Aya Domenig was born in Japan in 1972 and grew up in Switzerland. From 1992 until 2000 she studied social anthropology, film studies and japanology at the University of Zurich, gaining an MA degree with her documentary film «Oyakata». From 2001 to 2005 Aya Domenig studied film directing at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). Her graduation film «Haru Ichiban» (fiction, 22 min.) was screened at various international film festivals and was awarded the Prix Cinécinéma at the Premiers Plans Film Festival in Angers. In 2015 her feature length documentary «The Day the Sun Fell» premiered at the 68th edition of the Locarno International Filmfestival (Critics Week). The film was nominated for the Swiss Film Prize 2016 in two categories („Best Documentary Film“ and „Best Film Score“) and was awarded the Swiss Film Prize for „Best Film Score“.
Aya Domenig is a member of the Swiss Film Academy and of the European Film Academy.