CIEE HS Summer Abroad: Filmmaking & Storytelling in Paris

Learn the art of visual storytelling in the birthplace of cinema, Paris.

You’re filming a scene on a quiet cobblestone street, the golden light catching the curve of a balcony above. The Seine shimmers nearby. Your friends help frame the shot. This is your summer to learn cinematography, scriptwriting, and directing in the city where cinema began, surrounded by beauty, new friends, and inspiration at every turn.

Through hands-on workshops and expert-led sessions, you’ll dive into the essentials of storytelling and filmmaking. Watch and analyze films across genres, then apply what you learn as you storyboard, shoot, and edit your own five-minute scene with a small team—then present it to peers, teachers, and local professionals.

Outside the classroom, take in the City of Light. Float down the Seine on a boat tour, wind your way through the Louvre, and soak in the views from the Eiffel Tower. Weekend excursions to the gilded halls of Versailles and the medieval village of Provins add more layers to your experience. Your summer in Paris will be unforgettable and impactful, with incredible memories and a film project to jumpstart your next step in the creative field.