Locarno, Switzerland

Documentary Summer School (Locarno Film Festival)

Join us at the Documentary Summer School (DSS), an esteemed program that has been providing an exceptional learning experience for the past 24 years. Located amidst the vibrant atmosphere of one of the world's most prestigious film festivals, DSS offers a unique opportunity to meet and learn from globally renowned scholars and filmmakers.
At DSS, our carefully curated program includes five half days of captivating lectures and thought-provoking films selected from the esteemed Semaine de la Critique and the Festival's International Competition. By participating in this program, you will be immersed in a dynamic dialogue that spans a wide range of topics, from theoretical reflections to creative practices, enabling you to engage in a stimulating exchange between the academic and film communities.
One of our core objectives at DSS is to showcase the immense potential of hybrid projects that bridge academia and film practices. We firmly believe that such collaborations can generate meaningful benefits for both communities. To achieve this, we draw upon the insights of renowned film scholars and filmmakers who help bridge the gap between these two domains.
Throughout the years, we have had the honor of hosting a diverse array of distinguished speakers who have enriched our program with their expertise. Past speakers have included Andrea Segre, an award-winning director with an extensive filmography in both documentary and fiction genres; Nevina Satta, the managing director of the Sardegna Film Commission and secretary general of the European Film Commission; Till Brockmann, head of the Semaine de la Critique at the Locarno Film Festival; Rula Jebreal, a journalist, novelist, and award-winning screenwriter; Alessandro Comodin, a director, screenwriter, and editor known for his documentary "Gigi the Law"; Arthur Jafa, an acclaimed American cinematographer; Brian Winston, an Emmy winner for the documentary screenplay; and many others.
The Documentary Summer School is an unparalleled opportunity to gain insights from the best minds in the field and foster connections within the global documentary community. Whether you are a filmmaker, scholar, or simply passionate about the power of documentaries, we invite you to join us and become a part of this transformative learning experience. Together, let's explore the boundless possibilities that arise when academia and filmmaking intersect and contribute to the future of documentary storytelling.

Course leader

Dr. Eleonora Benecchi, lecturer and researcher at the University of Lugano, specializes in Audiovisual Theory and Production, Digital Cultures, and Social Media Management Dr. Stefano Guerini Rocco, a research fellow at the University of Bologna,

Target group

- University or film school student.
- Emerging filmmakers

Course aim

At DSS, we are dedicated to showcasing the immense potential that hybrid projects - which bring together academia and film practices - can offer to both communities. Our program achieves this by drawing on the insights of renowned film scholars and filmmakers, whose contributions help to bridge the gap between these two domains and generate meaningful benefits for all involved.

Fee info

CHF 600: Participating in the DSS in Locarno will be a unique and rewarding experience.

The participation fee of CHF 600 includes:

Overnight accommodation, including breakfast, at the Locarno Youth Hostel from August 6-12, in a shared room with another participant (shared unisex bathroom).
An accreditation that grants access to all Locarno Film Festival screenings.
Five days of lectures with a diverse international faculty of film scholars and professionals. *
Exclusive Q&A sessions with filmmakers from the festival as well as those selected for the Semaine de la Critique.
Networking events and opportunities to connect with individuals from around the world.
A certificate of participation.
Undergraduate students can earn 3 ECTS credits through their participation in the program.