Review / Preview

Around 350 film professionals (previous year 300) from various fields took part in the non-representative survey on the international promotion of Swiss films and the activities of SWISS FILMS. With this annual survey, SWISS FILMS takes the pulse of the industry and offers filmmakers the opportunity to provide feedback.

As in previous years, the biggest challenges for 2024 are international competition, the demise of cinemas, the streaming boom and relations with the EU. Of the SWISS FILMS services, the Festival Support, personal consultation services and the “Swiss Films Portal” database were rated as particularly helpful.

In addition to personal networks, the SWISS FILMS industry events, the website and the SWISS FILMS newsletters make a significant contribution to the promotion of Swiss films from the industry's perspective. Over 70% of participants stated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the work of SWISS FILMS.

These survey results encourage SWISS FILMS to continue to focus its international communication on digital channels. In February 2024, SWISS FILMS will launch new newsletter formats to reach additional target groups and expand its digital reach. In terms of content, SWISS FILMS will also increasingly include series and immersive projects. In collaboration with SRG SSR, the promotion of Swiss series in selected markets will be stepped up.

Outlook: The Marché du Film invites to Cannes

In terms of industry activities, in 2024 SWISS FILMS will focus on the Marché du Film in Cannes. As Country of Honour, Switzerland will have an excellent opportunity to present itself as a dynamic coproduction country with innovative start-ups in the audiovisual sector.

Switzerland's invitation as Country of Honour is an initiative of the Marché du Film, in close collaboration with SWISS FILMS. The event is supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Culture and the Swiss media company SRG SSR. Several Swiss partners in the film and innovation sector are supporting the initiative. At the information event in Solothurn, Executive Director Guillaume Esmiol, explained the Marché du Film's decision in favor of Switzerland and emphasized Switzerland's qualities as a coproduction country and place of innovation.

In February, Swiss producers will be invited to apply to the SWISS FILMS Open Call for various industry programmes at the Marché. Guillaume Esmiol also explicitly invited Swiss filmmakers to apply for accreditation as market and festival visitors as part of the Swiss delegation. In collaboration with the Marché, SWISS FILMS is offering a special fee for accreditation to professionals traveling to Cannes for the first time.

Further steps to support Swiss filmmaking

Lucerne will host the prestigious European Film Awards in 2024. SWISS FILMS is taking the gala event as an opportunity to intensify the exchange between Swiss and European filmmakers with targeted networking activities related to the European Film Academy. Programmes curated by SWISS FILMS at renowned European film festivals will boost the international visibility of Swiss filmmaking and the award ceremony in Lucerne.

In Switzerland, preparatory work will be carried out in 2024 for the new domestic promotion activities planned by SWISS FILMS from 2025. In Solothurn, Catherine Mühlemann, President of the SWISS FILMS Foundation Board, explained how this task will be implemented in collaboration with the Federal Office of Culture and in exchange with the Swiss film industry.

Results Industry Survey PDF Industry information