Profile

The range of documentary work includes artistic authorial documentary films, documentary essays as well as mixed forms with fictional elements, such as docudramas.

The theoretical and practical work includes the areas of research, exposé and treatment, conducting interviews and discussions, screenplay, directing, dramaturgy, cinematography, lighting, sound, editing, music and post-production.

The aim of the study programme is to train team-oriented writers and directors who learn to creatively shape reality with their own ideas and a responsible attitude towards people and facts. Future documentary filmmakers should understand the relationship between content and form. Their professional craftsmanship should enable them to assert themselves in a multifaceted market, whether commercial or non-commercial.

  • ENTRY LEVEL Undergraduate study programme
    Graduate study programme (lateral entry)
  • STUDY START Winter semester
  • STANDARD PERIOD
    OF STUDY
    Undergraduate study programme:
    8 Semesters
    Graduate study programme (lateral entry):
    4 Semesters

    plus in each case
    1 diploma semester
  • TYPE OF STUDY
    PROGRAMME
    Full-time attendance programme
  • FINAL DEGREE Diploma from Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg
  • STUDY LANGUAGE German in undergraduate studies
    German & English in graduate studies
  • TUITION FEES Undergraduate study programme:
    0 € (first course of studies)
    650 € (second course of studies)
    1.500€ (non-EU citizens)

    Graduate study programme (lateral entry)
    650 € (second course of studies)
    1.500€ (non-EU citizens)

APPLICATION

You can find detailed information on the application process and the entrance exam here. We look forward to receiving your submission!

Application deadline: 15 February

Before and after your studies

WHAT SOFT SKILLS SHOUD I BRING WITH ME?

  • Interest in different realities of life, political, economic, cultural and social issues
  • Communication skills
  • High level of social and emotional intelligence
  • Curiosity and interest in stories
  • Strong audiovisual comprehension skills

WHICH PROFESSIONS CAN I WORK IN?

  • Documentary film directing
  • Documentary film production
  • Documentary film management
  • Editorial work

Structure of the study programme

The study programme is divided into five years with a ‘mobility year’ in the third year following the undergraduate studies.

Course of studies

First year: Undergraduate studies

The first year of the undergraduate studies programme is similar to the first year of general studies at the Filmakademie (see courses of study).

First year: Undergraduate studies – Specialisation

Winter semester

  • Introduction and practice: Interview techniques and research
  • Dok'n'Roll: The best of documentary film history / film analyses
  • Concept and content development: dialogue and sharing in plenary sessions and support in individual discussions
  • Pitching: Training and presentation of projects in the second year
  • Cinematic storytelling and visual design / dramaturgical sound design
  • Ballet for four: Practical workshop with production design, film sound and editing
  • Seminars on dramaturgy and exposé
  • Filming: From the end of January to the end of February followed by the start of editing and post-production

Summer semester

Seminars to accompany the completion of the flm projects:

  • Creative and technical sound design
  • Financing documentary films / impact producing
  • Evaluation and marketing / audience building

 

Third and fourth years: Graduate studies

Courses such as research seminars, interview practice, finding and developing concepts and content, cinematography, sound and editing exercises, visits to editorial offices, festival excursions, pitching training, case studies with international guests or cross-media workshops are the focus of the main study programme.

Practical film work addresses the special aspect of documentary work that, depending on the subject and financial situation, there can be both a one/two-person team, in which different professional crafts are practised in unison, as well as a large film team, such as in docudramas, which is quite comparable to fictional feature films.

The projects are realised in the course of the main study programme in cooperation with all students of the Documentary Film department, from brainstorming for ideas to the finished film. All individual roles, such as script, production, direction, camera, sound and editing, are staffed by Filmakademie students. The individual phases of the projects (research, writing, filming, editing, final production) are determined at the beginning of the semester on the basis of a binding schedule.

In addition, the department's regular cooperation with renowned editorial offices and film funding organisations (e.g. MFG, Junger Dokumentarfilm/SWR, Kleines Fernsehspiel/ZDF and other public television stations) enables students to already make their mark within the documentary market during their studies.

Diploma project

The diploma project is usually an open-format documentary film that is developed and realised over a period of 1-2 years. Students are free to decide whether to realise the diploma film in cooperation with a broadcaster or independently.

Undergraduate studies

First year

First year: Undergraduate studies

The first year of the undergraduate studies programme is similar to the first year of general studies at the Filmakademie (see courses of study).

Undergraduate studies

Second year

First year: Undergraduate studies – Specialisation

Winter semester

  • Introduction and practice: Interview techniques and research
  • Dok'n'Roll: The best of documentary film history / film analyses
  • Concept and content development: dialogue and sharing in plenary sessions and support in individual discussions
  • Pitching: Training and presentation of projects in the second year
  • Cinematic storytelling and visual design / dramaturgical sound design
  • Ballet for four: Practical workshop with production design, film sound and editing
  • Seminars on dramaturgy and exposé
  • Filming: From the end of January to the end of February followed by the start of editing and post-production

Summer semester

Seminars to accompany the completion of the flm projects:

  • Creative and technical sound design
  • Financing documentary films / impact producing
  • Evaluation and marketing / audience building

 

Graduate studies

Third and fourth year

Third and fourth years: Graduate studies

Courses such as research seminars, interview practice, finding and developing concepts and content, cinematography, sound and editing exercises, visits to editorial offices, festival excursions, pitching training, case studies with international guests or cross-media workshops are the focus of the main study programme.

Practical film work addresses the special aspect of documentary work that, depending on the subject and financial situation, there can be both a one/two-person team, in which different professional crafts are practised in unison, as well as a large film team, such as in docudramas, which is quite comparable to fictional feature films.

The projects are realised in the course of the main study programme in cooperation with all students of the Documentary Film department, from brainstorming for ideas to the finished film. All individual roles, such as script, production, direction, camera, sound and editing, are staffed by Filmakademie students. The individual phases of the projects (research, writing, filming, editing, final production) are determined at the beginning of the semester on the basis of a binding schedule.

In addition, the department's regular cooperation with renowned editorial offices and film funding organisations (e.g. MFG, Junger Dokumentarfilm/SWR, Kleines Fernsehspiel/ZDF and other public television stations) enables students to already make their mark within the documentary market during their studies.

Diploma stage

Diploma project

Diploma project

The diploma project is usually an open-format documentary film that is developed and realised over a period of 1-2 years. Students are free to decide whether to realise the diploma film in cooperation with a broadcaster or independently.

Lecturers

The lecturers in the Documentary Film department are among the most influential documentary voices of their generation. Having received many awards, they cover a wide range of documentary narrative forms.

Lecturers

Prof Heidi Specogna

Senior Lecturer Graduate Studies

Lecturers

Thomas Riedelsheimer

Lecturer Graduate Studies

Lecturers

Thomas Lauterbach

Lecturer Graduate Studies

Lecturers

Prof Michael Möller

Lecturer Undergraduate Studies (2nd year)

Lecturers

Andrea Roggon

Lecturer Undergraduate Studies (2nd year)

Impressions

In addition to the wide range of courses offered, the focus is on student interaction: teamwork is key. Whether at home or abroad, documentary work is always a glimpse into the world of today.

APPLICATION INFORMATION & DOCUMENTS

APPLICATION

You can find detailed information on the application process and the entrance exam here. We look forward to receiving your submission!

Application deadline: 15 February

Do you have further questions about the programme?

The Office of Student Affairs will be happy to answer your questions.