Stuttgart: Switzerland. Country in Focus

Swiss Focus at Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film ITFS

Swiss animated film is not only very productive, but also very successful internationally. The output of this small country is enormous. In collaboration with SWISS FILMS, the Swiss Consulate General, the professional association of Swiss animation filmmakers GSFA (Groupement Suisse du Film d’Animation) and Presence Switzerland, ITFS will present not less than five short film programmes, including programmes such as Swiss Women Animation, Future Minds - Talents to Watch, an In Persona Programme dedicated to Maja Gehrig, and two open air screening, for kids and adults.

The Lucerne Film School of Design (hslu) will also be part of the focus, bringing two programmes to Stuttgart: the now traditional Animation Lucerne meets adult swim, plus a School Presentation Programme.

The Swiss focus brings fresh discoveries alongside familiar faces, including animator Elie Chapuis, who presented the film (on which he worked on) NO DOGS OR ITALIANS ALLOWED at ITFS 2024 and hosted a masterclass. In 2025, he will organise a puppet and set exhibition for the stop-motion film SAUVAGES (2024), which will be on display during the festival week in Stuttgart. Claude Barras, filmmaker of SAUVAGES will also be part of the swiss guests, opening his exhibition and giving a Masterclass. New faces and new talents in the fields of gaming and XR/VR will also be part of the focus, introducing to the audiene Michael Frei and Simon deDiesbach, both taking part in the Making Of Program.

The Animation Production Days APD will also focus on Switzerland’s animation industry.