Karlovy Vary 2023
Future Frames with Kim Allamand and a world premiere by Thomas Imbach
26.06.2023
A total of nine Swiss films and co-productions can be seen in the various programmes of the renowned Karlovy Vary International Film Festival KVIFF (30.6.-8.7.2023). On recommendation by SWISS FILMS, Swiss filmmaker Kim Allamand is selected to participate in the Future Frames talent programme of the European Film Promotion EFP with his latest short HEART FRUIT. Thomas Imbach's new film SAY GOD BYE will celebrate its world premiere in the "Proxima" competition of the 57th edition of KVIFF.
Kim Allamand is one of ten promising European filmmakers selected by the EFP for the Future Frames - Generation NEXT of European Cinema programme. In Karlovy Vary he will present his graduation film HEART FRUIT, a 20-minute short film about the phenomenon of romantic love in all its facets, going beyond stereotypes.
Kim Allamand (*1988) lives and works in Zurich. His short film is the graduation film for his Master's degree in film at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste ZHdK (Zurich University of the Arts). HEART FRUIT celebrated its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival in August 2022. It was also screened at the San Sebastian Film Festival and won the German Film Critics' Short Film Prize at the Dresden Film Festival last April.
In Karlovy Vary, Kim Allamand will have the opportunity to present his film in person and make valuable contacts in the industry at international level. He will also be able to take part in an exclusive masterclass with Polish director Agnieszka Smoczyńska as his mentor. In her masterclass, entitled "How to make your first film", she will talk about her experience and encourage young talents to let their ideas take them forward and persevere in the path they have set for themselves.
The Future Frames programme, now in its eighth year, is a collaboration between the EFP and KVIFF. SWISS FILMS is a founding member of the EFP and as such can propose Swiss filmmakers to take part in talent and networking programmes, such as the Shooting Stars at the Berlinale or Producers on the Move in Cannes.
Swiss premieres and acclaimed productions in Karlovy Vary
The independent filmmaker and producer of Okofilm Productions Thomas Imbach will be presenting the world premiere of his personal film SAY GOD BYE as part of the Proxima Competition. A film about Jean-Luc Godard, the "God of cinema", who has fascinated him all his life. An original and playful diary, filmed both with a smartphone and on 35mm film. In his journey, Thomas Imbach looks back on his own career, engaging in a dialogue with his lifelong role model.
Jean-Gabriel Périot's documentary FACING DARKNESS will also premiere in the Special Screenings category. This French-Swiss-German production, co-produced by Alina film and the RTS, is a cinematic journey through the occupation of Sarajevo, an impressive testimony by filmmakers who took part in the war at the same time.
Karlovy Vary will also play host to the Swiss productions BLACKBIRD BLACKBIRD BLACKBERRY by Elene Naveriani (Alva Film) and LA CHIMERA by Alice Rohrwacher – coproduced by Amka Films – which premiered at Cannes.
FAIRPLAY by Zoel Aeschbacher (Box Productions), a multi-award-winning festival favourite, will be screened as part of the Pragueshorts programme. This short film premiered in Locarno in 2022, where it won the Pardi di domani - Junior Jury Awards for the best Swiss short film. This year, it won the Special Jury Prize at the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival.
The other films with Swiss participation are:
SCONOSCIUTI PURI by Valentina Cicogna and Mattia Colombo (Swiss coproduction Amka Films Productions), world premiere at the Festival Visions du Réel in Nyon 2022
MON PIRE ENNEMI by Mehran Tamadon (Swiss coproduction Box Productions), world premiere at the 73rd Berlinale 2023
FILM ANNONCE DU FILM "DRÔLES DE GUERRES" by Jean-Luc Godard (Swiss coproduction L’Atelier), world premiere at Cannes 2023