Foreign distribution promoted for seven Swiss films

10.10.2007

The theatrical releases of two Swiss fiction films – “Breakout” in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, “Vitus” in Spain – and of five documentary films – “Bruno Manser – Laki Penan” and “Heimatklänge” in Germany, “A Crude Awakening – The Oil Crash” in United Kingdom, “Retour à Gorée” and “Zeit des Abschieds” in France – will be supported with financial contributions totaling 70’000 Euro (116’000 CHF). In a third round of funding allocations in September, the committee responsible granted export promotions for these seven films to foreign distributors. With this new tool, SWISS FILMS – in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Office of Culture – increases the likelihood for the films’ successes abroad.

Since 2007, SWISS FILMS has promoted the export of Swiss films and majority co-productions for theatrical distribution abroad. A total of 300’000 CHF are available to support export projects. Foreign distributors, which bring Swiss films to movie screens, will receive a total of 25’000 Euro (40’000 CHF) per film and per country. Distributors from MEDIA member countries have priority for receiving grants, while the funding cannot be combined with the MEDIA selective support.

Members of the “Utilization and Diversity” committee, presided over by Carola Stern (Cobra Film, Zurich) are: Frank Braun (movie theatre Riff Raff, Zurich), Laurent Dutoit (Agora Films, Genf), and Cyril Thurston (Xenix Film Distribution, Zurich). SWISS FILMS and the Swiss Federal Office of Culture serve in an advisory role. The grants are awarded in four rounds (March, June, September, December).

Zurich, October 10th, 2007

Distribution Support, third round 2007 PDF


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