CHREIS: A Zurich Series Made for the Cinema

12 episodes. 12 Zurich districts. One story that keeps growing.

CHREIS is an independent Swiss series from Zurich with an unusual idea at its core: every episode takes place in a different one of Zurich’s 12 districts, and every new episode is connected to the previous ones.

The journey begins with CHREIS 12 - Episode 1. Once the next episode is completed, it will not simply be released on its own. Instead, it will be joined with CHREIS 12 to create a new, longer cinematic experience. This process continues episode by episode until all 12 districts eventually become one complete film.

But there is one rule that makes CHREIS different from a conventional series:

CHREIS can only be experienced in cinemas.

There is no streaming release and the episodes are not published online. CHREIS was created for the big screen and for the shared experience of watching a story together in a cinema.

CHREIS 12 - Where the Journey Begins

The first official episode takes place in Zurich’s Kreis 12 and follows Jerry, played by Swiss comedian and actor Gabirano Guinand.

Jerry has debts, lives with his ex-girlfriend and dreams of becoming a successful streamer. But a night in Schwamendingen takes an unexpected turn and forces him to confront his life, his ambitions and the question at the heart of the first episode:

Does growing up mean giving up your dreams?

CHREIS 12 combines humour, tension and the realities of life in Zurich while introducing the characters and world from which the larger CHREIS story will continue to grow.

12 Episodes. 12 Zurich Districts.

Zurich is divided into 12 districts, and CHREIS turns each of them into part of its story.

Every new episode moves into another district and brings new locations, characters and perspectives into the world of CHREIS. The order of the districts is deliberately not revealed in advance. Which Kreis comes next remains part of the journey.

At the same time, CHREIS is not an anthology of 12 separate stories. Every new episode is connected to what came before it. The film therefore becomes longer with every release until all 12 episodes ultimately form one continuous cinematic work.

This also means that every version of CHREIS exists only for a limited time. Once a new episode is added, the previous version evolves into something new.

No Streaming. Only Cinema.

In a time when almost everything is immediately available online, CHREIS deliberately takes a different path.

The episodes are not released on YouTube or streaming platforms. If you want to experience CHREIS, you have to go to the cinema.

The idea is simple: to create a reason for people to come together again in front of the big screen and to build a film that grows together with its audience.

CHREIS 12 celebrated its first screenings in Zurich cinemas in 2026, including its premiere at Kino Koni Zürich. The project continues to be shown in cinemas while the next episode is being developed.

Independent Swiss Filmmaking

CHREIS is being created independently, without a traditional film distributor or conventional film financing.

The project is produced by Cédric Zürrer and Fabian Lucas Diebold, with Fabian Lucas Diebold also serving as creator and director. Gabirano Guinand co-writes the series and stars in the lead role.

The first episode brings together a cast including Gabirano Guinand, Melanie Winiger, Anaïs Decasper, Dean Schneider, Ramin Yousofzai, Moritz Küng and other Swiss talents.

Behind the camera, an independent Swiss crew is building CHREIS episode by episode, with the ambition of creating something that can only truly exist in the cinema.

The Next Kreis Remains a Secret

CHREIS 12 is only the beginning.

The next district has already been chosen, but for now, it remains a secret. What is certain is that every new episode will expand the story, introduce another part of Zurich and transform CHREIS into a new cinematic experience.

No streaming. No online release. CHREIS belongs on the big screen.