Anka Schmid

Screenwriter, Director, Cinematographer, Animator, Producer

Born in 1961 in Zurich, Switzerland. She studied at DFFB (Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie, Berlin). Since 1988 she works as independent filmmaker and video artist. She directed her first long documentary TECHQUA IKACHI, LAND – MY LIFE (1989) at the age of 27 in collaboration with the Hopi James Danaquymptewa and the visual artist Agnes Barmettler. The film screened in competition at Sundance and at numerous other festivals. Digitally restored in 2024 as part of the film cultural heritage, it screened at the Berlinale in 2024. To date, she has made 10 long films. These include WILD WOMEN – GENTLE BEAST (2015), HAIRY (2017) and OF CATS, DOGS AND ART (2021). In addition to documentary and essayistic films, she has created numerous experimental and animated films and a variety of video installations for galleries and museums. Her next feature documentary MELODY – FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE is currently in production.

Filmography
(a selection)

Director

2025
Melodie – Von der Wiege bis ins Grab (working title) by Anka Schmid
2024
Alarm Phone by Anka Schmid
2021
Loba Loba by Anka Schmid
2021
Wie die Kunst auf den Hund und die Katze kam by Anka Schmid
2020
Coronal Surreal – Collection Lockdown by Anka Schmid
2017
Haarig by Anka Schmid
2016
La Dada – König Hirsch by Anka Schmid
2015
Wild Women - Gentle Beasts by Anka Schmid
2014
Fe-Male by Anka Schmid
2012
Marzili Badi by Anka Schmid
2011
Mit dem Bauch durch die Wand by Anka Schmid
2009
Isa Hesse-Rabinovitch by Anka Schmid
2009
Hierig-Heutig by Anka Schmid
2007
Shake Hands by Anka Schmid
2007
Rondo Industrial by Anka Schmid
2005
Yello by Anka Schmid
2003
ABC Sound Alphabet by Anka Schmid
2002
Perpetuum Mobile by Anka Schmid
2000
Das Engadiner Wunder by Tania Stöcklin, Anka Schmid
1998
Little Sister by Anka Schmid
1997
Labyrinth-Projektionen by Anka Schmid, Agnes Barmettler
1995
Magic Matterhorn by Anka Schmid
1991
Praktisch und friedlich by Anka Schmid
1991
Hinter verschlossenen Türen by Anka Schmid
1989
Techqua Ikachi, Land – Mein Leben by Anka Schmid, Agnes Barmettler, James Danaqyumptewa
1986
Rondo Gravitat by Anka Schmid, Tania Stöcklin
1986
Herzens-Freude by Anka Schmid
1986
Habibi – Ein Liebesbrief by Anka Schmid
1986
Die Reise zur Südsee by Anka Schmid

Screenwriter

2025
Melodie – Von der Wiege bis ins Grab (working title) by Anka Schmid
2024
Alarm Phone by Anka Schmid
2021
Loba Loba by Anka Schmid
2021
Wie die Kunst auf den Hund und die Katze kam by Anka Schmid
2020
Coronal Surreal – Collection Lockdown by Anka Schmid
2017
Haarig by Anka Schmid
2016
La Dada – König Hirsch by Anka Schmid
2015
Wild Women - Gentle Beasts by Anka Schmid
2014
Fe-Male by Anka Schmid
2012
Marzili Badi by Anka Schmid
2011
Mit dem Bauch durch die Wand by Anka Schmid
2009
Hierig-Heutig by Anka Schmid
2009
Isa Hesse-Rabinovitch by Anka Schmid
2007
Rondo Industrial by Anka Schmid
2007
Shake Hands by Anka Schmid
2006
Found Footage I - IX by Anka Schmid
2005
Yello by Anka Schmid
2003
ABC Sound Alphabet by Anka Schmid
2000
Das Engadiner Wunder by Tania Stöcklin, Anka Schmid
1998
Little Sister by Anka Schmid
1997
Labyrinth-Projektionen by Anka Schmid, Agnes Barmettler
1995
Magic Matterhorn by Anka Schmid
1991
Hinter verschlossenen Türen by Anka Schmid
1989
Techqua Ikachi, Land – Mein Leben by Anka Schmid, Agnes Barmettler, James Danaqyumptewa
1986
Habibi – Ein Liebesbrief by Anka Schmid
1986
Die Reise zur Südsee by Anka Schmid
1986
Herzens-Freude by Anka Schmid
1986
Rondo Gravitat by Anka Schmid, Tania Stöcklin

Cinematographer

2024
Alarm Phone by Anka Schmid
2021
Loba Loba by Anka Schmid
2020
Coronal Surreal – Collection Lockdown by Anka Schmid
2016
La Dada – König Hirsch by Anka Schmid
2012
Marzili Badi by Anka Schmid
2011
Mit dem Bauch durch die Wand by Anka Schmid
1997
Labyrinth-Projektionen by Anka Schmid, Agnes Barmettler
1989
Techqua Ikachi, Land – Mein Leben by Anka Schmid, Agnes Barmettler, James Danaqyumptewa
1986
Herzens-Freude by Anka Schmid
1986
Habibi – Ein Liebesbrief by Anka Schmid
1986
Die Reise zur Südsee by Anka Schmid
1986
Rondo Gravitat by Anka Schmid, Tania Stöcklin

Producer

2016
La Dada – König Hirsch by Anka Schmid
2014
Fe-Male by Anka Schmid
2012
Marzili Badi by Anka Schmid
2009
Hierig-Heutig by Anka Schmid

Animator

2020
Coronal Surreal – Collection Lockdown by Anka Schmid
2017
Haarig by Anka Schmid
2014
Fe-Male by Anka Schmid
1995
Magic Matterhorn by Anka Schmid
1986
Die Reise zur Südsee by Anka Schmid
1986
Herzens-Freude by Anka Schmid
1986
Habibi – Ein Liebesbrief by Anka Schmid
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