ISIS-SE (Institut Superieur de l'Image et du Son / Studio-Ecole)

Overview

The Institut Superieur de l'Image et du Son / Studio-Ecole (ISIS-SE) is a public higher education institution in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, dedicated to training filmmakers in cinema and audiovisual production. Founded by government decree on February 8, 2006, it operates under the Ministry of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism (MCCAT) as a Public Establishment of Scientific, Cultural and Technical Character (EPSCT). ISIS-SE is a full member of CILECT (the International Association of Film and Television Schools).

The school occupies a unique position in African cinema education. Ouagadougou hosts FESPACO (Festival Panafricain du Cinema et de la Television de Ouagadougou), the largest and most important film festival on the African continent, held biennially. ISIS-SE students get direct access to FESPACO's screenings, industry events, and networking opportunities. At FESPACO 2025, students registered for free festival access for the first time, connecting with filmmakers, distributors, and funding bodies from across Africa and the international community.

ISIS-SE has trained students from approximately 18 nationalities since its founding. Current cohorts include students from Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Chad, and Togo. Teaching is conducted in French by academics, high-level professionals from across Africa, and instructors from film schools in Belgium, France, the United States, and Canada.

History

ISIS-SE is the latest stage in a decades-long effort to establish film education in Burkina Faso:

• 1977-1987: INAFEC (Institut Africain d'Education Cinematographique) - the first African film school, which trained many of the continent's most recognized filmmakers before closing after 10 years
• 1998: Etats generaux du cinema - African filmmakers' conference recommended renewed investment in film training
• 2002: PROFIS (Programme de relance de la Formation aux metiers de l'Image et Son) - a revival program established under the Direction de la Cinematographie Nationale
• 2004: IRIS (Institut Regional de l'Image et du Son) - transitional structure with sub-regional scope
• 2006: ISIS-SE - formal establishment as a public institution by decree n 2006-032/PRES/PM/MFB/MCAT
• 2008: Studio-Ecole - a studio-school component added for continuing education, project support, and technical services
• 2017: EPSCT status - formalized as a Public Establishment of the State with Scientific, Cultural and Technical character

Programs Offered

Licence (Bachelor's Degree) - 3 years

Licence en Image, Son, Production, Realisation et Montage

A three-year full-time program covering directing, cinematography, sound, production, and editing. Students specialize in their final year.

Tuition fees:

• Residents (Burkina Faso): 1st and 2nd year: 953 EUR per year. 3rd year: 1,258 EUR
• Non-residents: 1st and 2nd year: 1,258 EUR per year. 3rd year: 1,563 EUR

Master's Degree - 2 years

Master en Son, Production, Realisation et Montage

A two-year full-time graduate program for advanced specialization in sound, production, directing, or editing.

Tuition fees:

• Residents: 1,258 EUR per year (Master 1 and Master 2)
• Non-residents: 1,563 EUR per year (Master 1 and Master 2)

Continuing Education and Short Courses

The Studio-Ecole component offers professional development workshops and intensive courses for working professionals. These are organized in partnership with international cultural organizations including Africalia, which has supported tuition fees for 2nd and 3rd year students and co-produced end-of-year films.

Facilities and Approach

ISIS-SE addresses the specific realities of filmmaking in the African context: limited budgets, resourceful production methods, and stories that draw on the rich oral and visual traditions of the continent. The school combines academic instruction with hands-on production training.

The Studio-Ecole provides cutting-edge technical services and enables students to work alongside visiting professionals on real productions. This dual structure (academic institute plus working studio) gives students exposure to professional workflows during their studies.

End-of-cycle defenses are held regularly. In August 2025, the second wave of defenses saw over 20 students present their productions to juries, including documentary projects, fiction films, and technical specializations.

Admission and Application

ISIS-SE admits students annually. The application process typically opens in the spring for the following academic year. Applicants must demonstrate a baccalaureat or equivalent for the Licence program, and a relevant Licence for the Master's program. Instruction is in French, and applicants must demonstrate French language proficiency.

The school attracts applicants from across Francophone Africa. International students from CILECT partner schools may also participate in exchange programs.

FESPACO Connection

FESPACO is a biennial festival held in Ouagadougou, and ISIS-SE's location in the host city provides direct exposure to the African film industry at scale. The festival brings together filmmakers, distributors, producers, and funding bodies from across the continent and the international community.

At FESPACO 2025, ISIS-SE students were granted free festival registration for the first time. Students used the festival to network with professionals, attend screenings of African and international films, and connect with potential employers and collaborators. The festival also provides a platform for ISIS-SE graduates to screen their work and build industry relationships.

Notable Alumni and Graduate Outcomes

ISIS-SE graduates work in film and television production across Francophone West Africa. The school's alumni contribute to the growing pan-African film industry and participate in FESPACO and other continental film events.

The rise of Nollywood in Nigeria, the growth of streaming platforms investing in African content (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Canal+), and increased production across Francophone Africa create expanding opportunities for trained filmmakers from ISIS-SE. Graduates have worked on productions distributed through African film markets and international festivals.

Specific graduate credits include work on films such as L'Absence (2015, directed by N. Nare, with ISIS-SE credited for production) and other productions supported through the Studio-Ecole.

What Students Should Know

Language: All instruction is in French. Applicants must be proficient in French. Some international partnerships bring English-speaking instructors for specific workshops.

Cost: Tuition at ISIS-SE is among the lowest of any CILECT member school. For residents of Burkina Faso, the full 3-year Licence costs approximately 3,164 EUR total. For non-residents, the total is approximately 4,079 EUR. The Master's program costs 2,516 EUR total for residents and 3,126 EUR for non-residents. These figures do not include living expenses in Ouagadougou, which are low by international standards but represent a real investment in the Burkinabe economic context.

Financial aid: The school does not have a comprehensive scholarship program, but international cultural organizations such as Africalia have historically funded student places and supported tuition fees for specific cohorts. Prospective students should inquire directly with the school about available support.

Security considerations: Burkina Faso has experienced security challenges in recent years due to regional instability. Prospective students should consult their home country's travel advisories and the school's current security guidance before applying.

Industry context: Burkina Faso has one of the strongest cinematic traditions in West Africa, built by filmmakers like Idrissa Ouedraogo (Grand Prix at Cannes 1990 for Tilai) and Gaston Kabore (Grand Prix at FESPACO for Wend Kuuni). ISIS-SE trains the next generation within this tradition.

See Also

For understanding African cinema and distribution markets, see International Film Markets. To plan your production budget for low-resource filmmaking contexts, use the Production Budget Calculator. For calculating return on investment for festival submissions, use the Festival ROI Calculator.