“Die Standesbeamtin” and “La Forteresse” in Shanghai

Fernand Melgar's multi-award-winning documentary film "La Forteresse" will participate in the Documentary Film Competition at the 16th Shanghai TV Festival (June 7-11). The festival is one of the most important international platforms in the Asian TV industry. Melgar will personally present his film, which portrays a reception centre for asylum-seekers. Also participating in the competition is Till Endemann's television film "Flug in die Nacht", a screen adaptation of the consequences of the plane crash which occurred near Überlingen, Germany.

Micha Lewinsky's successful comedy "Die Standesbeamtin" will be screened at the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival, which is held subsequent to the Shanghai TV Festival (June 12-20). Micha Lewinsky was already invited to the festival in Shanghai with his fiction film "Der Freund" in 2008. Rounding off the Swiss presence in Shanghai will be the film "Open Diaries", the award-winning film debut by the Swiss-based Canadian film director Sasha Anna Schriber.
The Shanghai International Film Festival has showcased Swiss film productions for the past two years: in 2009 with "Focus Switzerland" and in 2008 with "Swiss Female Filmmakers". The Shanghai International Film Festival ranks among the twelve A-category film festivals accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Association (FIAPF). Professionals in the industry regard the festival as one of the most important platforms for the future distribution of films to China.

The film presence at the film festival in Shanghai was initiated by SWISS FILMS. It is part of the "Swiss Chinese Cultural Explorations" exchange programme for which SWISS FILMS and the Swiss Arts Council (Pro Helvetia) have selected a number of projects, aiming to foster collaboration and long-term exchanges between Switzerland and China.

Zurich, June 4, 2010