Born in Switzerland, Frédéric Mermoud studies at the University of Geneva where he receives his B.A. in literature followed by a Masters in the philosophy of language. He then attends an art school in Lausanne. During his studies, he makes several shorts: Son jour à elle and then Les Electrons libres. In 2003, he directs L'Escalier for which he receives many awards and in which he already directs Nina Meurisse (whom we'll see again in his first feature). He next directs two shorts: Rachel in 2006 and Le Créneau in 2007, starring Emmanuelle Devos. In 2010, Frederic Mermoud steps up to feature films with Partners.