"Very few editors did to contemporary documentary film what Niels Pagh Andersen did. His work on iconic films has inspired a whole generation of directors and editors and provided a new reference to many.” 
Orwa Nyrabia, Artistic Director IDFA
 

This seminar will offer a unique insight into Niels Pagh Andersen’s personal perspective on the art of editing and storytelling in documentary film. He will introduce us to the principles and methods of creative editing and guide us into the editing processes of some of his films.
He will focus on the process of creation, and on questions such as : How do you find a story in chaotic material from reality ? How does the film find its emotional expression and tone ? How does the dialogue between director and editor affect the final film?

Niels Pagh Andersen has cut more than 250 films of widely different categories. He has not only worked in the Scandinavian countries, but also in USA, Italy, England, Germany or Switzerland. Here are some examples of his award winning works from the last 10 years : The Act of Killing by Joshua Oppenheimer (2012), winner of 44 international awards, Palme by Kristina Lindstrøm and Maud Nycander (2012), winner Guldbagge Awards in Sweden for best editing, The Look of Silence by Joshua Oppenheimer (2014) Venice Film Festival Grand Prix. In the last years he has edited several films for the Chinese artist Ai WeiWei, among others Human Flow, and The End by Joshua Oppenheimer shown at the Berlinale in 2025.

Besides his work as an editor he has lectured and taught at film schools and universities, workshops and festivals around the world and is Professor in Editing at The Norweigian Filmschool. He works as well as a dramaturgist and supervising editor.
In 2005 he won the prestigious lifetime achievement award, The Roos Prize, The Danish Film Institute’s grand documentary prize for outstanding efforts in documentary filmmaking. In 2021 he published the book “Order in Chaos”-  Storytelling and editing in Documentary  film.

Event in english without translation
 

Timetable :
Doors open at 09:00 (welcome/coffee)
Morning : 09:30-13:00
Afternoon : 14:00-17:00
 

Fees :
CHF 80.- for Fonction : Cinema's members
CHF 150.- for non-members

Please register via the “Register” button.
Subject to availability, we will confirm your participation by e-mail and you will be asked to pay in advance. Thank you !