Clermont-Ferrand: “Hasta Santiago” and “Montauk” in competition – Ursula Meier in the jury

The 36th International Short Film Festival in Clermont-Ferrand (January 31 - February 8, 2014) will screen four short film productions from Switzerland in various competitions: one fiction film and one animation film in the International Competition; two animation films in the Youth Audience programme.

“Montauk” and “Hasta Santiago” in International Competition
Vinz Feller’s 15-minute fiction film “Montauk” will compete against 74 other short film productions for the Grand Prix. The film was produced by Contrast Film (Zurich/Bern), which had coproduced a Student Oscar winner “Un mundo para Raúl” in 2013. Mauro Carraro’s 13-minute animation film “Hasta Santiago” is the other Swiss production competing for the Festival’s highest distinction. The film, produced by Nadasdy Film (Geneva), celebrated its premiere in Locarno and has already been honoured with many major awards.

New award for Young Audience films
Another animation film produced by Nadasdy Film is on the festival programme in Clermont-Ferrand: “Vigia” by Marcel Barelli. The animated documentary film, which also began its career in Locarno, will compete for the “Coup de Cœur Canal+ Family” award, presented this year for the first time. The film “The Smortlybacks” by Ted Sieger and Wouter Dierickx is also in the running for this award.

Ursula Meier in the international jury
The Swiss filmmaker Ursula Meier, who enjoyed international success with her last fiction film “Sister,” is a member of the International Jury together with four other well-known directors. Two of her earlier short films were screened in competition in Clermont-Ferrand: her 30-minute fiction film “Tous à table” (2000) was honoured with three awards in 2001; “Des heures sans sommeil” (1998) won the Special Jury Prize in 1999.

More than 154,000 visitors
The directors of the films screened in competition will attend the festival in Clermont-Ferrand to present their works personally to the audience, thanks to support from SWISS FILMS. The promotion agency is present with an information stand at the film market which attracts some 3,200 accredited film professionals. With more than 154,000 visitors last year, the festival in Clermont-Ferrand is the second largest film festival in France, following Cannes.

Geneva, January 27, 2014