To answer these questions and help prospective students, their families and careers advisers better understand the realities of the sector, CinéCréatis has published its new white paper: ‘Cinema and the audiovisual sector: understanding the changes in the sector to make better career choices’.
A sector undergoing far-reaching change
Since 2020, the film and audiovisual landscape has undergone numerous changes. The health crisis, changing viewing habits, the rise of streaming platforms, the fallout from the Hollywood strikes and the development of artificial intelligence: all these factors are contributing to changes in production methods, formats and the skills required.
However, these changes do not mean the end of careers in the visual media. Rather, they point to a sector that is reshaping itself, with new opportunities and increasingly diverse career paths.
In France, the film industry in particular retains a solid foundation: 181.5 million cinema admissions in 2024, a 44.8 per cent market share for French films and 309 films approved for release that year. In the audiovisual sector, subsidised production in 2024 accounted for a budget of 2 billion euros and 4,353 hours of supported programmes.
New formats, new skills
Feature films remain a major career path, but they are no longer the only option for professionals in the visual arts.
Short fiction films, series, documentaries, advertising, brand content, digital content, filming, post-production, VFX, virtual production and even immersive formats: the areas in which audiovisual professionals can practise their trades have multiplied.
This diversification goes hand in hand with a shift in the skills required. Professionals are now expected to develop more versatile skill sets, capable of combining technical expertise, visual literacy, creativity and an understanding of the entire production chain.
Artificial intelligence: a new tool, new challenges
Artificial intelligence now plays a significant role in audiovisual workflows. Whether it’s visual search, content generation, the automation of certain tasks, post-production support or image exploration, its applications are beginning to become part of professional practice.
This white paper aims to take a step back and examine this development. The challenge is not simply to learn how to use new tools, but also to understand how they are transforming the industry and how they can be integrated into an artistic and professional approach.
Providing guidance to help people find their way
In the face of these changes, choosing a course in film and the audiovisual sector requires a clear understanding of the reality of the industry and the variety of possible career paths.
This is precisely the aim of this white paper: to offer a well-researched and up-to-date analysis of the changes taking place in the sector, by combining data, analysis and testimonials from professionals and CinéCréatis alumni.
Production, cinematography, post-production, VFX, editing, set design, new tools and new formats: a number of professionals share their experiences and insights into the developments in their fields.
Who is a white paper for?
This guide is aimed in particular at:
- secondary school pupils and university students considering a career in film and the audiovisual sector;
- parents who wish to gain a better understanding of career opportunities in the sector;
- career guidance professionals;
- and, more broadly, anyone wishing to understand the current changes taking place within the sector.
Understanding the changes taking place in the film and audiovisual sectors also helps to better identify the skills to be developed and the various pathways available for building a career in these fields.
Download the white paper for free
Discover key industry figures, changes in roles, new career opportunities, challenges relating to artificial intelligence and testimonials from professionals in the white paper ‘Film and audiovisual: understanding the sector’s transformations to better navigate the industry’.