The School of Cinematography and Audiovisual of the Community of Madrid (ECAM) is once again ranked among the top fifteen in the world according to The Hollywood Reporter. It is the only institution from Madrid in this ranking.
ECAM, located in the City of Image in Pozuelo de Alarcón, has achieved this recognition for the eighth consecutive year. The American publication The Hollywood Reporter values the quality of training, educational innovation, and links to the industry.
To compile the list, the magazine consults educators, industry professionals, students, and experts. The Madrid school stands out for its predominantly practical model, which keeps students in constant contact with production companies, networks, and post-production firms.
Founded in 1995 as a non-profit cultural foundation, ECAM has trained over 4,500 filmmakers and professionals. Among its alumni are Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, Paco Plaza, Sandra Romero, Fernando Franco, and Pilar Palomero.
This academic year, the school launches a new academic model: diplomas will last four years, with transversal teaching and progressive specialization. It also introduces a Master's in Audiovisual Post-Production, which joins programs like Film Restoration and Preservation and Entertainment Marketing.
ECAM continues its commitment to bringing cinema closer to younger audiences. Its Audiovisual Literacy area has taken Órbita Cine to 6,800 students from 40 educational centres during the 2025/26 academic year, with the next call opening in September. It also promotes projects like Cine-Craft and the Urban Camp.
In the realm of emerging talent, The Incubator celebrates its tenth anniversary with films that have emerged from it, such as Cinco lobitos and 20,000 species of bees. The school also features La Distribuidora, the first ECAM Talent Fair, and the consolidation of ECAM Forum as a European platform for independent cinema, with four projects premiering at A-list festivals. Additionally, the second edition of FINDE, supported by the Madrid Audiovisual Cluster, will strengthen the connection between independent cinema and private investment.
The regional government allocates 1.8 million euros annually in grants to the ECAM Foundation to support its activities and maintenance. The Community of Madrid is home to over 3,500 companies in the audiovisual sector, generating 2.3 billion euros in direct economic contribution and a total impact of 7.2 billion, sustaining over 100,000 jobs. This network of training centres, production companies, and studios makes the region one of the main audiovisual creation hubs in Europe.
The recognition from The Hollywood Reporter reinforces ECAM's position as an international reference and highlights the region's role in film, series, animation, and video games. Those interested in learning about the training offerings can visit the official school website, where information for the upcoming academic year is already available.
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