Swiss short films in the running for a nomination at the Oscars

01.10.2008

Two short films from Switzerland are registered at the 81st Academy Awards: the 30-minute film “Auf der Strecke” by Reto Caffi is allowed to enter the category “Live Action Short Film”, whereas the short animated film "Retouches” by Georges Schwizgebel” is eligible for the “Animated Short Films” category. Both films are hoping for a nomination on 22 January 2009.
The two Swiss films meet the criteria for a nomination at the 2009 Oscars for different reasons: “Auf der Strecke” has won two prizes, which open the door to the prestigious Academy Awards: the Grand Prix at the International Short Film Festival in Clermont-Ferrand and the Honorary Foreign Film Student Award 2008 (student film Oscar). “Retouches”, on the other hand, is having ist public première over three days in Los Angeles. The National Film Board (NFB), the Canadian co-producer of the film, is responsible for judging the film during ist performance.



The only two criteria which enable a short film to be nominated at the Academy Awards are either a main prize awarded by a short film festival acknowledged by the Academy or being judged during three consecutive days (with at least two showings) in Los Angeles.



The nominations in all categories will be announced on 22 January 2009. The awards ceremony will be held on 22 February 2009 in Los Angeles. Upon a recommendation by the Federal Office for Culture, the Swiss short film “Der Freund” by Micha Lewinsky is applying for a nomination in the category “Foreign Language Film”.



Geneva, 1 October 2008
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