What 3iS Education does

3iS Education (Institut International de l'Image et du Son) is a French private higher education institution founded in 1988, specializing in creative arts and audiovisual professions. The school operates five purpose-built campuses across France—Paris Ouest (headquarters, 17,000 m²), Bordeaux Bègles (6,500 m²), Lyon Bron (5,000 m², opened 2020), Nantes (3,600 m², opened 2021), and Avignon (opened September 2024)—serving approximately 2,700 enrolled students from 60 nationalities. Programs span cinema and audiovisual production, sound engineering, acting, video game development, 2D/3D animation, and live performance and event management, delivered at academic levels from Bac to Bac+5.

The institution offers credentials through two parallel pathways: the state-recognized DESTIS diploma (diplôme visé, authorized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research in 2020 via Arrêté du 20-07-2020, the only such recognition in France in this sector) and nine RNCP-registered professional certifications covering Levels 4-7. Teaching is delivered by more than 1,000 active professional instructors using professional-grade equipment (ARRI, RED, Blackmagic, Sony cameras, plus DaVinci Resolve, Avid, Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator). Infrastructure totals over 30,000 m² of pedagogical spaces, complemented by partnerships with equipment providers (ARRI, Blackmagic, Panavision), cultural institutions (Académie des César, Hellfest, Sarlat and 3 Continents film festivals), and international networks (Erasmus+, CILECT, GEECT).

3iS generates revenue primarily through annual tuition fees ranging from €8,700 to €9,900 per year depending on program level, supplemented by continuing education programs (3iS Executive), apprenticeship/alternance contracts funded by company apprenticeship taxes from 1,000+ partner companies, VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience) certification services, and student-residence rental income. The institution operates under family governance—President Jean-Claude Walter since 2007 and Vice-President Lucile Walter-Sharma—with a stated policy of independent development without external investment funds. Graduate employment rates of 85-100% within six months across programs (89% overall) and an alumni base exceeding 6,200 from initial training support a direct-to-consumer acquisition model combining website lead capture, open days, discovery workshops, auditions, and corporate partnerships.

Name

3iS Education

Legal name

Institut International de l'Image et du Son (3iS)

Website

https://3is-education.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

3iS Education is a French private higher education institution operating five campuses, training ~2,700 students in cinema, audiovisual, sound, acting, video games, animation, and live performance, offering the state-recognized DESTIS diploma and nine RNCP certifications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education in Creative Arts

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF)

Keywords

• Creative arts education
• Film school programs
• Audiovisual training
• Animation degree
• Video game education

Headquarters

HQ city

Élancourt, Ile-de-France

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Initial Training: Annual tuition fees for initial training programs ranging from €8,700 to €9,900 depending on year of study and program level. Programs include Bachelor (3 years), Mastère (2 years), and preparatory classes.
2. Continuing Education (Formation Continue): Professional development and continuing education programs for career changers and professionals seeking certification via VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience)
3. Apprenticeship/Alternance Revenue: Work-study programs where companies pay apprenticeship taxes to fund student training, available in most programs for eligible students

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

3iS Education is a French private higher education institution founded in 1988 that delivers accredited degree programs (BTS, Bachelor, and Mastère/Bac+5 levels) in cinema, audiovisual production, sound engineering, 2D/3D animation, video game design, acting, and live performance arts across five campuses in France (Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Montpellier) and Atlanta. Programs combine classroom instruction by industry professionals with hands-on training using professional-grade equipment and software.

Product overview

3iS Education (Institut International de l'Image et du Son) is a multi-campus French film and creative arts school founded in 1988, operating as a unified educational institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs across cinema, audiovisual production, sound engineering, acting, video game development, animation, and live performance production. The institution delivers programs at multiple academic levels (Bac to Bac+5) through two primary credential pathways: the state-recognized DESTIS degree (diplôme visé) accessible via Parcoursup, and professional titles registered in the RNCP (Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles). Programs include Bachelor degrees in Cinéma & Audiovisuel, Sound Engineering, Acting, Video Games, and Animation; Mastère (Master's) programs in Screenwriting & Directing, Production, Animation, and Video Games; an MBA in Production Management; technical diplomas for exhibition and live performance technicians; a BTS in Communication; and a preparatory year. The school operates five campuses (Paris Ouest, Bordeaux Bègles, Lyon Bron, Nantes, Avignon) and maintains international partnerships through Erasmus+, CILECT, and GEECT networks, along with a Summer School program and continuing education offerings via 3iS Executive. Supporting services include VAE (experience validation), student housing, career services, and international exchange programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor Cinéma Three-year undergraduate degree program in cinema covering directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, and production, designed for post-baccalaureate students seeking careers in filmmaking.
• Bachelor Audiovisuel Three-year undergraduate degree in audiovisual production covering documentary filmmaking, television production, and digital media content creation for aspiring audiovisual professionals.
• Bachelor Son Three-year undergraduate degree in sound engineering covering studio recording, live sound, mixing, and music production for students pursuing audio engineering careers.
• Bachelor Jeux Vidéo Three-year undergraduate degree in video game design covering game design, programming, 3D modeling, and production pipeline for aspiring game industry professionals.
• Bachelor Cinéma d'Animation 2D/3D Three-year undergraduate degree in 2D and 3D animation, computer-generated imagery, and visual effects for students targeting animation studios and VFX houses.
• Bachelor Acting Three-year undergraduate degree in acting taught in French and English, covering on-camera performance, voice acting, and stage techniques for aspiring professional actors.
• Bachelor Live Performance Three-year undergraduate degree in live performance production covering event management, stage production, lighting, and performance technology for the live events industry.
• Mastère Cinéma Two-year master's-level degree program (Bac+5) offering advanced specializations in directing, screenwriting, cinematography, post-production, and producing for cinema graduates.
• Mastère Audiovisuel Two-year master's-level degree program in advanced audiovisual production, digital media strategy, and content production leadership.
• Mastère Son Two-year master's-level degree program in advanced sound engineering, audio post-production, and immersive sound design.
• Mastère Jeux Vidéo Two-year master's-level degree program in advanced video game design, game production management, and interactive media development.
• Mastère Cinéma d'Animation 2D/3D Two-year master's-level degree program in advanced 2D/3D animation, VFX supervision, and animation production management.
• BTS Métiers de l'Audiovisuel Two-year BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur) technical diploma in audiovisual production covering camera, editing, post-production, and production management.
• BTS Son Two-year BTS technical diploma in sound techniques covering recording, mixing, and sound for live events and studio productions.
• Prépas Cinéma, Audiovisuelle, Son, Jeux Vidéo, Acting, et Live Performance One-year preparatory programs (Prépa) designed to prepare post-baccalaureate students for entry into Bachelor's degree programs across cinema, audiovisual, sound, video game, acting, and live performance disciplines.
• Lycée 3iS (High School Programs) High school programs (première and terminale) offering performing arts specialization tracks for students aged 15-18, integrated within the 3iS Paris campus.
• Formation Continue (Continuing Education) Continuing education programs for working professionals seeking reskilling, upskilling, or career transitions in cinema, audiovisual, sound, animation, and video game disciplines, including alternance/work-study options.
• Stages d'Été (Summer Workshops) Short-duration summer workshop programs (stages d'été) for high school students and adults exploring creative disciplines including cinema, sound, video games, animation, and acting.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% employment rate at 6 months after graduation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Académie des CésarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution partnership with France's primary film academy. Students participate in productions and events connected to the César Awards, providing high-profile industry exposure and networking opportunities.
• Académie des LumièrescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with organization recognizing best foreign films. Students benefit from pedagogical projects and cultural events linked to this international film recognition body.
• Hellfest – Le OffmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with one of Europe's largest metal music festivals. Students gain hands-on experience in live event production, sound, lighting, and stage management at a major cultural event.
• Festival du Film de SarlatmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor French film festival partnership providing student production opportunities and industry exposure in the cinema sector.
• Festival des 3 ContinentsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational film festival in Nantes with pedagogical partnership allowing student participation in festival productions and events.
• ARRImajorTechnology or IntegrationEquipment partnership with leading cinema camera manufacturer. Provides students access to professional-grade ARRI camera systems for training.
• Blackmagic DesignmajorTechnology or IntegrationTechnology integration partnership providing students access to Blackmagic cameras, video switchers, and DaVinci Resolve software for editing and color grading.
• Provence StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm studio partnership providing production experience and industry exposure for students.
• Centre des monuments nationauxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with French national monuments body providing cultural heritage sites for student productions.
• Erasmus+coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Union education program membership providing exchange scholarships for studies and internships across Europe. 3iS holds Erasmus+ Charter 2020-2027.
• CILECTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of International Association of Film, Television and Multimedia Schools - international network for academic collaboration and student exchanges.
• GEECTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of European Group of Film and Television Schools - participates in international collaborative projects including 48h European Interschool Challenge.
• CST (Commission Supérieure Technique de l'Image et du Son)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with French technical standards organization for cinema and audiovisual industry.
• Oxford Brookes UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK university partnership for student exchange and international academic collaboration.
• Vancouver Film SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian film school partnership for international student exchanges and collaborative projects.
• NYU Tisch School of the ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious US film school partnership for international academic exchange programs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• GOBELINS, l'école de l'image: Paris-based public school renowned for 2D/3D animation, interactive design and photography. Most direct peer to 3iS's Bachelor and Mastère Cinéma d'Animation programs and a leading benchmark for French animation education.
• Vancouver Film School: Canadian private film school offering one-year programs across film, animation, game design, sound and acting. Already an exchange partner of 3iS; international private-sector peer at comparable tuition and program-mix positioning.
• LISAA (L'Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués): French private school with multi-city campuses covering animation, video games, graphic design, fashion and interior architecture. Comparable private-sector, multi-campus creative-arts operator with overlapping animation and game programs.
• ArtFx: French private school in Montpellier delivering programs in filmmaking, 3D animation, VFX and video games. Direct peer across multiple verticals that 3iS also covers (film, animation, game).
• ENS Louis-Lumière: French public Grande École covering cinematography, sound engineering and photography. Direct peer to 3iS's sound engineering and image tracks with overlapping RNCP-equivalent national recognition.
• ESRA (École Supérieure de Réalisation Audiovisuelle): French private film and audiovisual school operating multiple campuses, offering BTS, Bachelor and Mastère programs in cinema, sound, animation and post-production. Closest private-sector competitor to 3iS in scope, scale and tuition positioning.
• CinéFabrique: Lyon-based French film school offering BTS, Bachelor and Mastère programs in directing, producing, cinematography, editing and sound. Regional direct peer to 3iS's Lyon Bron campus.
• La Fémis (Fondation européenne pour les métiers de l'image et du son): Prestigious French public film school (Grande École) training directors, producers, screenwriters, editors, sound engineers and cinematographers. Direct peer on curriculum depth in cinema/audiovisual, though positioned at higher prestige and lower student volume than 3iS.

Broad incumbents

• NYU Tisch School of the Arts: US private institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs across film, television, animation, game design, music and performing arts. Existing 3iS exchange partner; broader in scope and far larger in scale, serving as a top-tier international benchmark.

Emerging players

• Le Fresnoy – Studio National des Arts Contemporains: French national studio-school in Tourcoing focused on contemporary audiovisual and digital arts. Comparable to 3iS in audiovisual production training but more specialised on contemporary/experimental art and digital creation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=OjXZwsQoNoA&list=PLrqQxF69NTtLuld8hBudsc-TaVZz_fb62
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/3is-education

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 3iS Education