+ exchange semesters with partner schools in Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany.

The school's core technology stack consists of industry-standard 3D animation tools — Maya, Houdini, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and Nuke for the 3D program, and DragonFrame for stop motion — taught across a full production pipeline covering pre-production (storyboard, concept art), 3D production (modeling, rigging, texturing, animation, lighting, FX), and post-production (compositing, rendering). MoPA's revenue model is tuition-based, charging fees for its multi-year programs; specific tuition amounts are not publicly disclosed. The school distributes via direct-to-consumer channels — its website, a dedicated admissions portal (concours.ecole-mopa.fr), open days, and private consultation appointments — and recruits primarily in France with an international orientation evidenced by its English-language site and Erasmus+ program. Student films are screened at 200+ international festivals via an exclusive distribution partnership with Yummy Films, and graduates are recruited by studios including Netflix, DreamWorks Animation, Mikros Animation, dneg, Framestore, Illumination Mac Guff, and others. In 2024, the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research granted MoPA the highest academic distinction: State recognition and authorization to award the BAC+5 accredited degree.

Name

MOPA

Legal name

BRASSART RHONE ALPES

Website

https://ecole-mopa.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MOPA is a private French higher education institution in Arles, founded in 1999, training students in 3D animation and stop motion filmmaking. It serves aspiring animation professionals through a 5-year BAC+5 program, a preparatory year, and a new Stop Motion track launching in 2027.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Arles

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and education fees: MoPA generates revenue through tuition fees charged for its 3D Animation and Stop Motion programs. The school is a private higher education establishment and charges fees for its five-year 3D animation program (plus an optional preparatory year) and its three-year Stop Motion program. CROUS scholarships are available to eligible students.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

MoPA is a private higher education establishment in Arles, France, operating for over 25 years and specializing in 3D animation and stop motion filmmaking. It offers a 5-year 3D Animation Cinema Program (BAC+5, RNCP Level 7), an optional preparatory year, a 3-year Stop Motion Program (RNCP Level 6, first intake September 2027), and a VAE pathway. The school trains students across the full production pipeline (pre-production, production, post-production) using industry-standard tools (Maya, Houdini, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Nuke, DragonFrame) and connects students to internships and recruitment at leading studios.

Product overview

MOPA is a private higher education institution in Arles, France, specializing in 3D animation and stop motion filmmaking. It operates three main educational programs: the 5-year 3D Animation Cinema Program (RNCP Level 7/BAC+5), the 3-year Stop Motion Program (RNCP Level 6, launching September 2027), and a Preparatory Year for foundational artistic training. The school also offers a VAE pathway and an Erasmus+ exchange program. MOPA is part of the EDH Group and is recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Student graduation films are actively distributed and awarded at international festivals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 3D Animation Cinema Program A 5-year program (BAC+5, RNCP Level 7) training students in 3D animation filmmaking across pre-production, production, and post-production. The first 3-year cycle teaches artistic and technical fundamentals; the 2-year advanced cycle allows specialization in either animation or image disciplines. Designed for prospective students seeking a State-recognized diploma and professional portfolio to enter animation, VFX, and game studios.
• Stop Motion Program A 3-year program training students in stop motion animation, covering artistic direction, puppet and set fabrication, image-by-image animation, filming, and post-production, using DragonFrame and related stop motion tools. First intake scheduled for September 2027, delivering a Level 6 RNCP qualification focused on directing professions. Designed for students seeking a professional diploma in stop motion direction.
• Preparatory Year (Classe Préparatoire / MANAA)

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% insertion rate into the targeted profession within 12 months of graduation (RNCP tracked indicator)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NetflixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetflix is a major streaming and production partner that works with MoPA by accepting students for internships. Netflix has also partnered with MoPA for student film distribution and recognition in the industry.
• DreamWorks AnimationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDreamWorks Animation is an international animation studio partner that accepts MoPA students for internships, providing exposure to one of the world's leading animation studios.
• Mikros AnimationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMikros Animation is a leading French animation studio that partners with MoPA by accepting students for internships. Mikros produces animated series and feature films for international clients.
• dnegcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerdneg is a major visual effects studio partner that accepts MoPA students for internships, offering real-world studio experience in VFX production.
• FramestorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFramestore is a prestigious visual effects studio partner that accepts MoPA students for internships, providing industry experience in high-end VFX and animation production.
• Oriental DreamworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriental Dreamworks (now Dreamworks Animation's Shanghai studio) partners with MoPA by accepting students for internships, providing international studio exposure.
• Yummy FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYummy Films is MoPA's exclusive festival distribution partner, ensuring that student films are submitted and screened at over 200 international animation festivals worldwide, a key differentiator for graduate visibility.
• RECAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRECA (Réseau des Écoles françaises de Cinéma d'Animation) is the network of reference French animation schools. MoPA is a member, contributing to industry-standard validation of graduate employment metrics and professional recognition.
• Erasmus+ Partner SchoolsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoPA is Erasmus+ certified, enabling students to spend a semester at partner animation schools in Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany. This provides international exchange opportunities for students.
• EDH GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoPA is part of the EDH Group (École des Hautes Études), a network of private higher education institutions in France. The group provides institutional infrastructure, shared resources, and cross-school collaboration across schools including EFAP, ICART, EFJ, Brassart, and others.
• CNC (Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CNC is the French National Center for Cinema and Animated Image, a government body that regulates and supports the French animation industry. MoPA's diplomas are aligned with standards tracked by the CNC, and its curriculum is shaped by the dynamism of the French animation sector documented by the CNC.
• Canal+ SeriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanal+ Series is a French premium television channel partner that accepts MoPA students for internships.
• GaumontminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGaumont is one of the oldest film production companies in the world, operating as a partner that accepts MoPA students for internships.
• ArteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArte is a European public television channel that partners with MoPA by accepting students for internships, providing exposure to public broadcasting production.
• Reel FXminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReel FX is an American animation studio partner that accepts MoPA students for internships.
• TeamTominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeamTo is a French animation studio partner that accepts MoPA students for internships, known for producing animated series for children.
• Super ProdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuper Prod is a French animation studio partner that accepts MoPA students for internships.
• BluespiritminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBluespirit is a French animation studio partner that accepts MoPA students for internships.
• Third FloorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird Floor is a visual effects and previz studio partner that accepts MoPA students for internships.
• Nexus StudiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNexus Studio is an animation studio partner that accepts MoPA students for internships.
• Brunch StudiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrunch Studio is a French animation studio partner that accepts MoPA students for internships.
• Passion ProductionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPassion Production is an animation studio partner that accepts MoPA students for internships.
• MilimagesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilimages is a French animation studio partner, part of the MoPA partner ecosystem.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vancouver Film School: Vancouver Film School is a leading international animation/VFX school offering intensive 1-2 year programs aligned to studio needs. Comparable in offering industry-pipeline training with strong studio placement, but competes in the international student market that MoPA targets.
• The Animation Workshop: The Animation Workshop is a Danish animation school offering professional bachelor's and master's programs with industry placement focus. Comparable European animation education peer with strong international reputation and studio partnerships.
• ISART Digital: ISART Digital is a private French school (with Montreal campus) offering programs in 3D animation, VFX, and game art. Competes with MoPA for the same student demographic and has multi-campus presence providing a scale advantage.
• ArtFX: ArtFX is a private French school in Montpellier specializing in VFX, 3D animation, and CGI, offering programs covering the same pre-production through post-production pipeline. Competes directly for French animation/VFX students with similar international studio placement goals.
• ESMA: ESMA is a private French school specializing in 3D animation, VFX, and game art with campuses in Montpellier, Paris, and international locations. Offers comparable RNCP-certified programs with industry-placement focus, directly competing for the same student profile.
• Brassart: Brassart is MoPA's sister school within the EDH Group, offering multi-campus animation and digital arts programs across French cities. Part of the same parent group; competes and collaborates within the broader EDH Group portfolio strategy.
• Supinfocom (Rubika): Supinfocom-Rubika is a leading French animation/VFX school offering a 5-year Master's program equivalent. One of MoPA's closest competitors in the French higher education animation market, with strong industry partnerships and international studio placements.
• La Poudrière: La Poudrière is a French animation school in Valence specializing in 2D and stop motion animation. Particularly relevant as MoPA's direct competitor in the new stop motion program launching in 2027, with strong reputation in auteur animation.
• Gobelins, l'école de l'image: Gobelins is the most prestigious French animation and digital arts school, offering comparable BAC+5 programs in 3D animation and VFX with the same industry-standard pipeline and major studio partnerships. Direct competitor for top French/international animation students.
• EMCA (École des Métiers du Cinéma d'Animation): EMCA is an Angoulême-based animation school focused on 2D and 3D animation, member of RECA alongside MoPA. Direct competitor in the French animation training market with a similar BAC+5 positioning and industry placement focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3HLzEA2zT9ofWp3HcT_9CA
• Facebookfacebook.com/ecole.mopa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/%C3%A9cole-mopa
• Instagraminstagram.com/ecole_mopa
• TikToktiktok.com/@ecolemopa
• Xx.com/ecolemopa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MOPA