Introduction to the Geneva Film Festival
The Geneva Film Festival (GIFF) is set to take place from October 31st to November 9th, featuring a diverse range of films, series, and immersive experiences. The festival will open with Stephane Demoustier’s architectural drama, "The Great Arch", and conclude with Kent Jones’ second feature film, "Later fame". This year’s festival will showcase 85 works, including 36 films, 25 series, and 24 immersive experiences, across four competition sections.
Competition Sections and Featured Guests
The competition sections include international feature film, international series, international immersive competition, and "The Future Makes Sense" competition, which features projects from all three formats. The festival will also host discussions with renowned guests, including US television writer Alan Ball, known for his work on "American Beauty" and "Six Feet Under", and veteran British filmmaker Stephen Frears, who has directed films like "The Grifters" and "The Queen". Ball’s films "American Beauty" and "Uncle Frank" will be screened during the festival, along with several of Frears’ films, including "Dangerous Liaisons" and "My Beautiful Laundrette".
Tributes and Keynote Speeches
Nathalie Nath, a leading French-speaking Swiss media and cultural figure, will deliver a keynote speech. The festival will also feature a regional focus on the Netherlands and a tribute to the work of French-Canadian filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée. These events will provide a unique opportunity for audiences to engage with the work of these talented individuals and explore the rich cultural heritage of the region.
The Geneva Digital Market
The Geneva Digital Market (GDM) will take place from November 3rd to 6th at the Théâtre Pitoëff, the main venue of the GIFF. This year’s GDM will focus on audiovisual innovation, offering a mix of masterclasses, discussions, and networking opportunities. One of the expected events will explore the potential for XR creations to transition from virtual reality headsets to traditional screens, becoming impactful films or series. Speakers will include Eloise Singer, a multi-award-winning producer, writer, and director, and Liz Rosenthal, curator of Venice Immersive and Venice Immersive Market.
Creative Courage and Innovation
The GDM will also feature events that look at 20 years of YouTube evolution and its impact on new platforms and content creation, as well as key topics related to AI, intellectual property, and fiction in the age of user-generated content. According to Anais Emery, artistic director of GIFF, "You can feel that the worlds of XR, VR, and film and television are moving ever closer together. There are opportunities for creatives." The GDM aims to provide a space that celebrates the plurality of voices, encourages creative courage, and opens unexpected paths to discovery.
Mission and Values
The Geneva Film Festival and the Geneva Digital Market are committed to providing a platform that showcases the best of audiovisual innovation and creativity. As Emery notes, "All of our decisions for this year’s GIFF and GDM carry our DNA. We want to provide a space that celebrates the plurality of voices, encourages creative courage, encourages encounters, and opens unexpected paths to discovery." This mission is at the heart of the festival and market, and is reflected in the diverse range of events, discussions, and screenings that will take place over the course of the festival.
