Ciudad de la Luz launches a new trade school with 170 students
City of Light has kicked off a focused program developed in partnership with the School of Cinema and Audiovisual of Catalonia, ESCAC. This new course sits within a broader effort to build practical expertise in the motion picture and audiovisual industries. About 170 learners will begin this three month, hands on program today, designed to cover every stage of the film and audiovisual production process from a practical standpoint. It is meant to equip students with real world skills they can apply immediately in production environments across North America as well as Spain. This initiative reflects a strong trend toward experiential training in media professions, with an emphasis on industry readiness and career pathways.
The welcome speech from the general manager of the City of Light stressed the importance of education for regional development. The message highlighted how the Generalitat Valenciana views training in technical film industries as a powerful driver of economic diversification, job creation, and wealth generation. This alignment between education and industry needs is designed to support a pipeline of skilled professionals who can contribute to high quality film and television projects in Europe and beyond. (Cited: regional education authority statement)
In October, the organization also noted progress in this vocational training line, made possible through collaboration with ESCAC. The aim is to quickly bring new talent and professional teams into the market, especially for productions seeking to partner with Ciudad de la Luz. The plan includes rapid assembly of qualified personnel across all required disciplines to meet growing demand for film productions. (Attribution: program update report)
Ciudad de la Luz marks a milestone with 170 students starting
Officials described this moment as significant for the studios, signaling a strong forward trajectory. Preparations for a key shoot are slated for the first half of the year, signaling a return to busy production schedules and ongoing collaboration with ESCAC in training and placement. (Cited: studio leadership briefing)
Fifth cycle of the School of Commerce
There was enthusiastic turnout for the Basic Filmmaker course, with seats filled quickly in both morning and afternoon sessions from February 13 to June 4. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of a film project, from narrative development and audiovisual storytelling to on set production and postproduction workflows. The program also covers the essential operation of equipment and the software that underpins modern filmmaking. (Instructor note: practical curriculum emphasis)
Instruction is led by Juan Blanco, a longtime contributor to Ciudad de la Luz who previously studied at the Centre for the Ciudad de la Luz program. Blanco is a producer, director, and editor with a broad career that includes involvement on a television show that earned multiple Emmy awards. His experience adds a tangible link between classroom learning and professional production realities. (Profile reference: Blanco’s career and teaching role)
This course also includes hands on experience with set operations and a short film project that serves as a graduation piece. The project will be produced both on set and outdoors, giving students the opportunity to use the professional equipment required for various film productions. (Project outline and equipment list)
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This marks the fifth initiative between Ciudad de la Luz and ESCAC, following several successful programs designed to showcase specific professional skills. The roster includes lighting technicians and camera assistants, production coordinators, drone operators in audiovisual contexts, and technicians for audiovisual assembly. These efforts align with ESCAC’s Fast Forward cinematography track, which aims to merge academic training with real world production demands. (Program overview: skill tracks)
The collaboration also coincides with support from the University of Barcelona’s Adobe of free education contributions, backed by Ministry of Culture and Sports funding and the European Union New Generation funds. The emphasis remains on practical, job-ready training that helps graduates move directly into professional projects within both the regional and international film and television industries. (Funding and partnerships statement)