Balance 2012: SWISS FILMS reinforces the international presence of Swiss productions

The international presence and awareness of Swiss film productions increased once again in 2012: with support from SWISS FILMS, Swiss film productions were invited to the 12 top festivals worldwide, and more than 100 works were screened in the main sections of the 50 most important festivals. This amounts to an increase of approximately 10% compared to the previous year. Furthermore, the promotion agency intermediated 26 programmes encompassing a total of 280 Swiss films at international events – film festivals, for the most part. These platforms devoted retrospectives to works, for example, by Richard Dindo, Isabelle Favez, Vadim Jendreyko, Ursula Meier, Georges Schwizgebel and Jacqueline Veuve, or screened a thematic programme of films from Switzerland.

Visibility bolsters distribution
Festivals are still the most important distribution platforms: a film attracts attention when it is screened at festivals. “For Swiss films, visibility is the key to the audience,” adds Josefa Haas, the Foundation’s president. Almost 120 works were honoured with awards last year  – with multiple awards for many – and thereby obtaining exceptional visibility. Especially for documentary films, which generated approximately 25% of the total amount of CHF 470'000 in monetary prizes and non-cash benefits, and for short films generating 55%, these awards constitute an additional financing which should not be underestimated. Several films attained outstanding international recognition: the fiction film “Sister” (Silver Bear in Berlin, shortlisted for an Oscar nomination); the documentary films “Hiver nomade” (European Film Award) and “More Than Honey” (German Film Award). At the same time, these and other films demonstrated excellent performance in international distribution.

Film programmes ensure international awareness
SWISS FILMS intermediates film programmes at a select number of renowned international festivals. These film programmes continue to rate high in the Foundation’s promotional work. In 2012 the Federal Office of Culture assumed the performance-based contract which SWISS FILMS previously had with Pro Helvetia for this area. In Latin America, which has been a focus region for SWISS FILMS since 2010, works by Fernand Melgar, Juan José Lozano and Alain Tanner, among others were presented and tremendously well received. It is noteworthy that the film programmes were mainly comprised of more recent films. Only 22% of the films had their cinematic release before the turn of the century.

Film data and information – an important source for the industry
By linking the information on the SWISS FILMS website with social media platforms, the promotion agency was able to increase the information output on Swiss filmmaking. The website had 28% more visits than the previous year. Access to www.swissfilms.ch by visitors via Facebook pages increased by 66% during the same time period. Performance was also evident in the provision of information. The film data accessible online serves as the basis for numerous institutions in the industry. By now, there are 3'800 Swiss films documented online with comprehensive data, including their festival careers and awards. Further details can be found in the Annual Report.

Opening doors for international recognition
Distribution support, information, film programmes screened abroad, as well as high-profile events in Switzerland – the Swiss Film Award, the Appellations Suisse film series in Locarno and the Short Film Night Tour: these are all components which SWISS FILMS has developed in close collaboration with the film industry. They serve to open doors for Swiss filmmakers in obtaining international recognition in Berlin, Cannes, Karlovy Vary, Locarno, Mar del Plata, Montreal, Park City, San Sebastian, Shanghai, Toronto, Venice and Warsaw. Josefa Haas summarises: ”Last year SWISS FILMS demonstrated an impressive performance with respect to promotion at film markets and in the intermediation of cultural programmes. This year, with the new director Catherine Ann Berger, SWISS FILMS will intently continue to develop proven strategies and seize opportunities for further innovations.”

Zürich, June 27, 2013