The sea is not only a fascinating ecosystem - but also one of existential importance for us humans: the oceans produce half of the air we breathe. Anyone who breathes - and we all do so around 23,000 times a day - must therefore be interested in the well-being of the sea.
Our Partners
Stefan Bircher:
Studied journalism whilst traveling the world as a professional skateboarder and documenting it with all sorts of gear thus learning the craft by doing it. Started as a Junior Producer of a TV-Show in 1999 and as an Executive Producer advertisement in 2005.
Co-founded Shining Film 2007, Andy was right (Social Media Agency) 2019 and lecturing multiple (f.e. Zurich school of art ) studies. Member of the Art Directors Club and Board Member of the Association of Swiss Commercial and Corporate Film-Production Companies (SFA)
Caroline Braun:
After graduating from business school, Caroline Braun traveled extensively around the world. Back in Switzerland , she started working in a film production company as a PA, moved on as a Production Manager and then studied Production at the DFFB, Berlin.
In Zurich, she worked on many projects as production manager/producer, and in 2007 co-founded Shining Film. Since then, she has been with Shining as executive producer/partner.
Leonardo Sanfillippo:
Leonardo Sanfilippo studied media and communication, sociology and philosophy at the University of Zurich. Besides his studies he organized events like a local film festival, concerts, shows and pop-up restaurants. Film, music and food have always been the focus and so he also founded a music label and imported his own olive oil from Italy with his brother.
He started in film as a location scout, worked many years as producer, started his own business in 2015 and joined Shining Film at the end of 2016 where he became Partner in 2020.
Sophie Toth:
Sophie Toth studied media and communication, film, social and economic history at the University of Zurich. During her studies she worked in a postproduction company as an inhouse producer before she practiced the same profession in The Netherlands for 2 years.
After returning to Switzerland, Sophie oversaw product placements for Swiss television productions and worked as a freelancer producer before joining Shining Film as a permanent employee in 2013 and becoming a partner in 2020. Since 2020, she has built up and devoted herself to the fiction division of Shining Film and her first series Tschugger already turned out to be a cult.
Senior Producers
Stefan Girtanner:
Stefan Girtanner studied English and history at DePaul University in Chicago, after which he travelled the world.
Back in Switzerland, he worked his way up in a film production company from assistant to producer. Along the way, he worked with the likes of Rutger Hauer, Diobia Operi and others.
He has been working in the advertising industry for 15 years, since 2020 as a producer at Shining Film AG.