Switzerland becomes the guest country of the 15th Beijing Film Festival, and 6 excellent works shine at the "Swiss Film Week"

2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China. As an important highlight of the China-Switzerland Cultural and Tourism Year, Switzerland became the guest country of the 15th Beijing International Film Festival from April 18 to 26. It is also the first European country to become the guest country of the Beijing International Film Festival. At the guest country press conference held on April 19, the Swiss film delegation introduced its participation in this year's Beijing International Film Festival and its vision to deepen the film and television exchanges between China and Switzerland.

Swiss filmmakers appear at the opening ceremony of the 15th Beijing International Film Festival

Bian Jian, deputy secretary-general of the Beijing International Film Festival Organizing Committee, said in his speech: "2025 coincides with the 130th anniversary of the birth of world cinema, the 120th anniversary of the birth of Chinese film, and the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Beijing International Film Festival. We sincerely welcome the Swiss film industry delegation to actively participate in the various activities of the Beijing International Film Festival and conduct in-depth exchanges and cooperation negotiations with Chinese counterparts."

Bian Jian, Deputy Secretary-General of the Beijing International Film Festival Organizing Committee

Famous Swiss directors Vincent Perez and Cyril Schublin were invited to serve as judges for the Tiantan Award and the international judges for the Focus on the Future section of this year's film festival. The film The Trial of Frida, directed by Swiss director Maria Brendel, was shortlisted for the main competition section and competed for the Tiantan Award. Throughout the film festival, Swiss films will shine on the screen with their unique creativity, innovation and cultural heritage.

The Trial of Frida poster

Reta Guetg, deputy director of the Zurich Film Festival, said that although Switzerland is not a big country, it is an absolute "big country" in terms of film festivals. "Any type of film can find corresponding festivals and audiences in Switzerland. The Locarno Film Festival is the earliest and largest international film festival held in Switzerland. It is located in the Italian-speaking region and will usher in its 78th edition this year. In the French-speaking region of Neuchâtel, there is the Fantasy International Film Festival dedicated to fantasy films and related genres, and many new media works will also appear there. In the German-speaking region, the Fantoche International Animation Film Festival focuses on animated films and television works, and the Winterthur International Short Film Festival, also in the German-speaking region, is the largest short film festival in Switzerland."

"Swiss documentaries enjoy a high reputation around the world. The 'Real Image' International Documentary Film Festival in Nyon is definitely not to be missed. In addition, the Geneva International Film Festival is known for its boldness and will also showcase many new film and television technologies." Speaking of the Zurich Film Festival, Reta Gaetger said that the festival had just celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, "We will bring the latest films from all over the world here. Last year, the Chinese film A Brief Family History won an important award at the Zurich Film Festival, and director Lin Jianjie was present to communicate with Swiss audiences. The Swiss film The Trial of Frida, which was selected for the 'Temple of Heaven Award' in the main competition unit of the Beijing Film Festival this year, also held its world premiere at the Zurich Film Festival last year."

In Retta Gaetger's view, just as Switzerland is a multilingual country, diversity is one of the notable features of Swiss films and has played a key role in shaping national identity. Its core belief is that telling wonderful stories with care and creativity is more important than the scale of the film, and this is exactly the embodiment of the Swiss spirit. "Earlier this year, the Swiss film "The Trial of a Dog" was released in China. I hope that in the future more Swiss films can enter Chinese theaters and be seen by Chinese audiences. When the lights in the theater dim and the movie starts, our heartstrings are gently plucked, and this is the eternal magic of the movie."

At the guest of honor press conference, the Swiss film delegation made a collective appearance. Retta Gaetage (5th from right), brothers Ramon Zuchel and Sylvain Zichel (2nd and 1st from left), Sabine Gisig (4th from left)

The "Swiss Film Week" of this year's Beijing Film Festival will be grandly opened on April 20, with the opening film "Sparrows in the Chimney". Five other excellent Swiss films, including new films "Angry Landscape", "Beginning of Man" and "The Brave", as well as classic old films "Jonah Turns 25 in 2000" and "Salamander" will also be on the agenda.

Stills from "Sparrows in the Chimney"

"Chimney Sparrows" was co-produced by Swiss film directors Ramon Zürcher and Silvan Zürcher. The film is also the final chapter of the twin brothers' "Animal Trilogy" after the films "Strange Cat" and "The Girl and the Spider". At the press conference, the elder brother Ramon introduced that he was responsible for the screenwriting, directing and editing, while the younger brother Sylvan was the producer. "Chimney Sparrows premiered at the Locarno Film Festival last year, and we also brought it to the Pingyao International Film Festival and other festivals. The story of this movie takes place in a bright summer, but it is a dark family drama."

Sabine Gisiger, professor of documentary at the Zurich University of the Arts ZHDK, said in her speech that thanks to the support of top film schools such as the Zurich University of the Arts and the Lausanne University of Art and Design, ample public funding, and the global promotion of the country's film promotion agency SWISS FILMS, Swiss films have flourished at the intersection of artistic freedom and technological innovation. "Since 1998, this achievement has been recognized every year at the 'Swiss Film Awards'."

It is also reported that thanks to its magnificent natural scenery, Switzerland has also attracted many international film and television productions to come here for filming. From the 007 series "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" to "Star Wars 3", to the Chinese TV series "The Interpreter" and "Meeting Wang Lichuan", they have all left their footprints here. In recent years, Swiss films have become increasingly influential at Chinese film festivals, including being recognized repeatedly at previous Beijing Film Festivals. This year's cooperation with the Beijing Film Festival not only celebrates the achievements of Swiss films, but also highlights the deepening of cultural exchanges between China and Switzerland.

From April 18 to 26, Switzerland will present itself at famous universities such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama through a series of colorful activities - film screenings, lectures, workshops and special discussions. The Swiss film delegation, consisting of about 20 directors, producers, actors, scholars and journalists, will have in-depth exchanges with Chinese audiences, university teachers and students and industry insiders on topics such as Swiss documentary production, international co-production, short film creation and contemporary film education.

Appendix: Schedule of the Beijing Film Festival’s “Swiss Film Week”