The Master in Film ECAL–HEAD is a two-year program covering artistic, practical and theoretical areas in a specialized area of study (film direction, screenwriting, editing, sound or production). Each student will pursue an academic program tailored to their major that seeks to develop their individual artistic voice as they are mentored through coordinated projects that promote co-creation and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Over the course of the second year, each student will be required to create and direct their own film as a thesis project, collaborating actively with other students in areas of editing, sound and production. Screenwriters will be required to produce a feature film script. The results of these creative collaborations are often shown at international festivals.
 

The Master in Film ECAL–HEAD is organized around three main objectives:

The development of a personal artistic voice

Students will be encouraged by their mentors to develop their own perspective and original vision as authors through the exploration of contemporary cinematographic genres (fiction, documentary, essay films, and series, as well as hybrid formats). 

The mastery of production processes and the various professions in the film industry

Students will be required to hone their technical and professional skills with particular emphasis on their major. This will be accomplished through both theoretical and practical workshops, experience on film sets and master classes with recognized professionals. They will also be working with our partner institutions such as public radio and television networks, the Paléo Festival (Nyon), and the Olympic Museum (Lausanne).

Professional internships and international exposure

In their second year, students from various majors will collaborate on a thesis film project, written and produced by students studying film direction. Students in other areas will be placed in professional internships. As a result, through practice and participation, their thesis projects will circulate amongst international film professionals throughout the world.

Students who complete a course of study will have achieved the following goals: 

• The development of their own original voice through the cinematic process, through the creation of a thesis project in their chosen specialty 
• Mastery of the processes in their field required to complete the creation of a film
• In-depth knowledge of their chosen major (film direction, screenwriting, editing, sound, or production) as well as an extensive overview of the entire chain of film production 
• The ability to write, edit, mix and co-create a variety of films, such as fiction or documentary, even while challenging the boundaries of these genres in keeping with contemporary artistic processes 
• Gathering experience coordinating artistic and technical collaboration in the complex environment of a film set 
• Proficiency in the technical and methodological tools required for professional filmmaking 
• The ability to analyze cinematographic works in order to develop a critical perspective on the forms and practices of contemporary cinema
• The articulation of a theoretical process and a creative practice through the completion of a thesis dissertation and project
• Learning how to integrate sustainable production processes, and deal with issues such as financing, and distribution, which are intrinsic to any film project
• Acquiring the capacity and skills necessary to integrate the professional spheres of the film and audiovisual industries
• Developing and defending a film thesis project guided by their experiences in master classes, workshops and international collaborations
• Integrating their personal practice within a wider professional community through participation in festivals, and working with institutions and cultural and artistic partners

Upon attaining a Master in Film ECAL–HEAD, students enter a variety of career paths in the film and audiovisual industries, as well as various cultural fields.

Some of the choices available are:

• Film Directors
• Assistant Directors
• Producers
• Production Manager
• Production Assistant
• Film Editor
• Sound Engineer
• Mixer
• Sound Mixing
• Lighting Director, Chief Cameraperson
• Script and Screenwriters
• Film Festival Coordinator
• Researcher or Academic, Film Studies

Le cursus se déploie sur deux années consécutives. La première année est consacrée aux méthodes de recherche, au prototypage et au design d'interaction durable, et culmine par un projet réalisé avec un partenaire professionnel. La deuxième année est dédiée au mémoire de diplôme et à un projet interactif indépendant, intégrant l'ensemble des compétences acquises.

Les étudiant·e·x·s peuvent suivre un workshop avec un autre master en design à la HEAD ou à l'ECAL et participer à la Semaine de tous les possibles, une semaine annuelle d'exploration interdisciplinaire. Des cours techniques optionnels sont également proposés pour expérimenter des compétences complémentaires au-delà des projets du cursus.

Admission to the Master in Film ECAL–HEAD requires:

• a university-level or UAS (HES) Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent foreign qualification
• a degree with a specialization in the relevant field, or one year of recent, documented professional experience in the field of study concerned
• English level B2

If you do not hold the required qualification, you may apply for admission under special conditions. The applicable terms are set out in the Admission Requirements section.