Stella Händler
Focus: freihändler filmproduktion
WF Online Series 2025 #3:
December 19, 2025 to January 5, 2026
Stella Händler was born in 1962 in Dornach, Switzerland, and initially studied German literature at the University of Basel. After her studies, she moved into the world of theatre and film. She worked as a directing assistant at Theatre Basel, then as a production assistant for SAMSA-Film in Luxembourg, and later became active in organizing theatre and film festivals. During the 1990s, she managed the production group Video&Film 62 and worked as a freelance production manager on various documentary and short-film projects. These experiences gave her a broad understanding of both artistic and production work, which would become essential for her later career as a producer.
In 2000, she co-founded freihändler Filmproduktion in Basel together with Claudia Frei. From the beginning, the company focused on documentaries, animated films, experimental formats, and artistically driven video projects. When Claudia Frei changed professions in 2011, Stella Händler took over full ownership and continued to develop the company with a clear commitment to artistic exploration and close collaboration with filmmakers. Over the years, she has produced more than forty films, reaching audiences nationally and internationally.
Her work extends well beyond producing. She has served on festival juries, been active in cultural institutions such as Stadtkino Basel and balimage, and chaired the fine arts and film committee of the Aargauer Kuratorium. She also invests heavily in the next generation, mentoring film students at the Hochschule Luzern and supporting young filmmakers as they enter the industry. In addition, she is involved in film-political efforts and helped found Pro Short, the Swiss association for short films.
For more than two decades, Stella Händler has been a central figure in shaping the film landscape in Basel. Through freihändler Filmproduktion, she has brought continuity, professionalism, and a strong artistic vision to the region. Many of the films she has produced have received international recognition, and her commitment to education, institutions, and advocacy has strengthened the foundations of Swiss filmmaking. Her work continues to play an essential role in supporting both established directors and emerging talent.
For this final program of our 2025 online series, we present a special focus marking freihändler’s 25th jubilee. This program will be offered exceptionally for two weeks as a year-end celebration of freihändler’s anniversary. We will also feature an audio interview with Stella Händler, in which she reflects on her career journey and on the role of women producers within the Swiss film landscape.
Upcoming film program
Mr Wurfel
by Rafael Sommerhalder
Switzerland, 2004, 8 min.
Mr Wurfel has a passion: he loves making decisions. In fact, he loves it so much that it took him three years, two months and nine days to decide on his new bicycle. One morning Mr Wurfel becomes entangled in an unfortunate incident. He has only a bit longer than one second to make the decision of his life.
Little Yugoslavia
by Nikola Ilić
Switzerland, 2013, 17 min.
A multi-faceted portrait of a motley group of people from ex-Yugoslavia who emigrated to Switzerland over the last 40 years. Much as they might praise and appreciate the advantages of living in Switzerland, they have kept their traditions of old and live a life of yearning and nostalgia in their own separate canton, the “Canton of Yugoslavia”.
Paradise
by Max Philipp Schmid
Switzerland, 2015, 15 min.
Presented against the backdrop of an artificial greenhouse, „Paradise“ interweaves texts, documentary images and sounds into a cluster of questions. How do we imagine paradise? The video explores the current societal tendency toward withdrawal and separation within the framework of a yearning for an ideal way of life closely linked to Nature.
The Peepul Tree
by Sonja Feldmeier
Switzerland, 2020, 25 min
Travelling alone through Northern India, Sonia Feldmeier witnesses the spectacular felling of a tree: An ancient, holy PEEPUL TREE is being cut down by seven lumbermen using handsaws and axes. Over several days, she films their undertaking. She is in the thick of the activity, but the language barrier impedes verbal communication. From this subjective experience, she creates audio portraits that give each lumberjack their own musical presence in the film.
Been There
by Corina Schwingruber Ilić
Switzerland, 2023, 10 min.
Weekend trips, city breaks, a detour into nature or once around the world. Barely a few days off, you’re already gone. Never before has the desire to travel been so widespread and visited places so overloaded. What do we get out of it, other than the picture proof that we have been there?
Upcoming: audio interview will be available here
Our Fourth Edition (2025)
MAY (16-23): AI in Film and the Media Arts
OCTOBER (17–24): Free Will
DECEMBER (12–19): Focus: Freihändler Film Produktion
On WF Online Series
The WF Online Series features three to four curated screening programs annually, each centred around a distinctive curatorial concept. The series highlights productions from Basel, Switzerland, and around the globe. Each program is available to stream for one week.
Our Funders
This project is made possible through the generous financial support of the Mary & Ewald E. Bertschmann-Stiftung and the Division of Cultural Affairs of Basel-Stadt.