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Film Studies

Develop a personal cinematographic vision, understand and master the process of making a film and grasp the dimensions of production.

image d'illustration © Michel Giesbrecht

Our film training courses enable students to fulfil their desire for cinema and to develop their own vision of the world and their point of view as authors. Students are thus prepared for the audio-visual industry, in a wide range of professions in film, television and transmedia.

Bachelor of Arts in Cinema

image d'illustration © HEAD – Genève, Michel Giesbrecht

Over the three years of the Bachelor of Arts in Cinema, students discover the diversity of film writing, from documentary to fiction. The program 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. 

The first year includes sound and image, archive and lighting practices (outdoor and in the studio). The workshop courses introduce students to film creation with the help of internationally renowned directors and technicians. 
In the second year, students choose between the Film Directing, Editing or Sound majors. The sophomore year enables students to deepen their technical knowledge and complete two films: one is a fiction film about local places, the other is a “Grand Voyage” project during which the students get to explore a new land or country in the company of a renowned local filmmaker. 

The third year is dedicated to the realisation of the graduation project, which includes a film and theory essay. Collaboration between students from all majors continues through the creation of film crews and editing and post-production teams. At the same time, students prepare a portfolio of their work in order get ready for their professional integration. 

Admission requirements

Completion of upper secondary education and successful completion of the entrance exam

Registration deadline

4 March 2025

Fees for Swiss students

(Swiss nationality, resident in Switzerland for tax purposes, or cross-border commuter status)
CHF 775.- per semester

Fees for foreign students

CHF 1125.- per semester

Duration

6 semestres

Credits

180 ECTS

Professional prospects:

Film and audio-visual director, editor, sound mixer, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, director of photography

Master of Arts in Cinema

image d'illustration © HEAD – Genève, Sylvain Leurent

Developing a personal cinematographic vision, understanding the filmmaking process and apprehending the stakes of production so as to pave the way for graduates to smoothly join professional circles – such are the main objectives of this programme. This Master course, which is unique in Europe, is aimed at the holders of a Bachelor’s degree, or with equivalent experience, wishing to further their knowledge in one of the following fields: direction scriptwriting, editing, sound or production.
Through courses and workshops provided by renowned lecturers in each field, the students develop a personal project throughout the curriculum. For their master project, they are involved in the production (direction scriptwriting, editing, sound or production) of a short, medium or feature length film (fiction, documentary, TV series, art-house, transmedia…). Several films gain international visibility through renowned festivals or/and TV broadcasting.
This Master programme relies on a partnership between ECAL and HEAD/Geneva University of Art and Design and on collaborations with Lausanne University (UNIL), Zurich University (UZH), Zurich University of the Arts (ZHDK), the Swiss National Film Archive in Lausanne, Swiss National Broadcasting RTS, and la Manufacture (school of performing arts) in Lausanne, University of Music Lausanne and Swiss Literature Institute in Bienne.

For all information regarding registrations, please refer here.

Admission requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification, and successful completion of the entrance examination.

Registration deadline

25 March 2025

Fees for Swiss students

(Swiss nationality, resident in Switzerland for tax purposes, or cross-border commuter status)
CHF 775.- per semester

Fees for foreign students

CHF 1125.- per semester

Duration

4 semesters

Credits

120 ECTS

Professional prospects:

Film and audio-visual director, editor, sound mixer, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, director of photography

The teachers are active in the industry. They gave me the keys to professionalise my practice. When I graduated from the MA programme, I knew how to set up, finance and live from my projects.

Juliana Fanjul, 39 years old, MA graduate in Film Studies 2014

Alumni testimonials

Bachelor et Master Cinéma - Parcours et débouchés

Projects Film Studies

Atelier scénario

de La Salle de Sport and le StoryBoard ollective

Masterclass with AvaDuVernay

de In collaboration with Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF)

The Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF), in partnership with HEAD - Geneva, will be awarding the Film & Beyond prize to Ava DuVernay, a filmmaker, director and producer renowned worldwide for her innovative approach to storytelling and cinema.

Film Studies Videos

Bachelor Cinéma - Parcours et débouchés