Cocoon Productions is a boutique independent production company based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded by Simone (Soleil) Späni and Rhea Plangg in 2018. We produce shorts, experimental work, video installations, documentaries and fiction films. We work with a strong focus on diversity in gender and backgrounds of the directors. EUROPA „BASED ON A TRUE STORY“ (UK, Kenya, Switzerland) by Kivu Ruhorahoza is our first feature film coproduction (in post-production, selelcted for Atelier d`Atlas). Cocoon Productions is a proud partner of the incubation program REALNESS – A SCREENWRITERS RESIDENCY by Urucu Media (South Africa).
Simone studied german linguistics and literature, film science and history of arts at the University of Zurich (without a diploma). She worked for film production companies, for a pianist and a law company in Zurich before founding Cocoon Productions with her Partner Rhea Plangg in 2018. She works as a curator and consultant for several festivals (film, theater and music) mainly in Switzerland and Kigali/Rwanda. She is a member of the selection committee for Berlinale Shorts and was a curator for the International competition and special programs at Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur for many years. She founded Simone is a co-opted board member of SWAN Association (Swiss Women’s Audiovisual Network).
Rhea Plangg was born and raised in Zurich, (CH). After her studies in communication, political science and modern history (Lugano/Zurich/Rome) she worked a.o. in PR before being introduced to the world of cinema. After collaborating as an AP/AD and research-consultant on several doc and fiction projects in Lausanne, Zurich and Paris she started producing in 2016
