Filmfest 2024 © Vincent Guignet
As German is the most spoken language in Switzerland and all children attending schools in the Swiss Education System are taught it, it makes perfect sense for German-speaking films to have their own festival. FILMFEST returns to the Casino de Montbenon in Lausanne for its 7th edition from 28-31 January 2025. Comprising a school program in the canton of Vaud and a program for the public, this year's festival expands its line-up to include seven films, six of which will be premièred in Romandie, in the presence of distinguished guests, filmmakers, and producers.
Initially aimed at age 15-19 students, this year FILMFEST is expanding its scope to include films to include the 12-15 age group as well. More than 4,000 students are expected from Yverdon-les-Bains to Vevey, via Lausanne, to discover the German language in a new light.
Of course, adults and the general public are more than welcome and a special program (see bottom of article) has been established. Check out our competition to win a ticket!
We caught up with Eric Flury, the president of FILMFEST, the German Film Festival held in Lausanne.
What was the inspiration behind FILMFEST?
The FILMFEST Lausanne association was born in 2018 from a simple observation: the German language, although taught from elementary school onwards, remains little spoken in French-speaking Switzerland and suffers from a negative image, making it even harder to learn. The aim of organizing a festival of German-language films is therefore to enable students in Romandie to discover German-speaking culture through the cinema, and in so doing, to inspire them to learn the language in greater depth.
From the start, we also wanted to organize public evening screenings to enable French-speaking audiences to discover the richness of current German-language cinema, and to exchange views with the directors and actors of the various films.
I'm a product of the French-speaking public school system, and I too was confronted with the difficulty of learning German at school. For me, the turning point came when I saw the film "der Himmel über Berlin" (Wim Wenders, 1987). The film made me realize for the first time that German is a beautiful language, and it made me want to go there and learn more. I told myself that if it worked for me, it could work for others...
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
Setting up this kind of event on a strictly voluntary basis is a major challenge, as each member of the organizing committee devotes a considerable amount of time to it.
What are your plans for the future?
Our aim is to continue with our school program for which we have about 4000 participants this year, while at the same time strongly developing the public festival. It's a real challenge, given the abundance of cultural offerings in our region, but we're working very hard on it.
Enter our competition to win a double ticket!
FILMFEST have kindly offered 5 of our readers the chance to win a ticket for any session (value Fr. 15.-/ticket).
To enter the competition, just fill in this form and answer this multiple choice question: In what year did The FILMFEST Lausanne association start?
Only one entry per person and per email is allowed. The competition closes at midnight on Tuesday, 28 January 2025. The names of all those submitting correct answers will be placed into the digital hat and the winner’s name drawn at random by Wednesday, 29 January 2025. No cash equivalent of prizes is permitted. The winner will be notified by email.
FILMFEST
28-31 January 2025
www.filmfest-lausanne.ch
Welcome to the German-Speaking Film Festival of French-speaking Switzerland, showcasing German-language films that are hot off the press. Explore works selected for their contemporary relevance and cultural impact.
P R O G R A M
TUESDAY, 28 JANUARY 2025
Opening film
- Jakobs Ross
by Katalin Gödrös
Tuesday, 28 January 2025
Reception from 20h - Screening 20h30
Cinéma Capitole - Cinémathèque suisse
V.O. with French subtitles
Premiere in French-speaking Switzerland
In the presence of director Katalin Gödrös
WEDNESDAY, 29 JANUARY 2025
- Mit einem Tiger schlafen
by Anja Salomonowitz
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 - 18h
Screening at Cinématographe
V.O. with French subtitles
Presented by Deborah Strebel, cultural mediator and teacher of French and art history. - Alle die du bist
by Michael Fetter Nathansky
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 - 21h
Screening at Cinématographe
V.O. with German subtitles
THURSDAY, 30 JANUARY 2025
- Die Herrlichkeit des Lebens
by Georg Maas and Judith Kaufmann
Thursday, 30 January 2025 - 18h
Screening at Cinématographe
V.O. with German subtitles
Presented by Evelyn Dueck, Professor of Modern German Literature and Comparative Literature at the University of Geneva. - The Zone of Interest
by Jonathan Glazer
Thursday, 30 January 2025 - 21h
Screening at Cinématographe
V.O. with French subtitles
FRIDAY, 31 JANUARY 2025
- Anselm. Das Rauschen der Zeit
by Wim Wenders
Friday, 31 January 2025 - 18h
Screening at Cinématographe
V.O. with French subtitles
In the presence of director and playwright Massimo Furlan and playwright Claire de Ribaupierre. -
Andrea lässt sich scheiden
by Josef Hader
Friday, 31 January 2025 - 21h
Screening at Cinématographe
V.O. with German subtitles
Cinématographe
Casino de Montbenon
Allée Ernest-Ansermet 3
1003 Lausanne
https://lecinematographe.ch
From Lausanne station: on foot up Av. Louis-Ruchonnet, then Av. de Savoie by bus (3, 20, 21), Cécil stop
