I am Jean-Daniel Schneider, a Swiss writer-director based in Geneva. My cinema sits at the crossroads of documentary, fiction and contemporary art, blending memory, the invisible, the body and ritual practices into hybrid forms and singular narrative devices. I founded Maison Suspecte, a laboratory for cinema and contemporary mythologies, where we explore strange, sacred and liminal territories of reality. Over the years I have created both fiction and documentary works, including feature films and experimental projects such as Demolition Party, L’Île des esclaves, Nevergate, Madame W and Nouvel Ordre, along with immersive installations. I am drawn to the strange and the grotesque, and to projects that invite memory and perception to bend. I look forward to continuing collaborations from Geneva to the world.

Jean-Daniel Schneider

I am Jean-Daniel Schneider, a Swiss writer-director based in Geneva. My cinema sits at the crossroads of documentary, fiction and contemporary art, blending memory, the invisible, the body and ritual practices into hybrid forms and singular narrative devices. I founded Maison Suspecte, a laboratory for cinema and contemporary mythologies, where we explore strange, sacred and liminal territories of reality. Over the years I have created both fiction and documentary works, including feature films and experimental projects such as Demolition Party, L’Île des esclaves, Nevergate, Madame W and Nouvel Ordre, along with immersive installations. I am drawn to the strange and the grotesque, and to projects that invite memory and perception to bend. I look forward to continuing collaborations from Geneva to the world.

Available to hire

I am Jean-Daniel Schneider, a Swiss writer-director based in Geneva. My cinema sits at the crossroads of documentary, fiction and contemporary art, blending memory, the invisible, the body and ritual practices into hybrid forms and singular narrative devices. I founded Maison Suspecte, a laboratory for cinema and contemporary mythologies, where we explore strange, sacred and liminal territories of reality.

Over the years I have created both fiction and documentary works, including feature films and experimental projects such as Demolition Party, L’Île des esclaves, Nevergate, Madame W and Nouvel Ordre, along with immersive installations. I am drawn to the strange and the grotesque, and to projects that invite memory and perception to bend. I look forward to continuing collaborations from Geneva to the world.

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Language

French
Fluent
English
Advanced
Italian
Intermediate
German
Beginner
Japanese
Beginner

Work Experience

Artist at Gallerie Rauminhalt, Wien
January 1, 2024 - Present
Exhibition and creation of multidisciplinary works centered on the temporality and complex relationships with glacial environments using embroidery, ceramics, enameling, video installations, and pigments. Collaborated with scientific groups such as Pellicciotti's team at ISTA to connect artistic practice with mountain cryosphere and hydrosphere research. Presented works at the Klima Biennale Wien 2024.
Artist and Writer at Centre Culturel du Manoir de Cologny, Genève
January 1, 2023 - Present
Developed installations and video works exploring ecological and geological narratives intersecting with textile techniques and material research. Exhibitions such as 'Archives Tangibles' and others explored poetic cartographies and multi-layered realities. Wrote and published poetic journals, including 'Sillages' with Editions Makaline, investigating themes of slow travel and art through a multidisciplinary lens.
Research Collaborator at Laesser AG
December 31, 2023 - August 28, 2025
Engaged in a year-long research project focused on developing contemporary lace techniques using monofilament threads with zigzag stitches and innovative materials such as bamboo and lyocell, to advance textile techniques in collaboration with an industrial partner.
Researcher and Author at Swiss Polar Institute
December 31, 2023 - August 28, 2025
Contributed written and artistic research content on ecological narratives tied to the cryosphere, including a 2022 publication focusing on non-linear thoughts related to glaciers and human-environment relations. Developed essays and poetic texts aligned with scientific studies in polar regions.
Master's Researcher and Author at Independent
December 31, 2020 - August 28, 2025
Authored 'I Masturbate or a Critical Reflection on Freedom,' a master's thesis combining cultural studies and illustration. The work explores freedom within a neo-capitalist framework through interviews and visual storytelling, published in multiple editions with illustrated contributions.
Founder at Maison Suspecte
January 1, 2016 - Present
A creative laboratory for cinema and contemporary mythologies exploring the strange, the sacred, the grotesque and the invisible.
Editor at Spartiates (Nicolas Wadimoff)
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015
Editor for the feature film Spartiates, which won the Swiss Film Award Grand Prize in 2015.

Education

Master's Degree in Cultural and Historical Studies at Royal College of Arts, London, UK
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2020
Master of Research in Cultural Studies and History at Royal College of Art, London, United Kingdom
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2020
Degree at Geneva School of Fine Arts (Cinema Department), with honors
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007
Japanese Studies Program at University of Geneva, Faculty of Letters, Oriental cultures and languages
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2000
International Baccalaureate at International Baccalaureate, Geneva
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1996
Degree in Cinema (with honors) at Geneva School of Fine Arts
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007
Bachelor in Oriental Cultures and Languages (Japanese Studies) at University of Geneva, Faculty of Letters
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2000
International Baccalaureate (IB) at International Baccalaureate, Geneva
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1996

Qualifications

Master's Degree in Cultural and Historical Studies
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2020
Degree in Cinema (Geneva School of Fine Arts)
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007
Bachelor in Oriental Cultures and Languages (Japanese Studies)
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2000
International Baccalaureate (IB)
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1996

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Travel & Hospitality