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    Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF), 15th Edition : 3rd- 11th July 2015, Switzerland

    “As Orson Welles once said – “ Look what 700 years of democracy have brought to Switzerland: chocolate and the cuckoo clock”. Well since the picturesque city of Neuchâtel is precisely the Home of Swiss chocolate and watches, you might conclude that it is the quietest place on earth.”

    Created in 2000, the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) has become a major film event in Switzerland in just 14 editions. Indeed, the NIFFF’s quality and original programs, as well as its prestigious guests, convinced both the public and the critics.  NIFFF is taking place at Théâtre du Passage, Arcades,  Jardin anglais, Temple du Bas, Apollo and the Rex.

    The Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) is a Swiss film festival dedicated to fantastic movies. It was created in 2000 by a group of friends and is now renowned nationally and internationally as an unavoidable reference in genre cinema. The NIFFF defines itself through a rich and diversified programming, constructed around three central axes : Fantastic cinema, Asian cinema and Digital images. The films shown at the Festival are very diversified, going from worldwide expected movies by renowned directors to unknown and underground films d’auteurs. Famous fantastic film directors have already honored the NIFFF with their presences, including George A. Romero, Joe Dante, John Landis, Terry Gilliam, Hideo Nakata.

    Since 2000, the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) has rocked the city to the ground, welcoming cult guests such as Roger Corman, Phil Tippett, Dario Argento, Ray Harryhausen, Stuart Gordon, Shinya Tsukamoto, Tobe Hooper, Marc Caro and many more.

    Now one of the most important film festivals in Switzerland, NIFFF gives away the “Narcisse” Award by Oscar Winner H.R.Giger, the famous designer of Alien. After The bothersome Man in 2006, You, the living by Roy Andersson won the Narcisse award in 2007, leading a high profile selection of over 70 features and shorts, all presented in Swiss or International Premiere.

    NIFFF holds various sections, from its International Competition for fantastic features to special programs and workshops devoted to Special Effects and the Digital Image. With two Competitions for feature films (fantastic and Asian) and its side programs the event offer the best platform to promote Fantastic and Asian recent productions in the country.

    Chris Carter (July 2008).jpg 

    The 2015 Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival’s  Guests of Honor are Chris Carter (american television and film producer, director, writer and screenwriter : The X-Files, Millennium, Harsh Realm, The Lone Gunmen) and Michael Moorcock (the famous british SF&F writer).

    The New Worlds Of Fantasy’s Guest  is John Howe (Canada),  illustrator and production designer.

    NIFFF International Critic’s Award Jury : Sarah Stutte (Germany , Deadline-magazin.de), Gilles Esposito (France, mad-movies.com), Lorenzo Del Porto (Italy, Nocturno.it), Raúl Gil (Spain, ScifiWorld.es), Shelagh Rowan-Legg (Canada, TwitchFilm.com).

    Neuchâtel (French pronunciation: ​[nøʃatɛl]), Old French: neu(f) “new” + chatel “castle” (French: château), is the capital of the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel on Lake Neuchâtel.

    The city has as of December 2013 approximately 33,600 inhabitants (80,000 in the metropolitan area).

    The city is sometimes referred to historically by the German name Neuenburg, which has the same meaning, since it originally belonged to the Holy Roman Empire and later Prussia, which ruled the area until 1848.

     

    The official language of Neuchâtel is French (Neuchâtel is situated in Suisse romande or Romandie, the French-speaking parts of western Switzerland ; in 2010 about 1.9 million people, or 24.4% of the Swiss population, lived in Romandie ; the bulk of Romand population lives in the Arc Lémanique region along Lake Geneva, connecting Geneva, Vaud and the Lower Valais).

    The movies from the competition are :

    TALE OF TALES (Il racconto dei racconti) – Matteo Garrone, Italy, 2015

    LIZA, THE FOX-FAIRY – Károly Ujj Mészáros, Hungary, 2015

    LOVE – Gaspar Noé, France, 2015

    GAZ DE FRANCE – Benoit Forgeard, France, 2015

    THE CORPSE OF ANNA FRITZ – Hèctor Hernández Vicens, Spain, 2015

    HELLVETIA SHOW – Pedro & Ramon , Switzerland, 2015

    POLDER – Julian M. Grünthal & Samuel Schwarz, Switzerland, 2015

    HOMESICK – Jakob Erwa, Germany, 2015

    Benni Diez, Germany, 2015

    MEN & CHICKEN – Anders Thomas Jensen, Denmark, 2015

    BRIDGEND – Jeppe Rønde, Denmark, 2015

    LOVEMILLA – Teemu Nikki, Finland, 2015

    SLOW WEST – John Maclean, UK, 2015

    SCHERZO DIABOLICO – Adrián García Bogliano, Mexico, 2015

    TURBO KID – François Simard & Anouk Whissell & Yohann-Karl Whissell, Canada, 2015

    MAGGIE – Henry Hobson, USA, 2015

    EXCESS FLESH – Patrick Kennelly, USA, 2015

    EMELIE – Michael Thelin, USA, 2015

    WE ARE STILL HERE – Ted Geoghegan, USA, 2015

    THE INVITATION – Karyn Kusama, USA, 2015

    AVA’S POSSESSIONS – Jordan Galland, USA, 2015

    GREEN ROOM – Jeremy Saulnier, USA, 2015

    SOME KIND OF HATE – Adam Egypt Mortimer, USA, 2015

    CONTRACTED: PHASE II – Josh Forbes, USA, 2015

    DEATHGASM – Jason Lei Howden, New Zealand, 2015

    STRAYER’S CHRONICLE – Zeze Takahisa, Japan, 2015

    YAKUZA APOCALYPSE – Miike Takashi, Japan, 2015

    OFFICE – Hong Won-chan, South Korea, 2015

    FULL STRIKE – Henri Wong & Derek Kwok, Hong-Kong, 2015

    CRUMBS – Miguel Llansò, Ethiopia, 2015

    The first characteristic of the NIFF festival is a rich and diversified programming constructed around one central axis:

    Fantastic cinema and two complementary axes: Asian cinema and Digital Images.

    FANTASTIC CINEMA : PIONEERING AESTHETICS FOR THE SEVENTH ART

    The concept of “fantastic cinema” upon which the NIFFF’s programming is based, is open and encompasses those films which transcend the commonly accepted view of ’normal reality’ defined by the ’laws of nature.’ These transgressions can take many different forms, from the most spectacular to the more subtle. They can actually allow us to enter completely imaginary worlds, introducing a minute doubt into our habitual perception of everyday reality.

    The festival is interested in all these divergences. This allows the programming to include a huge variety of films: from blockbusters to films d’auteur, from black comedy to Sci-Fi, and from stop-motion animation to CGI. The aim of the Festival is to emphasize both the creativity of the genre today and its role in the history of cinema here and abroad.

    The NIFFF offers five competitions : an international competition, an Asian competition, a Best Swiss Short Film Competition, a Best European Short Film Competition and a Swiss Video Art Competition entitled Actual Fears and inaugurated in 2008.

    Since its creation, the NIFFF has been programmed each year during the first week of July, except in 2001. In 2015, the NIFFF celebrates its 15th edition and counts amongst the major cinematographic events in Switzerland, supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Culture.

    ASIA: FANTASTIC FOR NEW TRENDS

    Over the years, the vitality of Asian cinema has been acknowledged internationally. Despite the fact that Asian cinema produces its fair share of blockbusters and wins awards in many of the largest film festivals, its access remains very limited in Switzerland ; hence, the Festival’s decision to launch New Cinema from Asia, a competition devoted to Asian cinema only. This competition is not restricted to fantastic films, as it also encompasses other major popular genres : thrillers, comedies, kung fu and sword films. Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong are well represented, but films from less expected countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines also attract remarkable attention. A unique opportunity to explore the tremendous diversity of this booming cinema, still largely unrecognized here.

    © Giona Mottura

    DIGITAL IMAGES: THE CINEMA OF TOMORROW

    From the very beginning, “fantastic cinema” was closely associated with technology. Thanks to special effects, filmmakers were able to give form to their imaginary worlds. Today, developments in computer technology produce extraordinary results in the creation and manipulation of images. To take the measure of these recent technologies, the festival not only presents a selection of films created with digital imagery, but also organizes a symposium bringing together designers, scientists and industrialists. Screenings, meetings, workshops and demonstrations give experts and laymen a unique opportunity to discover the latest artistic and technological innovations in the field of digital images.

    For more information, please visit : www.imagingthefuture.ch

    Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) : List of Award Winners

    YearAwardFilmCountryDirector
    2014H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature FilmHousebound New ZealandGerard Johnstone
    Silver Méliès Award for Best European FilmBlind NorwayEskil Vogt
    Imaging The Future Award for Best Design ProductionThe Mole Song : Undercover Agent Reiji JapanTakashi Miiike
    Best Asian Movie AwardYasmine BruneiSiti Kamaluddin,
    Chan Man-Ching
    International Critic’s AwardIt Follows United StatesDavid Robert Mitchell
    Youth Award
    Audience RTS AwardWhat We Do in the Shadows New ZealandJemaine Clement,
    Taika Waititi
    H. R. Giger «Narcisse» Award for Best Swiss ShortLothar  SwitzerlandLuca Zuberbühler
    Silver Méliès Award for Best European Short
    Taurus Studio Innovation AwardPappkameraden  SwitzerlandStefan Bischoff,
    Stephan Wiki
    2013H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature FilmDark Touch France
    Ireland
    Sweden
    Marina de Van
    Mad Movies Award to the «Maddest» Movie
    Youth Award
    Special mention of the International JuryChimères  SwitzerlandOlivier Beguin
    Silver Méliès Award for Best European FilmAu Nom du fils FranceVincent Lannoo
    Imaging The Future Award for Best Design ProductionGhost Graduation SpainJavier Ruiz Caldera
    Special mention of the Imaging The Future JuryMars et Avril FranceMartin Villeneuve
    Best Asian Movie AwardEega IndiaS.S Rajamouli,
    J.V.V Sathyanarayana
    Speciale mention of the Mad Movies Jury
    Blaise Cendrars Youth AwardThe Crack Colombia
    Argentina
    Alfonso Acosta
    Audience RTS AwardYou’re Next United StatesAdam Wingard
    Titra Film AwardThe Dyatlov Pass Incident FinlandRenny Harlin
    H. R. Giger «Narcisse» Award for Best Swiss ShortPalim Palim  SwitzerlandMarina Klauser,
    Pia Hellenthal
    Taurus Studio Award
    Special mention of the SSA/Suissimage JuryPocket Rocket  SwitzerlandWalter Feistle
    Taurus Studio Innovation AwardEffort  SwitzerlandEleonora Berra
    Silver Méliès Award for Best European ShortEntre Ange et Demon  SwitzerlandPascal Forney
    2012H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature FilmCitadel IrelandCiaran Foy
    Special mention of the Mad Movies Jury
    Silver Méliès Award for Best European Film
    Special mention of the International JuryVanishing Waves LithuaniaKristina Buozyté
    Best Asian Movie AwardRemington and the Curse of the Zombadings PhilippinesJade Castro
    Youth AwardThe Butterfly Room ItalyJonathan Zarantonello
    Mad Movies Award for the «Maddest» MovieResolution United StatesJustin Benson,
    Aaron Moorhead
    Titra Film AwardGrabbers United KingdomJon Wright
    TSR Audience Award
    H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Swiss ShortZimmer 606  SwitzerlandPeter Volkart
    Taurus Studio Award
    Silver Méliès Award for Best European Short
    Taurus Studio Innovation AwardMagnetfelder  SwitzerlandJan-Eric Mack
    2011H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature FilmTrollhunter NorwayAndré Øvredal
    TSR Audience Award
    Silver Méliès for Best European Film
    Special Mention from the International JuryStake Land United StatesJim Mickle
    Best Asian Film AwardHello Ghost South KoreaKim Young-tak
    The Denis-de-Rougemont Youth AwardWake Wood United Kingdom
    Ireland
    David Keating
    Mad Movies Award for the «Maddest» FilmThe Violent Kind United StatesButcher Brothers
    Titra Film AwardInsidious United StatesJames Wan
    H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Swiss ShortEvermore  SwitzerlandPhilip Hofmänner
    Taurus Studio Award
    Taurus Studio Award for InnovationEmploye Du Mois  SwitzerlandOlivier Béguin
    Nomination for the Golden Méliès for Best European ShortBrutal Relax SpainDavid Munoz,
    Adrian Cardona,
    Rafa Dengra
    2010H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature FilmEnter The Void FranceGaspar Noé
    TSR Audience AwardBlack Death United KingdomChris Smith
    The Denis-de-Rougemont Youth AwardStrayed KazakhstanAkan Satayev
    The Silver Méliès for Best European FilmStrigoi United KingdomFaye Jackson
    Mad Movies Award for the «Maddest» FilmDream Home Hong KongPang Ho-Cheung
    Special mention of the Jury
    Best Asian Movie AwardWIG JapanRenpei Tsukamoto
    Titra Film AwardValhalla Rising DenmarkNicolas Winding Refn
    H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Swiss ShortDanny Boy  SwitzerlandMarek Skrobecki
    The Taurus Studio Award
    The Taurus Studio for Innovation AwardIch Bin’s Helmut GermanyNicolas Steiner
    Nomination for the Golden Méliès for Best European ShortTry a Little Tenderness GermanyBenjamin Teske
    2009H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature FilmFish Story JapanYoshihiro Nakamura
    The Denis-de-Rougemont Youth Award
    Special mention of the JuryInfestation United StatesKyle Rankin
    TSR Audience AwardConnected Hong Kong, ChinaBenny Chan
    The Silver Méliès for Best European FilmLeft Bank BelgiumPieter Van Hees
    Mad Movies Award for «le film le plus Mad»
    Best Asian Movie AwardThe Handsome Suit JapanTsutomu Hanabusa
    Titra Film AwardAntichrist Denmark
    Poland
    Germany
    Sweden
    Italy
    Lars Von Trier
    H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Swiss ShortLe Petit Dragon  SwitzerlandBruno Collet
    The Taurus Studio Award
    The Taurus Studio for Innovation AwardDéjà  SwitzerlandAntonin Schopfer
    Nomination for the Golden Méliès for Best European ShortTile M for Murder SwedenMagnus Holmgren
    2008H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature FilmSleep Dealer United States
    Mexico
    Alex Rivera
    Special mention of the JuryTokyo! France
    Japan
    Germany
    South Korea
    Bong Joon-ho,
    Leos Carax,
    Michel Gondry
    Titra Film Award
    TSR Audience AwardCJ7 Hong KongStephen Chow
    The Silver Méliès for Best European Feature FilmLet the Right One in SwedenTomas Alfredson
    Special mention of the Jury
    The Denis-de-Rougemont Youth Award
    Mad Movies Award for Best Asian MovieOm Shanti Om IndiaFarka Khan
    H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Swiss ShortVincent le Magnifique  SwitzerlandPascal Forney
    H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Art VideoThe Counterfeiters  Switzerland
    United States
    Katia Bassanini
    Nomination for the Golden Méliès for Best European ShortScary NetherlandsMartijn Hullegie
    2007H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature FilmYou, the Living SwedenRoy Andersson
    Titra Film Award
    Special mention of the JuryThe Ugly Swans RussiaKonstantin Lopishansky
    Silver Méliès for Best European Feature Film
    TSR Audience AwardBlack Sheep New ZealandJonathan King
    Mad Movies Award for Best Asian MovieDon IndiaFarhan Akthar
    The Denis-de-Rougemont Youth AwardLa Antena ArgentinaEsteban Sapir
    H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Swiss ShortCity Wasp  SwitzerlandSteven Tod
    Nomination for the Golden Méliès for Best European ShortSilence Is Golden United KingdomChrist Sheperd
    2006H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature FilmThe Bothersome Man Norway
    Iceland
    Jens Lien
    Golden Méliès for Best European Film
    TSR Audience AwardAdam’s Apples Denmark
    Germany
    Anders Thomas Jensen
    The Denis-de-Rougemont Youth Award
    Mad Movies Award for Best Asian MovieSPL Hong KongWilson Yip
    H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Swiss ShortUne Nuit Blanche  SwitzerlandMaja Gehrig
    Nomination for the Golden Méliès for Best European ShortDilemma NetherlandsBoris Paval Conen
    2005H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature FilmInnocence FranceLucile Hadzihalilovic
    The Denis-de-Rougemont Youth Award
    TSR Audience AwardZeburaman JapanMiike Takashi
    Mad Movies Award for Best Asian Movie
    Golden Méliès for Best European FilmCode 46 Great BritainMichael Winterbottom
    H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Swiss ShortTerra Incognita  SwitzerlandPeter Volkart
    2004H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature FilmThe Machinist United States
    Spain
    Brad Anderson
    Silver Méliès Award for Best Feature Film
    TSR Audience AwardTokyo Godfathers JapanSatoshi Kon
    Mad Movies Award for Best Asian Movie
    The Denis-de-Rougemont Youth AwardThe Taste of Tea JapanKatsuhito Ishii
    SSA/Suissimage Price for Best Swiss ShortBelmondo  SwitzerlandAnnette Carle
    Nomination for the Golden Méliès for Best European Short7:35 de la Manana SpainNacho Villalongo
    2003H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature Film28 Days Later United StatesDanny Boyle
    Special mention of the JuryGozu JapanTakashi Miike
    Mad Movies Award for Best Asian Movie
    TSR Audience AwardThe Invisible SwedenJoel Bergvall,
    Simon Sandquist
    The Denis-de-Rougemont Youth AwardNew Blood Hong KongPou-soi Cheang
    H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Swiss ShortLoups  SwitzerlandHugo Veludo
    Special mention of the SSA/Suissimage JuryLa Clé d’Argent  SwitzerlandVictor Jaquier
    2002H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature FilmThe Yin Yang Master JapanTakita Yojiro
    The Jury’s Omnicrom PrizeIchi The Killer JapanMiike Takashi
    TSR Audience AwardDon’t Ask, Don’t Tell United StatesDoug Miles
    H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Swiss ShortJoshua  SwitzerlandAndreas Müller
    2000H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Feature FilmGemini JapanShinya Tsukamoto
    Special mention of the JuryBlood Great BritainCharly Cantor
    H. R. Giger Award « Narcisse » for Best Swiss ShortTime With Nyenne  SwitzerlandOlivier Béguin

    © Raphaël Piguet

    http://www.nifff.ch/2015/site/en/program/program

    Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF), 15th Edition : 3rd- 11th of July 2015, Switzerland

     

    Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival
    Passage Max. de Meuron 6, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
    Festival Director: Anaïs Emery
    Federation Contact: Anaïs Emery
    Tel: +41 32 730 50 32
    E-mail: prog (at) nifff.ch

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