In Cannes, at the heart of the film industry

Meetings, networking, presentations and above all the entire Swiss film industry in the international spotlight. The Marché du Film in Cannes, where Switzerland was this year's country of honour from 14 to 22 May, provided an extraordinary opportunity.

Switzerland's key presence at the largest event dedicated to industry professionals was organised by the Swiss Films promotion agency in collaboration with the Federal Office of Culture and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR). The Swiss film industry seized this opportunity with good reason, represented in Cannes by more than 300 professionals and the political authorities with the attendance of Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider.

In the Swiss film 'ecosystem', the national Film Commissions play an increasingly important and widely recognised role, working to promote and attract productions to their local area, to put the latter on the map, and to strengthen the Swiss film industry in general by doing so. For the Ticino Film Commission, it was natural to join forces in Cannes with the Valais Film Commission - which also accompanied the world premiere of Claude Barras' film Sauvages at the Festival - and with Film Commission Zurich. In a vast and complex international market, presenting oneself as one multi-faceted country proved incisive.

Two panels in particular were the focus of the commitments of the Swiss Film Commissions, the first one, Film Commissions, Beyond Locations, organised together with EUFCN (European Film Commission Network) in which Ticino Film Commission Operations Manager Lisa Barzaghi took part, the second one, Dispelling Locations Stereotypes: Switzerland, in which TFC Director Niccolò Castelli participated, within the AFCI's Global Network Summit promoted by the Association of Film Commissioners International. These sessions were aimed at international co-productions and dedicated to the presentation of possible financing methods in our country, the role of the Film Commissions and the abundance of locations that Switzerland possesses, a wealth that extends beyond the well-known locations that have made our regions famous.  

The panels were an opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of those from elsewhere who choose to co-produce films in Switzerland.  In this sense, "The competence of Film Commissions is essential," said Italian producer Carlo Cresto Dina of Tempesta Film, a company that has chosen our region as the location for several of its films, most recently Gloria! by Margherita Vicario, co-produced with Swiss Tellfilm and in competition at the last Berlinale. "We have a long relationship with Ticino," stressed Cresto-Dina, "because of the expertise we find there."

In the busy programme of meetings held at Marché, the Film Commissions played their role as a trait d'union between stakeholders and producers with a view to the production of future films.  And Ticino producers also had the opportunity to highlight their projects. Olga Lamontanara (Alter Ego, La Chimera) from Cinédokké was among the guests at the Producers Network Breakfast and Michela Pini (Electric Child, Until Branches Bend) at the panel organised by the AFCI.  

That's not all: Ticino's presence at Marché also reached out through other channels. For example, from the books by Luca Brunoni (Silenzi), Carlo Silini (Il ladro di ragazze) and Olimpia de Girolamo (Tutto ciò ciò che siamo stati) published by Capelli Editore, which found a place in various sessions of "Shoot the Book!", the section dedicated to bringing together publishers and producers potentially interested in transposing literary works onto the screen. Or through the delicacies of the renowned Locarno pastry shop Marnin among the official food partners of the Swiss delegation in Cannes.  

These have been eventful days, busy days, productive days. Days that will hopefully leave the industry professionals who represented Switzerland with the sweet taste of having contributed to putting our country at the centre of attention of the world film industry on this occasion.