Five Swiss short films in Palm Springs

Five short film productions from Switzerland have been selected for the official programme of the 16th Palm Springs International ShortFest (June 22-28, 2010).

17.06.2010

Five short film productions from Switzerland have been selected for the official programme of the 16th Palm Springs International ShortFest (June 22-28, 2010). The films include Chris Niemeyer’s “Las Pelotas” and Carlo de Rosa’s “Larsen”, both of which have successful festival careers. The short fiction films “Ich bin’s Helmut” by Nicolas Steiner, “Brandstifter” by Felix von Muralt, and “Le Prince du Japon” by Samuel Chalard will all be celebrating their US premieres. Felix von Muralt and Samuel Chalard will attend the festival in Palm Springs to present their films personally.

Chris Niemeyer's football comedy "Las Pelotas", which will be screened simultaneously at festivals in Rome (Arcipelago), Norway (Grimstad Festival) and Munich (Munich Short Film Festival), continues its successful festival career. Carlo de Rosa's "Larsen (Feedback)", which also won an award in the USA (Beverly Hills), is an audacious fiction film purporting the idea that we all carry around our own voice-over that constantly comments on everything. Nicolas Steiner's film "Ich bin's Helmut", which was shot in a single eleven-minute take, will celebrate its US premiere in Palm Springs, after having garnered numerous awards already in Europe. The short film was produced while studying at the Baden-Württemberg Film Academy. Felix von Muralt's "Brandstifter", starring Carlos Léal and Melanie Winiger in the leading roles, and Samuel Chalard's "Le Prince du Japon" will also be screened for the first time in the USA.

The Palm Springs Short Film Festival ranks among the most important events for the short film genre in North America. The festival's host of fringe events and panels, as well as its as well-visited market, all in the near vicinity of Los Angeles renders it an important meeting point for professionals in the film industry. Palm Springs screens a total of 314 short films from 43 countries in 52 thematic programmes. A three-member jury comprised of film professionals presents awards in 18 categories, amounting to a total of 90,000 dollars. The winning films in the festival's main categories of fiction, documentary and animation films qualify for an Academy Award nomination.

Zurich, June 17, 2010

 

Newsletter