2005 Summary of Swiss Films at International Festivals
22.11.2005
Even though the number of feature films produced in 2005 (11 movies) is far below 2004 (20 movies), a strong presence of feature films in major sections at important film festivals was maintained. (2005: 17, 2004: 15, 2003: 7, 2002: 10; with some films shown at several festivals). A significant increase occurred in the number of Swiss documentary films shown at important international festivals (2005: 22, 2004: 13, 2003: 11, 2002: 9; with some films shown at several festivals).
At the Berlinale, “Coca- The Dove from Chechnya” by Eric Bergkraut, “Feline Masquerade” by Veronika Minder, and “Hi Maya” by Claudia Lorenz were screened in the Forum and Panorama sections which provided an ideal platform to begin these films’ remarkable festival tours. At the Festival des Films du Monde, three new feature films premiered – “The Headsman” by Simon Aeby, “Ryna” by Ruxandra Zenide, and “Fragile” by Laurent Nègre. Their theatrical release in Switzerland will occur shortly. The documentary film “The Giant Buddhas” by Christian Frei, which premiered in Locarno, received great international attention in Toronto as part of the “Real to Reel” section. The film has received several festival invitations and was bestowed the Golden Dove award in Leipzig. The showing of Samir’s feature film “Snow White” had been greatly anticipated at Locarno and has since found its audience in movie theatres, while “Jo Siffert Live Fast – Die Young” by Men Lareida was screened at the Piazza Grande.
Substantial awards went to Peter Entell’s for “Josh’s Trees” in Montreal (Grand Jury Prize) and to Ruxandra Zenide for “Ryna” in Geneva (Grand Prize Reflet d’Or). Similarly, Claudia Lorenz’ short film “Hi Maya” received the UIP Prize in Berlin while Peter Volkart was given the prize for Best Short Film for “Terra Incognita.”
The new guidelines for foreign promotion established in mid-2005, combined with providing financial support for festivals of CHF 200,000/year, and CHF 300,000 for festival copies, have already had promising results: During the second half of 2005, a significant increase in festival participation occurred in comparison to 2004 (2nd half of 2005: 43 selections for 16 festivals, 2nd half of 2004: 30 selections for 11 festivals).
Zurich, November 22, 2005
Films
113
Absolut
Angry Monk
Aristide And The Endless Revolution
Chyenne
Coca – The Dove From Chechnya
Dance of Freedom
Delwende, lève-toi et marche
Der Keiler
Die kleine Monsterin
Die Vogelpredigt
Drum Bun (gute Reise)
Exit
Face Addict
Floh!
fragile
Frohe Ostern
Gambit
Gigolo
Headsman
Herr Goldstein
Hoi Maya
Jo Siffert Live Fast – Die Young
Josh's Trees
Katzenball
KussKuss
L'homme sans ombre
La limace
La nébuleuse du cœur
La nuit et tout les autres jours
Männer am Meer
Maria Bethânia, música é perfume
Neviss – Kings on the Run
Paul s'en va
Rush
Ryna
Snow White
Stages
Terra incognita
The Giant Buddhas
Tout un hiver sans feu
Une nuit blanche
Unser America
Wackelkontakt
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