Kurzfilmtage’s annual Swiss Film School Day is a showcase of Switzerland’s six undergraduate degree programmes. Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne (ECAL), the Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD), the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), the Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art – Video/Animation, and the International Academy of Audiovisual Sciences (CISA) present a selection of their recent short films in three sessions followed by film talks led by Filmexplorer.
The jury of the Swiss competition awards the prize for the Best Swiss School Film (CHF 5000.–, donated by SRG SSR). The winner will be announced at the Industry Awards Ceremony on Saturday 7/11 at 18:30 at Labuesch Bar.
Admission to the Swiss Film School Day is free – a great opportunity to get a first glimpse of Kurzfilmtage!
Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art – Video
The Bachelor’s degree programme in Video teaches central aspects of filmmaking, focusing on the diverse forms and processes of documentary and essayistic films. Technical skills, creative competency, and theoretical knowledge are taught with a practice-focused approach. New knowledge is applied, individually tested, deepened, reinterpreted, and combined in the students’ own short film projects. From radically subjective to shockingly objective – the programme offers the opportunity to develop new perspectives on the world, inspiring students to find their own cinematic signature style.
hslu.ch/video
Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art – Animation
In the BA in Animation programme at the Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art, students learn to tell stories in short, animated formats. They develop their individual cinematic language and have the option to specialize in classical animation, computer animation, stop motion, or hybrid forms. The three-year course culminates in a film produced individually or in groups. In the MA in Animation programme, students enhance their animation skills and continue to develop their artistic voice. During the two-year programme, they work on their own animation projects under the mentorship of in-house lecturers and industry professionals. By connecting with the Swiss and European animation scenes, students gain valuable insights into contemporary markets as they develop, produce, and distribute their projects.
hslu.ch/animation
Lausanne University of Art and Design (ECAL)
The film department at the Lausanne University of Art and Design (ECAL), founded by Yves Yersin in 1989, has a rich history of nurturing filmmakers. The three-year Bachelor of Arts programme offers students the opportunity to participate in workshops led by prominent film professionals such as Thierry de Peretti, Carmen Jaquier, Artur Tort, Guillaume Brac, and Claire Mathon, among others. The curriculum focuses on helping students develop their distinctive visual and narrative style across various formats, including fictional shorts, documentaries, and experimental films. Since 2022, Paolo Moretti has been leading the department, succeeding Swiss director Lionel Baier and producer Pauline Gygax.
ecal.ch
Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD)
Over the three years of the Bachelor of Arts in Cinema, students explore the diversity of filmmaking, including scriptwriting, directing, editing, cinematography, sound, post-production, and production, across both documentary and fiction. The programme promotes formal risk-taking and encourages the exploration of areas of hybridisation between genres, while emphasising films in tune with today’s world. Students learn to master the techniques of filming, sound recording, editing and post-production. In addition, they cultivate their vision, critical thinking and ability to express themselves through theory courses.
hesge.ch/head/
Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
The film programmes at ZHdK focus on practical training. The school’s Bachelor Film and Master Film are closely linked, forming a consecutive programme. The three-year BA course provides foundational training in all key areas of filmmaking. Offering fundamental know-how in screenwriting, editing, photography, producing, and sound design, the programme enables graduates to embark on professional careers in filmmaking or pursue a specialization in the MA programme, which serves to further develop individual artistic expression and technical expertise.
film.zhdk.ch
The International Academy of Audiovisual Sciences (CISA)
The International Academy of Audiovisual Sciences (CISA) is an independent, internationally oriented school of film and media in Locarno, Switzerland. As an academic partner of the Locarno Film Festival, CISA is embedded in a vibrant media ecosystem. It aims to be a leading European school, offering programmes in nonfiction, fiction, experimental formats, and time-based media, with strong industry links and excellent graduate employment outcomes.
cisaonline.ch
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