2017 kicks off with new vigour: films by emerging directors and short films at international festivals

Three debut films will be screened in the Fiction Film Competition at the Film Festival Max Ophuels Prize in Saarbrücken (January 23-29) – the most important festival for works by young filmmakers from German-speaking countries: Michael Koch’s “Marija”, which celebrated its premiere at the Festival del Film Locarno, as well as Timo von Gunten’s “Le voyageur” and Lisa Blatter’s “Sketches of Lou”, both of which celebrated their premieres at the Zurich Film Festival. In addition, Ivo Zen’s “King Of The airs - Notes On A Friendship” is in the running for an award in the Documentary Film Competition. And Liliane Amuat has been nominated for an award as Best Emerging Actress for her performance in “Skizzen von Lou”.

In addition, Timo von Gunten’s film “La femme et le TGV” (on the Academy Awards shortlist for Liva Action Short Film) will be screened in the Medium-Length Film Competition, together with Wendy Pillonel’s “Black Hours” (international premiere). The talented Flurin Giger has taken  everyone by surprise with his first film “Ruah”, which will be screened in the Short Film Competition. The film launched its successful festival career at the Film Festival in Venice and has already been honoured with several awards.

Furthermore, three short animation films and one short film from Switzerland will be screened out of competition in the MOP Shortlist Programme: “Au revoir Balthazar” by Rafael Sommerhalder; “The Bridge Over The River” by Jadwiga Kowalska; “Immersion” by Lalita Brunner; and “Millimeterle” by Pascal Reinmann.

Elene Naveriani’s film “I Am Truly A Drop Of Sun On Earth” (international premiere) will compete in the Bright Future section at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (January 25 - February 5). The short film “The Tale Of Antonia” by Jorge Cadena will be screened in the Tiger Short Films Competition.

Milagros Mumenthaler’s “The Idea Of A Lake” celebrated its world premiere in Locarno in 2016 and will be screened in the Voices section in Rotterdam.  In addition, the two short films “A Place I’ve Never Been” by Adrian Flury and “Le film à venir” by Raúl Ruiz will be presented in the Regained section.

Two Swiss films will be screened in the International Competition at one of the most important festivals for short films – the International Short Film Festival Clermont-Ferrand: “Bon Voyage” by Marc Raymond Wilkins (on the Academy Awards shortlist for Live Action Short Film) and the world premiere of the documentary film “In The Woods” by Corina Schwingruber Ilić and Thomas Horat. And screened in the National Competition are the French short film production “Cabane” by Swiss director Simon Guélat as well as the French-South African-Swiss short film “Lokoza“ by Swiss director Isabelle Mayor and Zee Ntuli.

SWISS FILMS is present at the Short Film Market (stand no. 37) in Clermont-Ferrand from February 5-9.

SWISS FILMS, January 20, 2017