Production

A short film by Jela Hasler, in coproduction with SRF

With Sofia Elena Borsani

Summertime in a city. The coolness of a morning swim in the river quickly vanishes as the heat exacerbates insignificant daily nuisances. As Eli tries to escape the narrowness and agitation of the city, she keeps on facing aggression. Her rage starts to build up.

Festivals:

• Semaine de la Critique Cannes
• Sarajevo IFF, European Shorts
• GwangHwaMun International Short Film Festival Seoul, Korea
• Guanajuato International Film Festival, Mexico
• Montreal Festival du nouveau cinéma, Canada
• 40th Uppsala Short Film Festival, Sweden
• Kurzfilmtage Winterthur, Switzerland
• GIFF Geneva International Film Festival, Switzerlandx

World Sales: Kurzfilmagentur Hamburg
Festival Distribution: Kapitein Kort

A film by Milo Rau, in coproduction with Fruitmarket, IIPM, Matera 2019, SRF/SRG, ZDF in cooperation with Arte

with Yvan Sagnet, Marcello Fonte, Enrique Irazoqui, Maia Morgenstern

Awards:

• Swiss Film Award 2021: Best Documentary
• German Documentary Film Award 2021: Nomination Best Documentary

Festivals:

• Giornate degli Autori Venedig 2020
• IDFA Amsterdam, int. competition 2020
• Human Rights Film Festival Zurich 2020
• Solothurner Filmtage 2021, Comp. Prix de Soleure 2021
• FIFDH Geneva, int comp. 2021
• HUMAN International Documentary Film Norway 2021
• Cinéma du Réel, Paris, 2021 / Special Screening 2021
• Thessaloniki Documentary Festival 2021
• Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Poland 2021
• Locarno Int. Film Festival, Panorama Suisse 2021
• DOC NYC 2021

Distribution Switzerland: Vinca Film

World Sales: Cat&Docs

directed by Micha Lewinsky, in coproduction with SRF & Teleclub

Starring: Philippe Graber, Miriam Stein, Mike Müller, Michael Maertens

In 1989, Switzerland was shocked by a scandal: over 900’000 people were monitored for their political convictions. The zealous policeman Viktor Schuler is sent to the Zurich Schauspielhaus to observe the left-wing theatre scene. But soon he falls in love with the actress Odile, whom he is supposed to monitor. There is no going back: He must choose between his mission and his heart.

Awards:

• Swiss Film Award 2020: best actress (Miriam Stein), nomination best fiction film, best script
• Zurich Film Award 2020: Special award

Festivals (selection):

• Solothurner Filmtage 2020, Eröffnungsfilm & Prix du Public
• Mostra Sao Paulo, Brazil 2020
• Camerimage, Poland 2020
• Chennai IFF, India 2021
• Santa Barbara IFF 2021
• Cleveland IFF, comp. 2021

Distribution Switzerland: Vinca Film
World Sales: Patra Spanou Film

Animated short by Maja Gehrig

During a PowerPoint presentation, statistical diagrams are breaking free from the strait-jacket of their coordinates. A trip into the sensual world of statistics begins.

Awards:

• Swiss Film Award 2020: Best Animation
• ISFF Clermont-Ferrand 2020, Special Jury Mention Lab Competition
• REGARD - ISFF Saguenay 2020: Special Mention for Animation
• Prix Ars Electronica 2020 Award of Distinction in Computer Animation
• Fantoche 2020: Swiss Youth Award
• Supernova Digital Animation Festival 2020, Grand prize, World of Fire competition
• Animatou IAFF 2020: Best soundtrack & winner Labo Competition
• Anifilm 2020: Award Best Abstract and Non-narrative animation
• Zurich Film Award 2020: special prize short films
• Animateka 2020: Grand Prix
• London Int. Animation Festival 2020 Best Sound & Music
• VOID 2021: Lejf Marcussen Award
• Kaboom Film Festival 2021: Best experimental Film
• Animatricks Animation Festival 2021: Best experimental Award
• Insomnia 2021: Best experimental animation Award
• MONSTRA 2021 Best Experimental Short Film Award

Festivals:

• DOK Leipzig 2019, Int. competition
• int. Kurzfilmtage Winterthur 2019, CH Competition
• Interfilm Berlin 2019, special program
• ISFF Clermont-Ferrand 2020, Lab Competition
• Annecy Film Festival 2020 - int. competition
• REGARD Saguenay - int. Comp. 2020
• Tricky Women Animation Festival 2020
• ITFS Stuttgart 2020 - Panorama
• Vienna Shorts 2020 – comp. Animation Avantgarde
• 60th  Krakow Film Festival 2020 - int. short film competition
• IndieLisboa 2020, Silvestre competition
• Fantoche 2020, Int. & Swiss Competition
• Anibar International Animation Festival 2020
• Sitges int. Fantastic FF, Anima't Competition 2020
• Uppsala ISFF, Grand Prix Competition 2020
• Animateka, int. Competition 2020
• 35e Festival Européen du Film Court de Brest 2020
• Anifilm Liberec, int. Competition 2020
• MONSTRA 2021, short film Comp.  2021
• Mecal Pro, Animation Competition 2021
• Athens Int. Film & Video Festival 2021
  ...and approx. 100 other festivals

Word Sales: Miyu

Third edition of 5x5x5

5 Directors - 5 African Countries - 5 Documentaries: In Autumn 2019, we welcomed 5 African directors to the city of Winterthur, where they spent 5 weeks making 5 short documentaries, offering unexpected and very personal views of the city and, by extension, of Switzerland.

Directors: Kantarama Gahigiri (Rwanda), Simplice Ganou (Burkina Faso), Yanis Kheloufi (Algeria), Hajooj Kuka (Sudan), Nomanzi Palesa Shongwe (South Africa).

In coproduction with Studienrichtung Video, Hochschule Luzern – Design & Kunst and in collaboration with int. Kurzfilmtagen Winterthur

Awards:

• „Ethereality“: Best int. short, Rastro Film Festival 2020
• „Ethereality“: Best short, Africa Nativa Rural Film Festival (Chile)
• „Ethereality“: Q21 residency award in the exp:an:ded shorts Competition of this human world
• „Ethereality“: best short documentary Nova Frontier Film Festival, USA 2021
• „Ethereality“: best short documentary Short Encounters Film Festival, Greece 2021
• „Ethereality“: Special Mention, Mostra de Cinemas Africanos, Brazil 2021

Festivals:

• Int. Kurzfilmtage Winterthur 2019
• ISFF Clermont-Ferrand 2020, Special Screening

ETHEREALITY (Selection):

• AFROFUTURISTIK (Quartiers Lointains 6) 2020/2021
• La Guarimba, Italy, Documentary section, August 2020
• Rastro Film Festival, Brasilia, int. competition, 2020
• 8ème Panorama Digital Cinema Suisse São Paulo 2020
• 56th Chicago International Film Festival 2020, int. Short film competition
• Zуzimo Bulbul Black Film Festival 2020,Brazil
• Arica Nativa Rural Film Festival ( Chile ) - Novembre
• iAfrica Film Festival- (Pay-Bas)- du 9-11 October 2020
• This Human World, Austria, int. shorts competition 2020
• Film Africa, London (UK) 2020
• International Usak Winger Seahorse short film festival (Turkey) 2020
• Festival international du film documentaire de Saint-Louis (Senegal)
• Festival de Cinéma Image et vie – ( Senegal ) 2020
• Hayti Heritage Film Festival – ( United States of America )  2021
• RAI Film Festival – ( United Kingdom ) 2021
• Int. Womens Film Festival (Turkey) 2021
• Hamburg Shortfilm Festival 2021
• The Lift-Off Sessions (UK)
• Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur 2021
• Fespaco (Burkina Faso) 2021

L'INCONNU (Selection):

• Sheffield Doc/fest 2020, Rebellions section
• Doclisboa 2020/21
• Leeds International Film Festival (UK)
• Arica Nativa Rural Film Festival ( Chile )
• Festival des identités culturelles – ( Burkina Faso )
• Festival de Cinéma Image et vie – ( Senegal ) 2020
• Hayti Heritage Film Festival – ( USA ) 2021
• Fespaco (Burkina Faso) 2021

World Sales: Sudu connection („L’inconnu“ & „Ethereality“)

TV-Series by Güzin Kar, directed by: Güzin Kar & Cosima Frei, in coproduction with SRF

Mit Vera Bommer, Nicola Mastroberardino, Leonardo Nigro, Wanda Wylowa, Beren Tuna, Jürg Plüss etc.

2nd season of the TV-Series

World Sales: Betafilm

TV-Series by Güzin Kar, directed by: Güzin Kar & Markus Welter, in coproduction with SRF

Starring: Vera Bommer, Nicola Mastroberardino, Leonardo Nigro, Wanda Wylowa, Sunnyi Melles, Peter Jecklin and many more.

Awards:

European Script Award 2018: Most Innovative Script - Necomer Series

Available on VOD and DVD
World Sales: Betafilm

Feature by Lorenz Suter

With Nicolas Batthyany, Jeanne Devos, Marina Guerrini

A love letter to Film Noir:

Tamás (36) never wanted to get close to people. But he can’t get over Norika (29) who appears as suddenly in his life as she vanishes - without a trace. When her sister Annika (28) reports her as missing Tamás is suspected. Annika claims he has been following them. Tamás, however, sticks to his own truth: Seduced by the sisters, he slipped from a simple affair into a fatal love triangle.

Festivals:

• Hofer Filmtage 2017
• Max Ophüls Preis 2018, MOP Watchlist
• Solothurner Filmtage 2018

Documentary by Milo Rau, in coproduction with Fruitmarket Kultur und Medien GmbH

In more than 20 years, the Congo War has claimed six million lives. The population suffers from impuity, the war-crimes have nerver been legally prosecuted. Due to the high occurrence of "high-tech raw materials", many consider the conflict as one of the most decisive economic battles for the share in the era of globalization.

For "The Congo Tribunal", Milo Rau gathered victims, perpetrators, witnesses and analysts of the Congo War for a unique civil tribunal in Eastern Congo. For the first time in the history of this war, 3 exemplary cases were heard, exposing an unveiled portrait of one of the biggest and bloodiest economic wars in the history of mankind.

Awards:

• Zurich Film Award 2017: Best Documentary
• Swiss Film Award 2018: Nomination Best Documentary & best Soundtrack
• German Film Award 2018: Nomination Best Documentary
• Dok Leipzig 2017: Honorary Mention in the International Competition
• Int. Festival Signs of the Night - Bangkok 2018: Winner Best Documentary

Festivals (Selection):

Locarno Festival 2017, Semaine de la critique, DOKLeipzig 2017, Int. Wettbewerb, this human world Festival Wien 2017, IFF Rotterdam 208, CPH:DOX, Kopenhagen 2018, Sheffield Doc/Fest 2018 and many more.

Available on VOD and DVD

World Sales: Magnetfilm
 

A production from Fruitmarket an Langfilm / in coproduction with IIPM - International Institute of Political Murder / SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen - SRG SSR / ZDF in cooperation mit ARTE / Film supported by Film- und Medienstiftung NRW / Bundesamt für Kultur (BAK), Schweiz / BKM - Die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien / Kanton St.Gallen Kulturförderung - Swisslos / Zürcher Filmstiftung / DFFF - Deutscher Filmförderfonds / Migros-Kulturprozent / Volkart Stiftung

Feature by Rolf Lyssy, in coproduction with SRF- SRG SSR, Teleclub & Diagonalfilm
Script: Dominik Bernet & Rolf Lyssy
With Monica Gubser, Delia Mayer, Suly Röthlisberger, Daniel Bill, Anikó Donáth, Peter Jecklin, Michael Rutman

Gertrud (89) has only one thing in mind when she smiles at the man online, even though she has no memory of doing so: to determine the final stages of her life herself before winding up in the dementia ward. But neither her end-of-life therapist or her family nor her suitor can be coaxed into honouring her request.

Premiere:

Zurich Film Festival 2017

Awards:

• Swiss Film Award 2018: Nomination Best Actress
• Music + Sound Award 2018: Nomination best score

Theatrical Release Switzerland:

November 2017, Distribution: Vinca Film

Feature by Jann Preuss, 80 Min., in coproduction with SRF and Teleclub

Script: Jann Preuss, cinematography: Jasper Granderath

Starring: Urs Jucker, Liliane Amuat

Handling depression, writer's block and parent counseling is no big deal. It's falling in love that gets Jonas in real trouble. "The Frog" is a bittersweet comedy about life's crises - and how to make them worse. Inspired by the director’s own life.

Festivals & Awards:

• Solothurner Filmtage 2017, Biberacher Filmfestspiele 2017, The Victoria Film Festival 2018
• Nomination Swiss Film Award 2017: Best Actor

Available on VOD

World Sales: KSM

The second edition of 5x5x5: 5 well-known filmmakers from Syria, Palestine, Israel Ukraine and Russia were invited to Winterthur for 5 weeks. Together with Swiss film students, they realised a short documentary about the theme „Exile“. The result is a documentary with 5 episodes and 5 personal, touching, yet provocative views of Switzerland.

5 short documentaries, directed by:Dmytro Tiazhlov, Alina Rudnitskaya, Naama Noach, Layla Abyad, Sahera Dirbas, ca. 60 min., a co-production between: Langfilm & Zurich University of the Arts ZHdK, in collaboration with: Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts HSLU & Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur

Premiere: Kurzfilmtage Winterthur 2015

Festivals (Selection, partly only individual episodes):

IDFA Amsterdam 2017, Dokufest Prizren 2016, Bogoshorts Bogotá 2016, 28. Filmfest Dresden, Best of Swiss Film Festival Leysin 2016, Regard Int. Short Film Festival Saguenay Canada 2016, Mecal 18º Festival Barcelona 2016, Glasgow Short Film Festival 2016, MakeDox Skopje 2016, Flatpack Film Festival Birmingham 2016, Boston Palestine Film Festival 2016, 14° Festival international Signes de Nuit Paris 2016

The DVD is available from us for CHF 20.-

Feature by This Lüscher, 90 Min., in coproduktion with SRF and RSI

Script: André Küttel, Cinematography: Remko Schnorr

Starring: Roeland Wiesnekker, Wolfram Berger, Rebecca Indermaur

Jack is afraid of remembering, his father is frightened to forget. Jack, who has it all but failed at life, dreams of a fresh beginning abroad. Instead, he unexpectedly has to take care of his hated father Paul, who he has not seen since childhood. Paul suffers from Alzheimer's and wants to make peace with his son while he still can. But Jack has very different plans for Paul. Two worlds collide, and a journey to Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, turns into an odyssey back to a painfully suppressed past.

Festivals & Awards: 

• Montreal World Filmfestival 2015, int. competition, Award: Best Actor (Wolfram Berger)
• Int. Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg 2015, int. competition
• Max Ophüls Award Saarbrücken 2016

Now on DVD and VOD

World Sales: KSM

Feature by Karim Patwa

Starring: Max Hubacher, Sabine Timoteo, Scherwin Amini, Jessy Moravec, Susanne Marie Wrage, Adrian Furrer, Andrea Zogg, Marcus Signer, Miro Caltagirone

Robert wants to start a new life. His addiction to the rush of speeding had put him in prison. Now that he has served his sentence he is fiercely determined not to repeat his past mistakes. He returns to his parents' house and is able to start an apprenticeship.

Everything goes well until he meets Alice. An english teacher who is quite a few years older than him. Both feel drawn to each other by fate. In order to be close to her, Robert starts taking lessons with Alice. But the more intimate the relationship becomes, the more it throws Robert off track. Old feelings of guilt emerge, and his former friends also start to pressure him. Robert's past catches up with him and threatens to destroy everything.

Festivals & Awards:

• Filmfestival Max Ophüls Award, Film Award of the Prime Minister of the Saarland 2015
• Filmfestival Max Ophüls Award, Fritz Raff Script Award 2015
• Filmfestival Max Ophüls Award, Prize of the Ecumenical Jury
• Swiss Film Award, Best Actress (Sabine Timoteo)
• 25. Filmkunstfest Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 2015, NDR-Award best director

Now available on DVD and VOD

Film distribution by Vinca Film

Documentary by Marcel Gisler

113 Minuten, in coproduction with SRF SRG

Von einem der auszog, die Welt zu erobern und das Fürchten lernte.

The story of a man who set out to conquer the world and learned to fear.

You can get it if you really want. If this sentence applies to anyone, then most definitely to Florian Burkhardt who managed to talk everyone around him out of their own goals and into achieving his.

Electroboy tells the breathtaking true life story of a young man who leaves his claustrophobic Swiss surroundings for the wide world in search of fame and recognition. In a series of success stories he reinvents himself time and again, changing settings and careers like other people change their shirts.

Yet Florian’s life on the fast track turns into an escape from his own biography, which finally catches up with him at full force.

Preise

• Film Festival Locarno 2014: Semaine de la Critique
• Zurich Film Award 2014: Best Film
• Swiss Film Award 2015: Best Documentary
• Swiss Film Award 2015: Best editing
• Nomination Swiss Film Award 2015: Best Film Music
• DOK.fest München 2015: Audience Award
• European Film Awards 2015: Shortlist Best Documentary
  
  Now on DVD and VOD
  

World Sales: Picture Tree International

TV-Feature by Christoph Schaub, 90 Min., in coproduction with SRF, Script: Bettina Schmid

Starring: Saladin Dellers, Max Gertsch, Delia Mayer, Lucy Wirth

Stöffi, mentally disabled, lives with his mother and has endeared himself to the townspeople in Einsiedeln. When his mother dies unexpectedly, there is talk of putting Stöffi in an institution. In order to prevent this, however, his mother revealed a well-kept secret while on her deathbed. Zeno – an old flame of her youth and restaurant owner – is Stöffi’s father. He should look after him now. Thus begins a long journey for Stöffi and Zeno, because the two have much to learn before they can actually be a father or a son. A subtle, warm-hearted drama.

Available on DVD

Feature by Ivana Lalovic, 88 Min., in coproduction with SRF, Teleclub, Script: Stefanie Veith und Ivana Lalovic

Starring: Runa Greiner, Lea Bloch, Charlie Gustafsson, Bettina Stucky, Siir Eloglu, Roeland Wiesnekker, Adnan Maral

The two 15-year-old girls Zoe and Asal are best friends. They are spending their last summer holidays together before the earnestness of life begins. But this summer their friendship is put to the test by the arrival of the 18-year-old Swede Kai.

Preise:

• Max Ophüls Preis 2014: Award Best Script
• Zlin int. Film Festival 2014 - ECFA Award, Best European Film
• Saas Fee int. Film Festival 2014 - Audience Award
• Solothurner Filmtage 2014 - Competition Prix du Public
• Festivals: Rome IFF, Sarajevo IFF, BUFF Malmö, Festroia uvm.

Available on iTunes and Google Play

Distribution Switzerland: Vinca Film

TV-Feature by Tom Gerber, 89 Min., in Coproduction with SRF, Script: Kirsten Peters
Starring: Lea Hadorn, Beat Marti, Aaron Hitz, Carol Schuler, Heidi Maria Glösssner, Nino de Perrot
 
Marie Meier, a single mother running a dairy farm, has repeatedly failed to settle her debts at the bank. One day Philip Sturzenegger, manager of the SWC Bank, appears at her front door, threatening to foreclose the farm. But before he can act on his threat, he crashes into a tree with his sports car and suffers from severe amnesia. Beset by panic, cluelessness and reckless impulse, Marie explains to the bewildered Sturzenegger that he lives there as the farmer. And from now on, Philip is not only the farmer; first and foremost, he is also her husband.

Available on iTunes and DVD

5 short documentaries, directed by: Dirbdil Assefa Akriso, Adrian Francis, Ognjen Isailovic, Aidos Toktobayev, Gabriela Yepes, ca. 50 min., in coproduction with int. Short Film Festival Winterthur, ZHDK

5 directors

5 continents

5 weeks

5 respected emerging talents from 5 continents were invited to visit to Winterthur for 5 weeks. In this period, they directed a short documentary about one aspect of the city. The result is a documentary with 5 episodes and 5 points of view of the city, its inhabitants and its idiosyncrasies.

DVD available from us for CHF 20.-

Shortfilm by Carmen Stadler, 25 Min., in coproduction with SRF, Script: Carmen Stadler, Stephan Teuwissen

Starring: Ingo Ospelt, Matthias Schoch

An officer and a young soldier are keeping watch in a bunker. The night is long and the mood rather sober. But when alcohol enters the picture, the constraints of their involuntary togetherness gradually slacken. With each swig, the two men become more talkative and begin exchanging humorous tales and jokes. Although confiding in one another in this relaxed atmosphere is amusing, one of them reveals more information than the other one wants to know. Such closeness is confusing and leads to sudden harassment.

Availabe on DVD à CHF 20.-

Shortfilm directed by Felix von Muralt, 21, Min., in coproduction with KGP Wien, FTK Zürich, Teleclub AG, Script: Felix von Muralt

Starring: Carlos Leal, Melanie Winiger

Luc comes across a flat on fire on his way to the kiosk. He’s got a lighter in his pocket. The ensuing two-day series of «investigations» exceed everything that has ever been heard about zealous police officers.

Preise:

• Swiss Film Award 2010 and Montreal World Film Festival 09, Int. Competition: best Actress (Marie Leuenberger)
• Zurich Film Award, 2009, Prix Walo 2010: Best Film 2009
• Swiss TV Award 2009: Best Film
• Prix Walo 2010: Best Film
• Prix Swissperform: best Actress, Cinéma Tous Ecrans, Genf 09
• Goldener Löwe (Audience Award) at Filmfest Hachenburg (D)
• Audience Award Filmfestspiele Biberach (D), Okt 2009

Feature by Karola Hattop, 96 Min, in coproduction with Provobis, rbb, MDR, BR, Teleclub

Starring: Jonas Hämmerle, Magali Greif, Michael Roll, Oliver Korittke, Arndt Schwering-Sohnrey

What happens when all of a sudden all people fall asleep and you are the only one who stays awake? This is what ten-year-old Nicki unvoluntarily experiences when the last composition called Morphus by the great composer Ludwig van Beethoven accidentally ends up in his schoolbag. The melody holds magic powers because everybody who listens to it falls asleep...

Feature by Micha Lewinsky, Script: Micha Lewinsky, Cinematography: Pierre Mennel, Music: Sophie Hunger und Marcel Vaid, 87 Min., in coproduction with Teleclub AG

Starring: Philippe Graber, Johanna Bantzer und Emilie Welti aka. Sophie Hunger

In reality Emil and Larissa would have never been a couple – she is an idolized singer, he is a shy outsider. Ironically, Emil is just getting to know Larissa when she dies unexpectedly. He pretends to have been her boyfriend and finally gets the recognition he has always yearned for, with the added bonus of a surrogate family in the form of Larissa’s. Things would be just great if Emil didn’t fall in love - with Larissa’s sister Nora. The more he gets to know her, the harder it becomes for him to pretend…

Awards:

• Swiss Film Award 2008: Best Film, Best upcoming talent: Philippe Graber
• Zurich Film Award, 2008
• MK AWARD for Best First Feature, San Francisco Berlin & Beyond, Jan. 2009
• BEST FIRST FEATURE FILM, Cinequest, San Jose USA 09
• BEST FIRST FEATURE FILM, Festroia FF, Setubal, 09

TV-Feature by Güzin Kar, 88 Min., in coproduction with SRF, Script: Güzin Kar

Starring: Mike Müller, Selina Weber, Nana Krüger, Hilmi Sözer, Meral Perin

When Lisa, 16, wins a scholarship for an elite boarding school her parents are bursting with pride. She is due to start there in a few weeks, but bad news shatters Lisa’s and her parent’s plans: Lisa is pregnant by her young boyfriend, a foreigner. Lisa’s parents are simple people and have worked hard for their children’s education. They urge Lisa to get an abortion, but she remains steadfast, challenging all concerned to question their own lives’ paths and dreams.

DVD available for CHF 20.-

TV-Feature by Jann Preuss, 90 Min., in coproduction with SRF, Script: Jann Preuss, Micha Lewinsky

Starring: Laila Nielsen, Beat Marti, Martin Rapold, Daniel Rohr

Copyrighter Flo Ruggli works too hard, way too hard. Flo finds it impossible to say no to his boss who swamps him with commissions. What he doesn’t realise is that he is being taken advantage of, sacrificing his private life for a career that is not taking off anywhere…

Feature by Christoph Schaub, Script: Micha Lewinsky, Cinematography: Peter Indergand, Music: Balz Bachmann, Peter Bräker, 90 Min. in coproduction with SRF

Starring: Sara Capretti, Mathias Gnädinger, Walo Lüönd, Hanspeter Müller, Daniel Rohr, Stephen Sikder, Stephanie Glaser

Franz Engi returns to the village where he grew up after having lived abroad for over 30 years, only to realise that things are entirely different. The school is about to be closed because now there are only a few families with children living in the village. Franz is shocked. The closing of the school is particularly significant for him: the school's teacher, Eva, is his daughter, but he does not dare to tell her. In order to help Eva and get to know her better, Franz decides to enrol as a pupil at the school. Although he does indeed become friends with Eva, a lot has to happen before he can tell her who he really is…

Awards:

• Audience Award Festival Cinéma Tout Ecran Genf 2004
• Prix Walo 2004
• Nomination Swiss Film Award 2004: Best Film 2004
• Pyongyang International Film Festival, Best Actresss 2006

Feature by Jean-François Amiguet, 78 Min., in coproduction with Native, Zagora Films SA, Script: Anne Gonthier, Jean-François Amiguet

Starring: Bernard Verley, François Morel, Maurice Aufair

At the grand old age of 70, Adrien is about to have a life-transforming experience. Until now, he has never moved from his “patch” on the Cotter mountain, where he lives with his cows. From this high vantage point, he likes to survey the valley below, laughing at the bustle of human life, preferring the company of the stars above. Tough, stubborn and straightforward, Adrien is a man of few words. Both feared and respected, they call him “God” in the valley, and he almost believes it himself. It takes a journey all the way to distant China to reconnect Adrien with his inner self, and to make him yearn for humanity which, although poor at times, is so full of life.

Shortfilm by Güzin Kar, 29 Min., Script: Güzin Kar

Starring: Stefan Gubser, Selina Weber, Yangzom Brauen

Paul, an affectionate and attentive father, takes care of his daughter Lila, nearly an adolescent. Paul is in a wheelchair; up until now their relationship has been a happy one. However, in order to be accepted by her new friends, Lila begins to change: she distances herself from Paul, uses subterfuge, lies to him. A story of a parental relationship when faced with the turbulence of adolescence, recounted in a fair and simple manner.

TV-Feature by Marc Andreas Bochert , 88 Min., in coproduction with Boje/Buck Filmproduktion, Script: Micha Lewinsky

Starring: Fabian Busch, Eva Mende, Eva Hassmann, Josef Hader uvm.

A city, a house and its inhabitants on a very special night. High expectations meet deep fears. Terrible misunderstandings and sad truths force people to grow closer, while the icy rain falls outside – a tragicomedy.

TV-Feature by Lutz Konermann, 90 Min., in coproduction with SFR DRS, Teleproduktions-Fonds GmbH, Script: Güzin Kar

Starring: Mathias Gnädinger, Martine Maximin, Andrea Guyer, Carol Schuler

That a member of an inconspicuous family somewhere in the province should fall head over heels in love is not in itself remarkable. But when the family consists of a father single-handedly bringing up two daughters who falls in love with a black woman, and into the bargain the two daughters are also beginning to experiment with the opposite sex, suddenly everything in the life of the trio turn upside down… and is that not a subject that might well interest Brad Pitt in far-off Hollywood?

TV-Feature by Claude Goretta, 87 Min., in coproduction with Jem Productions, France 3, Script: Jean-Michel Gaillard

Starring: Claude Rich, Dominique Labourier

During the electoral campaign in 1936 Léon Blum is victim of an attack by antisemite extremists, in which he nearly dies. He wants to quit politics, but his wife Thérèse convinces him otherwise.

TV-Feature by André Chandelle, 90 Min., in coproduction with France 2, France 3, King Movies, S.F.P., TSR, RTBF, Saga Film, Script: Daniel Tonachella, Jean-Pierre Sinapi

Starring:Patrick Raynal

End of the 19^th century: Like every winter, the chimney sweep "Pied Piper" makes his rounds to find new apprentices to go with him from village to village. About a dozen children, driven by hunger and misery, follow him.

Feature by Iva Svarcova, 90 Min., in coproduction with Svarcova-Film, ZDF, Script: Iva Svarcova

Starring: Vlastimil Brodsky, Ewa Gawryluk, Ady Hajdu

The odyssey of a Czech family through the “golden West“.

TV-Feature by Claude Goretta, 80 Min., in coproduction with JEM Productions, France 3, France 2, Script: Jean-Michel Gaillard

Starring: Jacques Villeret, Catherine Frot

1934, Georges Mandel becomes minister of the post office in France. This is the moment for him to act. To act especially against the growing power of the nazis in Germany. He will pay with his life for his convictions.

Feature by Niki List, 108 Min., in coproduction with Cult-Film, Wien, Script: Niki List, Walter Kordesch

Starring: Christian Schmidt, Elke Winkens, Christian Pogats, I Stangl

This is a story about love, passion and power, in an idyllically anarchic moutain setting. A story about Max Adler, the upright protector of his native village who becomes a hero out of love.

Feature by Andreas Gruber, 117 Min., in coproduction with WEGA-FILM, Script: Andreas Gruber, Agnes Pluch

Starring: Sandrine Bonnaire, Rüdiger Vogler

Simon Granderath has been found dead in his appartment. His only daughter, Monika Besse, who lives in Luxembourg, arrives to arrange the funeral and settle his estate. She wishes to get back to Luxembourg and to her normal life as quickly as possible. However, she quickly realizes that in fact, she hardly knew her father, and tries to trace the various stages and encounters that made up his life.

Feature by Jean-Luc Wey, 107 Min., in coproduction with WEGA-FILM, SF DRS, Script: Claude-Inga Barbey

Starring: Claude-Inga Barbey, Maria Blanco, Kàroly Eperjes

January 1957, a small town in french-speaking Switzerland. Clara and Thérèse two sisters with very different natures live together. Their father having been committed, they run the family business: the manufacture of high-precision lenses for weapons, and for research applications. One day the floor of the music room collapses, a victim of the terrible capricorn beetle. Soon after, at a meeting organised in the parish hall to welcome refugees from the Hungarian rising, the pastor’s wife suggests asking Kàroly, a regular Mr. Fixit, to repair the floor. The Hungarian’s presence is destined to bring about a number of subtle changes in the daily routine of the two women…

Documentary by Richard Dindo, 90 Min., in coproduction with Lea Produktion, Les Films d'ici, La Sept Arte, TSR, Script: Richard Dindo

The film accompanies poet Breyten Breytenbach on a trip back to his native country, South Africa. Breytenbach, who was once jailed for his anti-apartheid activities and has lived in exile in France for years, is torn between conflicting feelings about his country.

Documentary by Richard Dindo, 112 Min., in coproduction with Ciné Manufacture SA, Script: Richard Dindo

A documentary portrayal of the events of 1966-67 based on Che Guevara's Bolivian diary, follows Che's tracks from the first moment of his arrival in La Paz right through to the jungle of the Nacahuazu river. It shows the landscapes of the Guerillas and the fights with the Bolivian army, and it lets the simple people of the country talk, passive eye-witnesses who were supposed to have joined the Guerillas but who did not in the end participate. Above all, it describes the last 20 days of Che and his men, their encirclement in the Yuro valley by the Bolivian army, and Che's murder in the village school of Higuera.

Feature by Christian Zerbib, 97 Min., in coproduction with VéO2MAX Film Productions Paris, Prima Vista Brüssel, Script: Christian Zerbib

Starring: Anne Richard, Philippe Volter, Siemen Rühaak

Unconcerned with honour and glory, Catherine, an athlete, runs for her pleasure. One day, her passion and an "unfair" injury take her to the point of accepting a drug which will kill the pain and allow her to continue running. The word "doping" is forgotten in the wake of success...

Documentary by Erich Schmid, 80 Min., Script: Erich Schmid

In the war the truth dies first. The Journalist Peter Surava tried to report the atrocities of the nazis in the "Nation" newspaper, but the swiss censorship dit not let him write and persued him.

TV-Feature by Jean-Louis Lorenzi, 118 Min., in coproduction with King Movies, Cameras Continentales, Productions 7, SFP, NFI Prodcuctions, SF DRS, Script: Beatrice Rubinstein

Starring: Patrick Raynal, Ottavia Piccolo, Jean Lescot, Philippe Lefebvre

During the Nazi regime in France in World War II, Pastor Fontaine and the town of Chambon undertake a mission to protect and shelter the children of many of the Jews sent to concentration camps.

Shortfilm by Michael Huber, 25 Min., in coproduction with SF DRS, Script: Michael Huber

Starring: Hanspeter Müller-Drossaart

Inspired by fantastic legends and bizarre, miraculous tales from the chronicles of medieval pilgrims, "Gottzfart" tells the story of the deaf-and-dumb beggar pilgrim Placidius Hotspur who set out on a pilgrimage to Einsiedeln in 1444. The film could be described as a medieval road movie about the wanderlust of our ancestors.

Feature by Michael Haneke, Script: Michael Haneke, Cinematography: Christian Berger, 105 Min., in coproduction with WEGA-FILM Wien

Starring: Arno Frisch, Angela Winkler, Ulrich Mühe, Ingrid Stassner

A 14-year-old video enthusiast is so caught up in film fantasy that he can no longer relate to the real world, to such an extent that he commits murder and records an on-camera confession for his parents.

Preise/Festivals:

• Quinzaine des Réalisateurs, Cannes 1992
• Europ. Filmpreis FELIX – Preis der Kritik 1993
• Fipresci Award Thessaloniki 1992
• Wiener Filmpreis 1992

Feature by Douglas Wolfsperger, 83 Min., in coproduction with Calypso Film, Script: Douglas Wolfsperger

Starring: Barbara Auer, Christiane Hörbiger, Mathias Gnädigner, Axel Milberg

A group fo believers sets out from Lake Constance on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Father Strobel, a young Catholic priest, and a resolute nun called Sister Ursula are among the passengers on the coach. The mixed company is joined on the way by a pregnant woman called Theresa whose conception is sourrounded by mystery...

Feature by Bernard Lang, 80 Min., in coproduction with George Reinhart, SF DRS, Script: Thomas Hürlimann

Starring: Theatergruppe Chärnehus

The news that Napoleon’s Grande Armée has conquered a nearby city, arrives in Ybrig Valley. The people of Ybrig retreat into the mountains and leave their women behind the in the village alone. To their surprise, no army arrives, but a single charming soldier.

Feature by Markus Imhoof, 103 Min., in coproduction with Markus Imhoof, SRG, ZDF, ORF, Ulrich Bär, Werner Merzbacher, Script: Thomas Hürlimann, Markus Imhoof, Cinematography: Lukas Strebel, Music: Nicola Piovani

Starring: Peter Simonischek, Susanne Lothar, Mathias Gnädinger

Since 1886, there has been a weather-station master at the summit of the mountain. He telegraphs his daily measurements into the valley from where they are transmitted to Rome, Paris, Berlin and Vienna. During the long winter he is cut off the rest of the world. In the autumn of 1921, after a tragic accident, the lonely station shall be occupied by a married couple for the first time. The unemployed Josef Manser marries over night the pregnant Lena and therefore gets the job. Gregor Kreuzpointer, a former imperial and royal officer, who has experienced the war front in the Dolomite Mountains, feels he has been cheated by Manser. He decides to prove to the world that the post of stationmaster should by rights have been given to him by being the first to ascend the mountain in winter. He conquers the mountain. Once up there, in the closeness of the ice covered station close to the sky, a life and death struggle begins – Because: All three are stuck at the summit and there is only enough food for two of them.

Awards:

• Filmfestspiele Berlin, Wettbewerb
• 1. Preis Filmfestival Trento
• Qualtitätsprämie EDI
  

TV-Series by Kurt Widmer, Bernard Lang, 6x10 Min., in coproduction with Sapart AG, SF DRS, Script: Bernard Lang, Fritz Fruet

Six adventure stories about two boys (wooden marionettes in natural surroundings) for the entertainment and pleasure of a young audience.

Feature by Nicolas Gessner, 95 Min., in coproduction with Condor Productions, Allianz-Film-Produktion GmbH, Intermonda AG, WDR, Script: Laird Koenig, Nicolas Gessner

Starring: Julian Sands, Stacey Dash, Ned Beatty, Rod Steiger, Johnny Cash

Feature by Fredi M. Murer, Script: Fredi M. Murer, Cinematography: Pio Corradi, Music: Mario Beretta, 113 Min., in coproduction with A. Richterich, W. Schoch, SF DRS, WDR

Starring: Thomas Nock, Johanna Lier, Dorothea Moritz, Rolf Illig

deaf-born “Bub” and his sister “Belli” live with their parents on a remote farm in the mountains. The father intentionally resists the modern age: “I'd rather beat him to death than put him in a home”. After school Belli is not only a servant in her own home but also her younger brother's teacher. From early childhood, they have been an inseparable pair. They love one another. “Holy Mother of God, what sort of children have I?” wails the resigned mother, when the two children do things that are not “normal”. This is just the beginning of the story…

Awards:

• Golden Leopard IFF Locarno 1985
• Bronze Hugo Award Chicago Int. Filmfestival 1986
• First Price Figuera da Foz 1986
• Zurich Film Award

Feature by Gaudenz Meili, 100 Min., in coproduction with SF DRS, Script: Gaudenz Meili based on the novel by Otto. F. Walter

Starring: Wolf Kaiser, Hanna Schygulla, Uli Krohm