Paul Zinder received his MFA in Film from the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University in 1996. He has taught film and media production, studies, and screenwriting at Syracuse University, Towson University, the University of Maryland (Baltimore County), New School University (New York City – online), and Temple University (Rome).

Paul taught in Italy for 11 years as Associate Professor of Film and Digital Media and Chair of the Department of Communication and English at The American University of Rome, where he was given the AUR Award of Excellence “for teaching effectiveness and leadership in the formation of students” (2009/2010).

Today, he is Senior Lecturer of Film Production at the University of Gloucestershire in Cheltenham, England, where he was nominated for a Staff Award as part of the most Outstanding Team (Film Production, 2019 and 2023), for a Student Led Teaching Award for Most Inspiring Lecturer (2014 and 2015), and for a Staff Excellence Award for “promoting enterprise, employability, and wider economic, social and cultural benefit for the community” (2013).

He teaches modules for both the BA and MA in Film Production, including: Documentary, Narrative, Production I and II, Creative Screen Production, Scriptwriting, and Cult Film and Television.