Don Bosco International Media Academy (DBIMA), Paris powered by TIMA PARIS
A Legacy of Excellence, A Future of Innovation
Don Bosco International Media Academy (DBIMA), Paris is the culmination of over a century of educational excellence, artistic innovation, and a relentless commitment to empowering future generations. DBIMA's roots trace back to the late 19th century, woven into the very fabric of a historical movement that shaped global education and the arts. This is the story of how a vision born in 1883 has evolved into a premier institution leading the new era of cinema and media education.
The Genesis of a Mission (1883)
The journey begins in 1883, a turbulent time in Paris. The city was still reeling from the devastation of the Franco-Prussian War and the violent aftermath of the “Bloody Week.” A cholera epidemic further ravaged the population, leaving countless children orphaned and communities struggling to rebuild. In the midst of this chaos, a man of extraordinary vision arrived: Saint John Bosco. A pioneer in education and youth empowerment, he saw potential where others saw despair.
Determined to provide stability and opportunity, Don Bosco established a Salesian presence in the Ménilmontant district, one of the most affected areas of Paris. His mission was clear: to create an environment where education and the arts could flourish, nurturing young minds even in the face of adversity. His first initiative was to open a home, oratory, and school for marginalised youth; a sanctuary of learning for those who had none.
1884 — The Théâtre de Ménilmontant (Théâtre des Gémeaux Parisiens)
Understanding the transformative power of the arts, Don Bosco founded the Théâtre de Ménilmontant in 1884 - a space dedicated to cultural expression, theatrical excellence, and artistic training, conceived as a refuge where children could engage with the arts. Over the years, this theatre became a beacon of creativity, setting the stage for generations of artists and storytellers, and laying the foundation of what would one day become DBIMA’s legacy: an educational model that seamlessly blended knowledge with artistic innovation.
The Culture and Media Education Division (1981)
As the world advanced, so did the need for new forms of education and communication. Recognising this, the Salesians in France took a bold step in 1981, expanding Don Bosco’s mission into media education. They founded Édition Don Bosco, an association dedicated to publishing books and producing educational videos.
What started as a modest initiative soon became a pan-European movement. The Salesian media enterprise spread across multiple countries, creating publication offices and expanding their influence in the fields of education and media. The Don Bosco Bulletin became a flagship project, disseminating knowledge, ethics, and artistic appreciation to millions.
Don Bosco’s vision evolved from traditional education to multimedia education, ensuring that knowledge was not just confined to classrooms but was accessible through film, print, and digital platforms. The Don Bosco Congregation later expanded its mission in Paris with the establishment of the Culture and Media Education Division, a hub for performing arts, theatre productions, and cultural programmes that nurtured talent, promoted artistic expression, and engaged communities through impactful storytelling.
The Birth of DBIMA: A New Era (2019)
Building on the firm foundations laid in 1883 and the cultural renaissance initiated in 1981, the year 2019 marked a transformative new chapter. Provincial Daniel Federspiel SDB, a pillar of Don Bosco’s vision in Paris, took a bold step by transforming the Culture and Media Education Division into Don Bosco Intuition Entertainers Media (Don Bosco Media), dedicated to higher education in cinema and television.
Recognising the global demand for skilled professionals in cinema and television, Provincial Daniel Federspiel SDB played a pivotal role in establishing the Don Bosco International Media Academy (DBIMA), a groundbreaking, state-of-the-art institution dedicated to media education that would redefine the field for the modern age.
Under his guidance, John Paul SWAMINATHAN SDB, Director and CEO of DBIMA, led the founding of this prestigious institution, bringing to life a dynamic and forward-thinking educational platform. Their combined efforts shaped DBIMA into the rightful and foremost successor of Don Bosco’s mission in Paris, fostering a learning environment where creativity and professional excellence are deeply rooted in strong ethical principles.
The Founder
John Paul SWAMINATHAN SDB
Filmmaker • Educator • Institution Builder • Social Entrepreneur
John Paul Swaminathan is an international educator, filmmaker, and creative leader with over a decade of experience spanning cinema education, audiovisual production, intercultural collaboration, and institutional development.
Six Years of Impact: 2020–2025
From a founding class of just 8 international students in 2020, DBIMA has grown into one of Europe’s most diverse and vibrant cinema academies. The following milestones reflect the extraordinary ambition, discipline, and compassion with which the founder and his team have built this institution.
Student Growth & Global Reach
Academic Excellence & Student Achievement
Countries represented include:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, India, Ireland, Italy, Malawi, Malaysia, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
European & International Partnerships
DBIMA has actively engaged in Erasmus+ European collaboration programmes, substantially expanding its educational reach:
- · E4FMA (KA2 Strategic Partnership): 273 beneficiaries across 7 EU countries
- · Knowing Through Art (KA2 Youth): 118 participants — Spain & France
- · 2030 Photojournalism (KA2 Youth): 83 participants — Spain & France
- · Digital Horizons – CGI & VFX (KA2 VET): 24 professors trained
- Total Erasmus+ beneficiaries: 498 participants
Free & Online Education Initiatives
These initiatives reflect DBIMA’s core conviction that transformative cinema education must be accessible to all, regardless of economic background or geographic location.
The Co-Founder: Sophia ZAIDAT
Educator • International Development Strategist • Cultural Ambassador
Alongside the visionary leadership of John Paul Swaminathan SDB, Sophia Zaidat has played a significant role in the growth and international development of Don Bosco International Media Academy. As Co-Founder of DBIMA, she has been instrumental in strengthening the academy’s global partnerships, student support systems, intercultural initiatives, and institutional outreach, contributing substantially to DBIMA’s emergence as a truly international centre for cinema and media education.
Drawing upon her extensive experience in international relations, educational development, and cross-cultural collaboration, Sophia has worked closely with students, families, partner institutions, and stakeholders across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Her commitment to educational accessibility, diversity, and student well-being has helped shape the academy’s inclusive and globally connected identity.
In recognition of her contribution to the institution’s development and future vision, Sophia Zaidat will assume the office of Director of Don Bosco International Media Academy (DBIMA) in October 2026. Under her leadership, DBIMA will continue to strengthen its international presence, expand innovative academic pathways, and advance its founding mission of empowering young people through cinema, creativity, and ethical media education.
As DBIMA enters its next chapter, Sophia Zaidat’s appointment represents both continuity and renewal, preserving the values that have defined the academy since its foundation while guiding it confidently toward new horizons of excellence, innovation, and global impact.
A Legacy Carried Forward: TIMA Paris
The vision, passion, and tireless dedication of DBIMA’s founder have left an indelible mark on every student, family, and community the institution has touched. In recognition of this enduring legacy, a new chapter has now begun.
DBIMA’s alumni, along with a dedicated parents’ association representing citizens from 36 countries, have come together to honour the founder’s mission by establishing TIMA Paris - a new international non-profit organisation (NGO). Born from the community that DBIMA has shaped over six transformative years, TIMA Paris is committed to continuing the founder’s vision: to empower young people through cinema, to bridge cultures through storytelling, and to ensure that access to world-class media education remains a right, not a privilege.
What began as one man’s founding vision in Paris now lives on in the hands of an international community - students, parents, and dedicated citizens from across the globe - who believe in the transformative power of cinema and the enduring spirit of Don Bosco.
Join the Legacy, Be Part of the Future
DBIMA is more than an academy—it is a movement. A place where history meets innovation, where students don’t just learn; they become part of an elite lineage of creators. At DBIMA, we don’t follow trends; we set them.
“At DBIMA, every dream has a story. And every story has the power to change the world. Join us and become part of something greater—a legacy that has been shaping the future for over a century.”
For more information, contact us at info@dbima.eu | Visit us at dbima.eu / dbima.fr