Film Diplomas 26Film Diplomas 26

45 graduates are at the end of their studies this year and are ready for the diverse work in the world of film. Whether film, production design, feature film directing, documentary film production, screenwriting, cinematography, film editing or creative producing: the Bachelor's and Master's students have grown into filmmakers with broad expertise in a wide range of specialist areas.

This is also reflected in their final works. The screening of the 2026 diploma films of the film department will take place from June 11-25 and 18-20 at Kino Toni.

The final projects of the Production Design degree program can be seen during the diploma exhibition in the production room (3.C06).

At ZHdK, you can tailor your film studies largely to your own needs, as the program offers a broad and highly differentiated education in fiction and documentary filmmaking as well as other audiovisual fields. You will also gain access to the latest artistic and technological developments. Immerse yourself in the world of film. The program concludes with your own short film. Learn more about the Bachelor’s degree in Film.

Visual language and cinematic space are essential elements in the storytelling and staging of a film. Environments and locations create the world in which a film takes place and can characterize, oppress, or transform its characters and their actions. As a Production Designer, you will learn to independently develop, realize, and organize the design and scenic setting of a film in close collaboration with directing, cinematography, and costume design. Learn more about the Bachelor’s degree in Production Design.

The Master’s program in Directing Fiction at ZHdK deepens students’ craft in the field of fictional filmmaking. Students work intensively with actors, lead teams, communicate their artistic ideas, and remain in constant dialogue throughout the creative process. Through practical exercises and their own films, they gain hands-on experience. As seismographs of society, they engage with contemporary issues and explore the themes of the present. The program concludes with a short or medium-length diploma film through which they position themselves artistically and express their own perspective. Learn more about the Master’s degree in Directing Fiction.

At the latest since the boom of television series, it has become clear what makes a great film: a perfect screenplay. It is therefore no surprise that screenwriters are among the most sought-after creative professionals in the film industry today. The Master’s program in Screenwriting at ZHdK teaches and deepens the craft of writing. Working in a writers’ room is practiced intensively and put into action through the development of an original series concept, which is pitched to broadcasters and streaming platforms. The program is accompanied by successful national and international writers, dramaturges, and lecturers. Students graduate with a feature-length screenplay as their “ticket to write.” Learn more about the Master’s degree in Screenwriting.

The profession of cinematographer has changed dramatically with the advent of digital technology. Whereas in the past decisions had to be made on set, much can now be reshaped in post-production. The demands have increased, the technical conditions have become more complex, and the processes more interconnected. However, what has remained the same since the beginning of cinema history is that truly magical images emerge only through the perfect collaboration of the various departments. It is in these moments, where a passionate Director of Photography meets like-minded collaborators, that images are created whose meaning goes beyond mere representation.

In the Master’s program in Cinematography at ZHdK, students deepen their craft in both documentary and fiction filmmaking. Numerous exercises and film projects accompany the studies under the guidance of national and international directors of photography. Learn more about the Master’s degree in Cinematography.

Film editors make artistic and creative decisions, fighting for every image and every sound. They take responsibility for the narrative and serve as a critical counterpart to all other contributors—on content-related, dramaturgical, political, and production-related levels. In the Master’s program in Film Editing at the Zurich University of the Arts, students deepen their expertise in editing and qualify as film editors for film and television production as well as various other audiovisual fields. Learn more about the Master’s degree in Film Editing.

Creative Producing—these two words capture what makes this profession so unique. Positioned at the intersection of creativity and production, there are hardly any other fields that are as demanding while also being so appealing. In the Master’s program in Creative Producing at ZHdK, students learn to navigate these challenges. They gain practical experience, take responsibility for several film projects, and acquire expertise in both artistic and production-related areas that prepares them for entering professional practice. Learn more about the Master’s degree in Creative Producing.