The 10 Best Film Schools in Belgium

Film schools are totally worth it. Some people think otherwise because the film industry places more preference on experience than head-knowledge but the truth remains that the best place to gain experience in a structured and intensive manner is in a film school. 

As the name implies, a film school is an educational institution that specializes in filmmaking. They offer classes or programs in camera and filming technologies as well as producing, directing, acting, and scripting.

While it is not compulsory for people who want to work in the film or television industry to attend a film school, a film school gives you a complete understanding of how various components of filmmaking fit together. In film schools, you also get to carry out mini film projects which can be featured in your resume and help you land your first official job in the film industry. 

As long as you find a good film school that offers not just theoretical knowledge but also practical experience, you would do yourself a world of good to invest in it. Film schools in Belgium offer you the blend of what you need to be a professional filmmaker. 

In this article, we will be listing the ten film schools in Belgium you should consider if you want to be a pro filmmaker. Other important information like the tuition fees and admission requirements of these film schools in Belgium. 

How long does it take to finish film schools in Belgium?

Full-time undergraduate students normally complete their degrees within four years; part-time students may need closer to five years to complete their studies.

The Top 10 Best Film Schools in Belgium

The following are the best film schools in Belgium:

• IAD  – Institut des Arts de Diffusion in Louvain-la-Neuve
• LUCA School of Arts
• INSAS – Institut National Supérieur des Arts du Spectacle
• Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Visuels
• Royal Institute for Theatre, Cinema & Sound (RITCS)
• The Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp
• SAE Institute
• School of Arts-Campus Narafi
• Lemmensinstituut, Luca School Of Arts 
• Katholieke Hogeschool Mechelen

#1. IAD  – Institut des Arts de Diffusion in Louvain-la-Neuve

One of the best film schools in Belgium is the Institut des Arts de Diffusion (IAD – Institute of Media Arts), which was established in 1959 and is situated in Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve. The school’s goal is to provide interested students with courses in performing and visual arts.

The school participates in numerous film and theater festivals and juries at the regional, national, European, and worldwide levels as a member of CILECT (Centre worldwide de Liaison des Écoles de Cinéma et de Télévision – International Liaison Centre of Film and Television Schools).

Over 130 students are studying film and animation at the Institut des Arts de Diffusion, which enrolls over 550 students overall. International students are particularly welcome and account for about 30% of the student body. The tuition fee for this film school is $ 1,281.

Admission Details

To be accepted into the IAD’s bachelor’s degree programs, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:

• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Fill out the application and submit it.
• Pay the application cost.
• Ace the entrance exam

The entrance exam consists of an interview and a portfolio review. The portfolio assessment is meant to evaluate the applicant’s artistic abilities and creativity. The purpose of the interview is to determine whether the applicant is motivated and qualified for the program.

For more details on one of the best film schools in Belgium, click here.

#2. LUCA School of Arts

LUCA School of Arts is Flanders’ only university college dedicated entirely to art and design. The art school combines the capabilities and knowledge of five prominent Flemish higher education institutes for art and design (Sint-Lukas, Narafi, C-mine, Sint-Lucas, and Lemmens). LUCA has its campuses scattered across four cities (Brussels, Genk, Ghent, and Leuven). 

LUCA is well-known for its excellent curriculum and emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration. Students get the chance to collaborate on projects with peers from other programs, which helps them build a variety of knowledge and abilities. Many LUCA graduates pursue lucrative jobs as actors, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and painters since they are in high demand in the creative sectors. FilmEU, a European Universities Alliance for Film and Media Arts, also has LUCA as a member. Through this partnership, LUCA students can attend other FilmEU universities overseas and work on media and film projects with students from different countries.

The tuition fee for this film school in Belgium depends on the amount of credit courses a student registers for. There is a fixed fee of £282,10 and a variable fee of £13,50 per credit course registered.

Admission Details

Depending on the program you are applying for, you are required to meet a certain language requirement and pass an aptitude test. The artistic aptitude test is designed to assess the applicant’s skill and creativity. 

The LUCA School of Arts application period runs from October 1 to March 1. Applicants must complete and submit their application form online. Applicants must also submit their biographical information, academic transcripts, a portfolio or other evidence of artistic or professional achievement, and a letter of inspiration.

For more details on one of the best film schools in Belgium, click here

#3. INSAS – Institut National Supérieur des Arts du Spectacle

The Institut National Supérieur des Arts du Spectacle (INSAS) is a public higher education organization in Belgium that provides instruction in performing and audiovisual arts.

In 1962, INSAS was established to educate professionals in all facets of the performing arts, from acting and directing to set and costume design. 

The INSAS is a renowned institution in the field of arts education and training. The INSAS gives students the chance to train with some of Belgium’s most well-known artists and filmmakers and find their own unique artistic voice. The tuition fee for INSAS is $1,067.

Admission Details

The following are required to be admitted into INSAS;

• Have a diploma and/or have followed training and/or have professional and personal experience corresponding to the subjects taught in the chosen course;
• Pass the admission tests;
• Have a good knowledge of the French language.

The application process for INSAS opens from May 16 to August 16. 

For more details on one of the best film schools in Belgium, click here

#4. Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Visuels

In Brussels, Belgium, there is a public higher education institution called the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Visuels de La Cambre (ENSAV La Cambre). It is regarded as one of the top art and design institutions in Belgium and is renowned for its cutting-edge instructional strategies, which emphasize experimentation and innovation. The school was founded by Henry van de Velde, an architect and designer, in 1927. 

ENSAV La Cambre is located in the center of Brussels, hence it is close to numerous museums, galleries, and other cultural organizations. In addition to that though, the school has its own studios, workshops, and galleries which ensures that students of ENSAV La Cambre are well equipped to excel in their fields.

Admission Details

La Cambre is a highly selective institution with an acceptance rate of 10-19%. Like other film schools in Belgium already listed, ENSAV La Cambre has its aptitude test as a portfolio review and an interview. The application process for the school becomes open from the 15th of January to the 31st of March and applicants are required to submit an application form online.

For more details on one of the best film schools in Belgium, click here

#5. Royal Institute for Theatre, Cinema & Sound (RITCS)

The Royal Institute of Theatre, Cinema, and Sound (RITCS) is a public higher education institution in Brussels, Belgium that provides instruction in theatre, cinema, and sound. The RITCS is part of the Erasmus Hogeschool Brussel (EHB), a university college with around 17,000 students. The RITCS is renowned for its excellent instruction and its emphasis on hands-on learning. The institution has a lot of cutting-edge amenities, such as a theatre, a cinema, and a recording studio. The tuition fee for this film school in Belgium is estimated to be €961.90 plus the additional costs which depend on the program you are applying for.

Admission Details

You must first pass an artistic admission test if you want to start at the RITCS. A jury made up of RITCS instructors and other professionals from artistic fields reviews each application. They attempt to understand your creativity, playfulness, adaptability, personal fascination, style, current knowledge, and desire based on the admissions test. You would also be expected to prepare a personal file which consists of a motivation letter and your portfolio.

Registrations for the artistic entrance tests are closed for the academic year 2023-2024. You will be able to register for the 2024-2025 academic year in the spring of 2024. 

For more details on one of the best film schools in Belgium, click here

#6. The Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp

The Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp is a Belgian art school that goes by the Dutch name Koninklijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten van Antwerpen. It was established in 1663 by David Teniers the Younger, a painter to Archduke Leopold Wilhelm and Don Juan of Austria, and is one of the oldest institutions of its sort in Europe. Despite not being a film school, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp is a partner institution that provides art, films, and design programs in Belgium.

The tuition rate for all bachelor’s degree programs in this academy is as follows:

• For students whose nationality is that of an EEA-member state*, the regular cost is 253.6 euros plus 12.1 euros per credit (979.6 euros for 60 credits). 
• For students of other nationalities, the charge is increased to 400 euros plus 45 euros for each credit (3100 euros for 60 credits).

Admission Details

Registration for this school can begin by September 30th. You can find more information on the application of this school here

#7. SAE Institute

SAE Institute is a global provider of creative media education with over 50 campuses in 25 countries. Programs in audio engineering, music production, film, animation, digital design, and the entertainment industry are among the many creative media courses that SAE provides.

SAE is renowned for its practical, hands-on approach to education. Students have access to cutting-edge facilities and instruction from professionals in the field. Employers in the creative media industry value SAE graduates highly. Additionally, SAE Institute has solid connections with business partners, which presents students with chances for internships and post-graduation jobs.

Admission details

Since SAE Institute has 54 campuses across 28 countries, the tuition fee and admission requirements may vary depending on the nationality of the applicants, the campus location, and the program.

For more details on one of the best film schools in Belgium, visit their official website here

#8. School of Arts-Campus Narafi

The School of Arts-Campus Narafi is a branch of the LUCA School of Arts, a public higher education school in Belgium that provides arts education. The campus is situated in Brussels’ Forest municipality.

The School of Arts-Campus Narafi is renowned for its excellent instruction and emphasis on hands-on learning. The school is equipped with a multitude of cutting-edge resources, such as a darkroom, a photography studio, and a film studio. The School of Arts-Campus Narafi also holds several public activities, such as movie screenings, exhibitions, and seminars, in addition to its academic offerings. The LUCA Gallery, which features the art of current students and alumni, is located on the campus.

For more details on one of the best film schools in Belgium, visit their official website here

#9. Lemmensinstituut, Luca School Of Arts 

The Lemmensinstituut is a branch of the LUCA School of Arts, a public higher education school in Belgium that provides arts education. Though Leuven’s Lemmensinstituut is mostly renowned for placing a heavy emphasis on music instruction.

For more details on one of the best film schools in Belgium, visit their official website here

#10. Katholieke Hogeschool Mechelen

Katholieke Hogeschool Mechelen (KHM) is a public university college in the Belgian town of Mechelen. With more than 10,000 students, it is one of the biggest university colleges in Belgium.

KHM provides a Film and Media bachelor’s degree program. The curriculum is created to give students the abilities and information needed to work in the film and television industries. Film production, film editing, film directing, and film writing are all covered in the program. In addition, the curriculum provides several possible specialties, including game design, animation, and documentary filmmaking.

For international students, the cost of tuition and fees for the Film and Media program is €9,900 annually.

FAQs 

Which degree is best for film?

In film studies, undergraduates are typically granted a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). Graduate programs in filmmaking, cinema studies, or film theory are available, and you can obtain a Master of Arts (M.A. ), Master of Fine Arts (M.FA. ), or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D)

What is the hardest film school to get into?

The admittance rate at the University of Southern California is 16%. The Los Angeles school was named first in America for cinema and photography this year by Niche.

Conclusion 

These 10 film schools in Belgium are the best you should consider if you want to get all the benefits of learning filmmaking in a structured manner. These film schools in Belgium promise to give you a sense of direction, a base of knowledge, experience, and connections you can draw from while building your career in the film industry. 

If you found this article helpful, make sure to share it on your social media handles. Who knows, another filmmaking enthusiast may find it helpful too! 

Recommended

Top 5 Best Film Schools in the Philippines

10 Best Art Programs in the World 2023

Top 6 Best Online Law Schools in Florida