“Focus on Switzerland” at Festival in Bristol
Short film productions from Switzerland have a strong presence at the Encounters Festival in Bristol: the festival has compiled in collaboration with SWISS FILMS – a “Focus on Switzerland” programme comprised of 29 Films.
16.09.2013
The 19th Bristol Encounters Short and Animation Festival (September 17-22, 2013) will honour Swiss filmmaking with a “Focus” programme, organised by the festival in collaboration with SWISS FILMS, the promotion agency. The young Swiss film director Marie-Elsa Sgualdo will present her four short film productions, ranging from “Vas-y je t’aime” (2009) to “Man kann nicht alles auf einmal tun, aber man kann alles auf einmal lassen” (2013). Her latest film celebrated its premiere in the Director’s Fortnight in Cannes last May and will also be screened in the festival’s International Competition.
“The Chalet Show!” and “Triptychon Installation”
A programme showcasing 15 animation film productions will be presented under the title “The Chalet Show! Animation Giants from Switzerland.” Festival-goers have the opportunity to discover a variety of productions from the past five years which were successful at international festivals, with numerous Swiss filmmakers in attendance: for example, “Die Seilbahn” (2008) by Claudius Gentinetta and Frank Braun; or “Miramare” (2009) by Michaela Müller. Furthermore, the artist Yves Netzhammer will personally present the “Triptychon Installation” featuring his essays “Dialogischer Abrieb” (2011), “Vororte der Körper” (2012) and his most recent work “Formales Gewissen”, together with composer Bernd Schurer. A programme comprised of seven films compiled by the International Short Film Festival Winterthur will also be screened.
Franz Treichler and Isabelle Favez - jury members
Franz Treichler, singer and member of the band The Young Gods, is a jury member for the Live Action Short Films Competition. As the conclusion to the “Swiss Day” programme, he will also offer a stage performance called “Franz plays Dada” on September 20. Bernese film director Isabelle Favez is a jury member for the Animated Short Films Competition and will also offer a masterclass.
13 Swiss works in International Competition
The International Competition is divided into three strands, presenting live action short films, animation films and mixed format short films. Thirteen Swiss productions were selected for this year’s festival – two in the Live Action Competition and eleven in the Animated Competition. The festival in Bristol is one of the most important platforms in Great Britain for the short film genre. In addition it is a partner of the European Film Awards and Cartoon d’Or: the winning films in Bristol can thus be submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for an Oscar nomination.
Geneva, September 16, 2013