Solothurn Film Festival
Encyclopedia
The Solothurn Film Festival is the most important festival for Swiss film productions. Every year since 1966 it has presented a representative selection of current Swiss feature, documentary and short films in the “Swiss Forum” programme. In a series of public talks and panel discussions, members of the film industry meet to take a closer look at the screened films and the Swiss film culture. Attracting more than 45,000 visitors every year, the festival ranks among the most renowned cultural events in Switzerland.
The 47th edition of the festival will take place from January 19th - 26th, 2012.
Although the festival has already existed for nearly half a century, there have only been three directors throughout its history. Founder Stephan Portmann was the festival's first director until he was replaced by Ivo Kummer who has held this position from 1989 to july 2011. After the latter's vocation to the Federal Office for Culture, Seraina Rohrer has been appointed to the directors post.
The SFT has established itself as an important meeting place on the Swiss festival scene and attracts countless guests from neighbouring countries. From 1998 to 2008, Solothurn was also the setting for the awarding of the Swiss Film Prize
QUARTZ. In 2009 the award ceremony was held in the KKL Luzern
, with the nominees for the Swiss Film Prize selected and announced at the Solothurn Film Festival (cf. Night of the Nominations).
and lengths from all four linguistic regions of Switzerland. The Swiss Forum thus comprises documentary films, fiction films, short films, film schools, coproductions
, and Sound & Stories (music clips
). Also screened in the program are independent works
which were produced in conjunction with “Pacte de l’audiovisuel”. Also featured in the program are a number of television documentary films, commissioned and completely financed by Swiss television (SRG SSR idée Suisse) in German, French, Italian and Rhaeto-Romanic.
by the ‘90s. This festival programme is divided into in a number of sections:
Since 2009 the award ceremony has no longer been held directly in Solothurn, but instead about two months later in the KKL Luzern.
→ Article: Swiss Film Prize
, SWISS FILMS, Zurich University of the Arts
(ZHdK), Foundation for professional training in cinema and audiovisual media FOCAL Lausanne, Film Music Forum, etc.) and various film associations. These events address current topics concerning the Swiss film culture and are geared directly to filmmakers and anyone who takes an active interest in film.
One of the festival's signature features is the “Film Club”. International film critics are invited to discuss current Swiss film productions. In workshops, organised by the ZHdK for instance in collaboration with the “Film Music Forum”, film students and film aficionados can obtain a closer look at the "art" of filmmaking.
60,000.- and was awarded for the first time in 2009. It is awarded to an outstanding Swiss film produced for the cinema with a distinctive humanistic
message in an impressive cinematic form. Every year the selection committee of the SFT nominates five to eight films. The jury, newly comprised every year, decides on the winner of the award.
In 2010 Prix Pathé will include another category. The new award will be presented to the best film critique of a current Swiss film production published in an electronic medium. Apart from publications in the print media, film journalists can also submit contributions to radio, television or an online medium.
The SUISA Foundation for Music Audience Prize, endowed with CHF 5,000.- , goes to the director of the favourite music clip.
honours continual achievements of a Swiss film professional in the technical area. The prized is endowed with CHF 10,000.-. The decision is based on a proposal submitted by the selection committee of the SFT.
More than 650 members belong to the “Schweizerische Gesellschaft Solothurner Filmtage”.
The 47th edition of the festival will take place from January 19th - 26th, 2012.
History
The Solothurn Film Festival ranks among the oldest film festivals in Switzerland. Due to its focus on Swiss film productions, it is the most important festival for Swiss filmmaking. In 1966 the Solothurn Film Guild organised a meeting called “Swiss film today”. The aim of it was to create new ideas and inspiration for young, independent Swiss filmmakers. Thereof evolved the “Schweizerische Gesellschaft Solothurner Filmtage” (SGSF), the association responsible for organising the festival.Although the festival has already existed for nearly half a century, there have only been three directors throughout its history. Founder Stephan Portmann was the festival's first director until he was replaced by Ivo Kummer who has held this position from 1989 to july 2011. After the latter's vocation to the Federal Office for Culture, Seraina Rohrer has been appointed to the directors post.
The SFT has established itself as an important meeting place on the Swiss festival scene and attracts countless guests from neighbouring countries. From 1998 to 2008, Solothurn was also the setting for the awarding of the Swiss Film Prize
Swiss Film Prize
The Swiss Film Prize is the national film award of Switzerland, first given out in 1998.* 1998 to 2008 : the Prize was given in during the Solothurn Film Festival....
QUARTZ. In 2009 the award ceremony was held in the KKL Luzern
Lucerne
Lucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
, with the nominees for the Swiss Film Prize selected and announced at the Solothurn Film Festival (cf. Night of the Nominations).
Swiss Forum
The “Swiss Forum” program showcases the diversity of Swiss filmmaking and constitutes the main focus of the Solothurn Film Festival. Screened at the festival are film productions of all genresGenre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
and lengths from all four linguistic regions of Switzerland. The Swiss Forum thus comprises documentary films, fiction films, short films, film schools, coproductions
International co-production
An international co-production is a production where two or more different production companies are working together, for example in a film production...
, and Sound & Stories (music clips
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
). Also screened in the program are independent works
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
which were produced in conjunction with “Pacte de l’audiovisuel”. Also featured in the program are a number of television documentary films, commissioned and completely financed by Swiss television (SRG SSR idée Suisse) in German, French, Italian and Rhaeto-Romanic.
Invitation
The “Invitation” program highlights cultural exchange and collaboration with the neighbouring regions in Europe. What began initially began in the 1960s with an invitation to a foreign film director evolved into hosting guest countries in SolothurnSolothurn
The city of Solothurn is the capital of the Canton of Solothurn in Switzerland. The city also comprises the only municipality of the district of the same name.-Pre-roman settlement:...
by the ‘90s. This festival programme is divided into in a number of sections:
- With “Invitation – Passages” the Solothurn Film Festival extends perspectives beyond the Swiss border and showcases a panorama of works from the neighbouring regions. In 2009, for instance, ten full-length feature and documentary films were screened, works that had not yet been released cinemas in Switzerland.
- The “Invitation – Films for Children and Youth” is designed especially for the younger audience. With this program, the festival contributes to generating enthusiasm for the culturally valuable medium of film among future cinemagoers. Three films are offered to the public school in the Solothurn regionCanton of SolothurnSolothurn is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the northwest of Switzerland. The capital is Solothurn.-History:The territory of the canton comprises land acquired by the capital...
, one each for classes in the primary, middle and secondary grades.
- With the “Invitation – Sortie du labo” series the Swiss Film Archive and Memoriav enables a rare glimpse of Switzerland’s preserved cinematic treasures. Restored feature and short films are also screened at the SFT, ensuring that Switzerland’s cinematic heritage is (re)discovered every year.
Rencontre
The special “Rencontre” program honours an important and major work by a Swiss filmmaker, while also attaching a great deal of importance to personal encounters with him or her at the festival. The program thus offers the rare opportunity of gaining an overview and in-depth insight into the ongoing work of a famous Swiss cineaste.Night of the Nominations
The nominees for the Swiss Film Prize QUARTZ are officially announced on the Night of the Nominations. Members of the Swiss Film Academy, founded in 2009 and presided over by film director Fredi M. Murer, can view the submitted films during the SFT in the Academy Lounge or in the festival cinemas and submit the names of their nominees via secret ballot. The Night of the Nominations is a festive occasion at which the nominees (in nine categories) are announced.Since 2009 the award ceremony has no longer been held directly in Solothurn, but instead about two months later in the KKL Luzern.
→ Article: Swiss Film Prize
Swiss Film Prize
The Swiss Film Prize is the national film award of Switzerland, first given out in 1998.* 1998 to 2008 : the Prize was given in during the Solothurn Film Festival....
Supporting program
Numerous information events and theme-specific panel discussions addressing current issues concerning the Swiss film culture and film business are held during the festival in collaboration with Swiss film institutions (Film Studies Department at the University of ZurichUniversity of Zurich
The University of Zurich , located in the city of Zurich, is the largest university in Switzerland, with over 25,000 students. It was founded in 1833 from the existing colleges of theology, law, medicine and a new faculty of philosophy....
, SWISS FILMS, Zurich University of the Arts
Zurich University of Applied Sciences
The Zurich University of Applied Sciences , located in the city of Winterthur, with facilities in Zurich and Wädenswil, is the second largest University in Switzerland after the University of Zurich.* University of Zurich: around 25000 Students...
(ZHdK), Foundation for professional training in cinema and audiovisual media FOCAL Lausanne, Film Music Forum, etc.) and various film associations. These events address current topics concerning the Swiss film culture and are geared directly to filmmakers and anyone who takes an active interest in film.
One of the festival's signature features is the “Film Club”. International film critics are invited to discuss current Swiss film productions. In workshops, organised by the ZHdK for instance in collaboration with the “Film Music Forum”, film students and film aficionados can obtain a closer look at the "art" of filmmaking.
Awards & Tributes
Numerous film awards are presented at the Solothurn Film Festival, honouring filmmakers and their works. But the awards also pay tribute to other professionals whose commitment to Swiss filmmaking has made an outstanding contribution to the success of domestic film. All award-winners are published on the festival website.Prix de Soleure – Jury Prize
The Prix de Soleure is the official Jury Prize of the Solothurn Film Festival. It is endowed with CHFSwiss franc
The franc is the currency and legal tender of Switzerland and Liechtenstein; it is also legal tender in the Italian exclave Campione d'Italia. Although not formally legal tender in the German exclave Büsingen , it is in wide daily use there...
60,000.- and was awarded for the first time in 2009. It is awarded to an outstanding Swiss film produced for the cinema with a distinctive humanistic
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
message in an impressive cinematic form. Every year the selection committee of the SFT nominates five to eight films. The jury, newly comprised every year, decides on the winner of the award.
PRIX DU PUBLIC – Audience Prize
The Audience Prize has been an integral part of the SFT program since 2007. Ten films shown in the evening programs are nominated and judged by the audience after the screenings. The Prix du Public is endowed with CHF 20,000.- and presented by the three principal festival sponsors and the SFT.Prix Pathé – Film Critic Prize
Prix Pathé is the award for film critiques. It is endowed with CHF 10,000.- and honours a film critic for outstanding contributions to current Swiss film productions. Benefactors of the prize are Pathé Schweiz AG and Pathé Films AG.In 2010 Prix Pathé will include another category. The new award will be presented to the best film critique of a current Swiss film production published in an electronic medium. Apart from publications in the print media, film journalists can also submit contributions to radio, television or an online medium.
Sound&Stories: Jury Prize and Audience Prize for music clips
In 2006 the festival introduced a program devoted exclusively to Swiss music clips. Since 2008 a three-member jury of film professionals has presented the SWISSPERFORM Jury Prize, endowed with CHF 5,000.-, to the director of an outstanding music clip.The SUISA Foundation for Music Audience Prize, endowed with CHF 5,000.- , goes to the director of the favourite music clip.
SUISSIMAGE/ SSA – New Generation Prize
SUISSIMAGE and SSA present the New Generation Prize for Best Short Film (CHF 15,000.-) and Best Animation Film (CHF 10,000.-). Both prizes are awarded by a jury of representatives from two culture commissions. In addition, an Audience Prize (CHF 5,000.-) is awarded for Best Animation Film.Wasseramt Communities' Film Prize
The Wasseramt Communities' Film Prize honours a Swiss professional whose achievements have made an outstanding contribution to the Swiss film culture. The prized is endowed with CHF 10,000.-. The decision is based on a proposal submitted by the selection committee of the SFT.Prize for Film Technique from the Community of Lohn-Ammannsegg
This prize from the Community of Lohn-AmmannseggLohn-Ammannsegg
Lohn-Ammannsegg is a municipality in the district of Wasseramt in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland. The municipality was formed in 1993 when Lohn and Ammannsegg united.-History:Lohn is first mentioned in 1260 as Lon...
honours continual achievements of a Swiss film professional in the technical area. The prized is endowed with CHF 10,000.-. The decision is based on a proposal submitted by the selection committee of the SFT.
Schweizerische Gesellschaft Solothurner Filmtage SGSF
The "Schweizerische Gesellschaft Solothurner Filmtage" (SGSF) is the sponsoring organisation of the Solothurn Film Festival. This non-profit, politically and denominationally neutral association based in Solothurn, is responsible for organising the Solothurn Film Festival, as well as increasing public awareness of Swiss film productions. The association was founded in 1967.More than 650 members belong to the “Schweizerische Gesellschaft Solothurner Filmtage”.