Paul Zils
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- June 18, 1915
- Died
- March 30, 1979
- Birthplace
- Wuppertal, Germany
Paul Zils (18 June 1915 – 30 March 1979) was a German-Indian documentary filmmaker who played a major role in the development of Indian documentary filmmaking. Born in Germany, Zils moved to India in the late 1940s, where he became deeply involved in the country's burgeoning film industry, particularly in the documentary genre. He is best known for his collaborations with the Films Division of India, where he worked as both a director and a producer, helping to shape the documentary film landscape in post-independence India. Zils was instrumental in capturing the social and political changes occurring in India during the mid-20th century, focusing on issues such as poverty, agriculture, and cultural heritage. His films were notable for their sensitivity to Indian traditions and issues, and his work brought global attention to the power of documentary cinema as a tool for social change.
Filmography
- Asiatische Religionen
Asiatische Religionen 1965
Director

Buddhismus in Ceylon 1963
Director, Writer
- The Vanishing Tribe
The Vanishing Tribe 1959
Director

Martial Dances of Malabar 1958
Director
- New Life of a Displaced Person
New Life of a Displaced Person 1957
Director
- Maa, the Story of an Unmarried Person
Maa, the Story of an Unmarried Person 1957
Director
- Fifty Miles from Poona
Fifty Miles from Poona 1957
Director
- The School
The School 1956
Director
- The Ripening Seed
The Ripening Seed 1956
Director
- Textiles
Textiles 1956
Director
- Oraons of Bihar
Oraons of Bihar 1955
Director
- Fisherfolk of Bombay
Fisherfolk of Bombay 1955
Director
- Agriculture
Agriculture 1955
Director
- Ujala
Ujala 1954
Director
- Family in Bangalore
Family in Bangalore 1954
Director
- Shabash
Shabash 1952
Director

Zalzala 1952
Director
- Our India
Our India 1950
Director
- India Is Ours
India Is Ours 1950
Director
- Two Worlds
Two Worlds 1949
Director
- White Magic
White Magic 1949
Director
- A Tiny Thing Brings Death
A Tiny Thing Brings Death 1949
Director
- The Last Jewel
The Last Jewel 1949
Director
- General Motors in India
General Motors in India 1949
Director
- Kurwandi Road
Kurwandi Road 1948
Director
- Child
Child 1948
Director
- Mother-Child-Community
Mother-Child-Community 1948
Director
- India's Struggle for National Shipping
India's Struggle for National Shipping 1947
Director
- Mother
Mother 1947
Director, Producer
- Community
Community 1947
Director
- Bombay, the Story of Seven Isles
Bombay, the Story of Seven Isles 1945
Director

Fanny Elssler 1937
Assistant Director

Seven Slaps 1937
Assistant Director

Lucky Kids 1936
Assistant Director
Credits from TMDB.