Diploma in Cinematography in Bilbao: Comprehensive Training in Visual Storytelling

El programa

Over the course of three years, the programme prepares you to understand and develop the work of the Cinematography department in all its dimensions. You will learn to work with light, framing, colour, lenses, and camera movement, taking part in the key creative and technical processes of any audiovisual production.

El contexto

Studying at ECPV also means training in Bilbao, one of the most promising audiovisual environments today. The school is part of a growing context, with more and more shoots, productions, and opportunities in Bilbao and Bizkaia, making it an especially stimulating place to specialise and begin building your path in cinematography.

Dates

October 2026

5 October 2026 to 25 June 2027

Enrollments

Enrollment is Open

Until 25 September 2026

Timetable

From October to June: Afternoon schedule from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

From October to June:

Afternoon schedule from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Formation hours

1 h

More than 1,400 teaching hours and joint practical training to learn Cinematography through a technical, creative approach fully focused on real on-set work.

Information

Small groups.
Specialized Masterclasses.
Own title.

Request Information

Fill in the form below and tell us which program you are interested in.

We Send You All the Details

Our admissions team will send you a complete dossier about your chosen program: content, dates, fees and everything you need to know.

We Answer Your Questions

We are here to help. Contact us or book an appointment if you have any questions about ECPV after receiving the information.

Enrol Online

Ready to take the next step? Complete the enrolment form at this link and secure your place.

Target audience

This diploma has been designed for anyone who wishes to explore their artistic concerns within the framework of a cinematographic work from its lighting and visual facets. It is highly recommended to have linguistic virtues, general culture, photographic interests and the capacity for both effort and group work. Any previous training in audiovisual, art history, photography or fine arts will be beneficial to the student.

Who you'll become

As director or director of photography of a cinematographic work. Once you successfully complete the degree, you will be able to assume photographic authorship of a fiction project, working together with all the departments involved in the development of a film. You will know all the vocabulary, all the techniques and all the debates that enliven cinematographic creation from its photographic approach. Likewise, you will be able to collaborate in making decisions that cover issues of lighting, optics, framing, composition and colorimetry.

In any member of the photography direction department of a work of fiction, thus knowing the responsibilities and functions of a camera operator, a camera assistant, a camera assistant, a machinist, a DIT, a Video Assist, a colorist or a gaffer and an electrician.

ECPV PRACTICA LUZ FUEGO 2025 21 Finales resized

Our way of teaching

You will begin by acquiring all the vocabulary essential for understanding and thinking about cinematography. Once this common language is established, you will assimilate all the necessary protocols for carrying out a film work, whether it is typical of a pre-production, filming or post-production phase. Immediately, you will experience the creative process within the framework of a so-called institutional cinema and then explore the counterproposals developed throughout History. Finally, you will synthesize everything you have learned in a final stage where you can formalize your own vision in accordance with the contemporaneity of our discipline.

Study plan

For more information about our study plan, fill out the form and contact us.

Enrollment, registration and prices

Request all the information by filling out the contact form, writing us an email, calling us by phone or visiting us in person.

We will send you all the necessary information so that you can register.

Name and surname

Telephone

Place

Message

Do you want to visit the school?

Yes No

Do you agree to sign up for our newsletter?

Yes No

I have read and accept the

Formación Dirección de Fotografía Lanbroa 7

Contacts

Escuela de Cine del País Vasco

Email:

info@ecpv.es

Phone:

+34 94 608 85 50

Open in WhatsApp

Address:

C/ Mina San Luis 20, Miribilla Bilbao
Ver mapa

Customer service schedule

From Monday to Friday:
9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays closed

Diploma Program Content

Nombre	Descripción
Dramaturgia	Introducción a la dramaturgia y la estructura narrativa: desde Aristóteles hasta la posmodernidad.
Lenguaje	Introducción a conceptos de lenguaje, de lenguaje artístico y de lenguaje cinematográfico.
Ontología cinematográfica	De la superficie a la esencia cinematográfica.
Historia del cine	Del protocine a la hypermodernidad.
Ontología y Praxis de la Dirección de Fotografía	Retos, desafíos, fondo e implicaciones de la dirección de fotografía.
Cámaras, ópticas e Imagen	Propiedades de la imagen y sus correlaciones materiales.
Fuentes y tipos de luz	Comprensión y desarrollo de la cuestión lumínica aplicada al cine de ficción y a las narrativas visuales.
Esquemas y tipos de iluminación	Investigación práctica de los modos de iluminación narrativa y sus efectos.
Composición y movimientos	Pensamiento narrativo y plástico del encuadre cinematográfico.
Trabajos y talleres prácticos	Aplicación a la práctica cinematográfica de los conceptos teóricos vistos en clase.
Colorimetría	De la teoría del color al etalonaje.
Filosofía estética	Introducción a la filosofía estética contemporánea
LAB Largometraje	Del cortometraje al largometraje: fundamentos y desarrollo de un proyecto de largometraje.
Investigación	De la elección del tema y el marco a la metodología
Historia del arte	Introducción a la Historia del Arte.

FAQ - Questions and Answers

What will I learn in the Film Directing course?

You will learn to develop your vision as a director, from the conception of an idea to the final production, working with screenwriters, actors, and technicians to build your own visual language.

What is the duration of the Film Directing course?

The Film Directing diploma lasts three years, during which students progress from learning technical and narrative fundamentals to directing complex and professional projects.

Is it necessary to have prior experience to enroll?

This diploma program is designed for those who see the world through light.

For those who look at a face and perceive contrast, color, and shadow.

For those who feel that the camera not only captures but also interprets reality.

If you're drawn to how light defines the emotional tone of a scene, if you're fascinated by how a composition can change the meaning of a story, then this is the place for you. Cinematography is for those who want to tell stories with their vision, for those who understand that every shot is an aesthetic and emotional choice.

You don't need prior experience, just curiosity, sensitivity, and discipline. Here you'll learn to create intentional images, to think of light as a language, and to understand the camera as an extension of your gaze.

How is student progress evaluated?

Through practical work, class participation, guided exercises, and the completion of a final project, which is assessed both technically and creatively.

Does the course offer networking or job placement opportunities?

Yes, you will collaborate with students from other specialties and take part in real film shoots, helping you build a strong professional network from the very beginning.

Can I present my own project as part of the course?

Yes, the course encourages the development of original ideas. You will be able to submit personal proposals and work on them under the guidance of the faculty.

What kind of projects will I carry out during the course?

You will complete several practical exercises, including short films and scenes, covering all phases of the filmmaking process: scriptwriting, shooting, and post-production.

Who are the course instructors?

The teaching team is made up of active professionals from the film industry: directors, screenwriters, editors, and producers with extensive experience in the field. Watch Teachers

Is any type of certificate awarded upon completion of the course?

Yes, you will receive a certificate from the school that validates your participation and the knowledge gained throughout the course.

Will I have access to technical materials and filming equipment?

Yes, you will have access to professional cameras, lighting and sound equipment, and editing rooms to carry out your projects following industry standards. Watch facilities

More Info
Here’s why you should study Direction of photography en ECPV