A layered CdS/ZnS catalyst film was synthesized on glass using the stepped chemical bath deposition method. The film catalyst was shown as visible light-driven photocatalyst capable of producing H 2 under visible light. The ZnS outer layer helped suppress the recombination of photo-generated electron–hole pairs on the CdS base layer, leading to faster H 2 generation. The use of the ZnS layer also greatly improved the stability of the catalyst film and prevented the leaching of Cd 2+ from the CdS layer. Deposition of Ru on the catalyst film further increased its photoreactivity for H 2 production. The photocatalyst was effective in H 2 production together with the degradation of model organic substances, such as formic acid, methanol, and ethanol. The greatest H 2 production rates were achieved using the CdS/ZnS/Ru film in the formic acid solution at 123μmol/m 2 -h under visible light and 135mmol/m 2 -h under the simulated solar light. The corresponding theoretical reduction rates of chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 1.9 and 2.1g/m 2 -h, respectively. As the multilayer CdS/ZnS/Ru film catalyst can be easily separated from water, it has a great potential for simultaneous photocatalytic hydrogen generation and organic wastewater treatment using solar energy.