Swiss animation and documentary films in Leipzig

“The Sound Of Insects” will be one of the five films screened in the Doc Alliance Selection programme and thus competing for the Special Award, endowed with 5,000 euros. Filmmaker Peter Liechti, from St. Gallen, will present his film, which was recently honoured with the European Film Award - Prix Arte. Screened in the German Competition, with a Golden Dove amounting to 10,000, will be the Swiss-German coproduction “Die Frau mit den 5 Elefanten”. The film will be presented personally by film director Vadim Jendreyko. Screened in the international competition will be the 43-minute Canadian film “Petropolis – Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands” by Canadian-Swiss filmmaker Peter Mettler.

Filmmaker Erich Langjahr has frequently been invited to Leipzig for more than 20 years. This year he will present the film “Geburt” in the International Programme, together with his partner and co-director Silvia Haselbeck. Also featured in the International Programme is the film “Bassidji” by Iranian filmmaker Mehran Tamadon (co-production: Box Production). And the Swiss animation films screened in Leipzig include: “In Limbo” by Michelle Ettlin in the Anima Panorama; “FC Murmeli” by Jochen Ehmann and Dustin Rees; and “Me And My Monster” by Claudia Röthlin in the Children’s Animation Programme.

The film promotion agency, SWISS FILMS, will present eight further Swiss documentary films at the DOK Market in Leipzig, which runs parallel to the festival. Professionals from the industry are invited to join SWISS FILMS for a aperitif on October 29.

Zurich, October 23. 2009