Bachelor of Arts in Cinema

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. 

Film Directing major 
Students who choose the Film Directing major in the second year deepen their technical knowledge (handling complex cameras and multi-channel sound recording) while learning to master the entire creative process. Together with their colleagues in the Editing major, they make two main films: one fiction and one documentary. In the third year, students concentrate on their graduation film and most of the teaching that takes place in the form of personalised tutoring and thematic seminars revolves around their project. The program also includes courses on production, distribution, selection and festivals. 

Editing major 
From the second year, students who choose the Editing major assemble and disassemble films in order to master professional software (Avid Pro Tools). Students practice by editing the main films of their colleagues in the Film Directing major and deal in particular with the challenges of sound editing. In the third year, students consider editing as a creative act in its own right. They deepen their knowledge by exploring different narratives and practicing a wider variety of editing techniques. Moreover, students have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with special effects and graphic design software. During their graduation project, each student works in a team with a student from the Film Directing major to demonstrate their ability to complete the work through editing. 

Sound major 
From the second year, students who opt for the Sound major benefit from advanced sound recording training (microphones, recorders, booms, critical listening), while working on conceptual workshops (constructions, layered soundscapes, interactions between direct sound/ambience/music) and developing their knowledge of professional software (Pro Tools). In their third year, the students consider sound as a real tool for reflection and creation. Moreover, in order to develop a practical knowledge of sound, an internship in a professional environment (on a film set or on television) or a personal project are an integral part of the course. During the graduation project, students in the Sound major work on their colleagues’ films in the Directing major in collaboration with those in the Editing major, in order to define the method and sound strategy specific to the film, carry out the sound recording during the shooting, collaborate on the sound editing and carry out the mix. 

Teaching language : French. See all language requirements

Bachelor's studies at HEAD – Genève are in French.

Candidates whose upper-secondary level qualification has not been issued by a French-speaking institution must, once they have been admitted, submit a B2-level French certificate by 31 August.
Candidates do not have to submit this B2-level French certificate if they hold:

  • an upper-secondary level qualification from a German-speaking Swiss canton or from Ticino that includes French as a subject.
  • a tertiary level A qualification (Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification of at least 180 ECTS credits) in which French is the official language of instruction.

See all Cinema projects 
Access to the website of the Department Cinéma / Cinéma du réel
Access to the Department's vimeo
 

Head of Department 
Anita Hugi

Deputy head of department
Nicolas Garait

Assistants
Nathalie Berger

Quentin Goujout

Diane Agatha Schaeffer


Teaching Staff
Delphine Jeanneret

Bertrand Bacqué
Basil Da Cunha
Maryam Goormaghtigh
Christine Hoffet

Danielle Lessovitz

Daniel Schweizer
Olivier Zuchuat

 

Invited speakers

Kamal Aljafari, Raed Andoni, Marine Atlan, Claire Atherton, Antoine Barraud, Yaël Bitton, Iris Brey, Nadir Bouhmouch, Joakim Chardonnens, Carlo Chatrian, Patric Chiha, Greg de Cuir Jr, Sergio Da Costa, Naelle Dariya, Arnaud Dezoteux, Ael Dallier Vega, Farah Clémentine Dramani Issifou, Amandine Gay, Julie Gilbert, Pascale Granel, Christine Hoffet, Carlos Ibañez-Diaz, Antoine Jaccoud, Salomé Jashi, Maya Kosa, Julien Lacheray, Oliver Laxe, Danielle Lessovitz, Elina Löwensohn, Eléonore Mallo, Bertrand Mandico, Christelle Oyiri (Crystallmess), Caroline Poggi, Alexe Poukine, Joana Preiss, Isabelle Proust, Carlos Reygadas, Clara Schulmann, Gabriel Tejedor, Jonathan Vinel, Rui Xavier, Claire Burger, Dina Drukarova, Andreas Fontana, Tatiana Huezo, Valérie Loizeleux, Valentin Merz, Robin Mognetti, João Pedro Rodrigues, Theodore Ushev, Andreea Vescan