DOSSIER DE PRESSE PRESSKIT - NEUCHÂTEL INTERNATIONAL FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL JULY
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N I F F F
NEUCHÂTEL INTERNATIONAL
FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL
02 – 10 JULY 2021
DESIGN : SUPERMAFIA
PRESSKIT
DOSSIER DE PRESSE
THE SWISS EVENT FOR FANTASTIC FILM, ASIAN CINEMA & DIGITAL CREATION
SUMMARY
NIFFF 2021
PROGRAMME 2021 2
INTERVIEW OF LOÏC VALCESCHINI, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AD INTERIM 4
PRIZE ET JURIES 6
NIFFF IN NUMBERS 8
PRESS OFFICE 9
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION 10
CEREMONIES 17
NEW CINEMA FROM ASIA 18
FILMS OF THE THIRD KIND 20
ULTRA MOVIES 21
FORMOSA FANTASTICA 23
NIFFF 20th EDITION 26
CARTE BLANCHE TO A SWISS CELEBRITY : MARTIN VETTERLI 28
SWISS SHORTS (SSA/SUISSIMAGE COMPETITION) 29
INTERNATIONAL SHORTS 29
NEW SHORTS FROM ASIA 30
SPECIAL SCREENINGS 31
SAUVAGE EXTENDED 32
NIFFF EXTENDED
MONDAY JULY 5 : IMAGING THE FUTURE 34
TUESDAY JULY 6 : IMAGING THE FUTURE 35
WEDNESDAY JULY 7 : STORYWORLDS 36
THURDAY JULY 8 : NEW WORLDS OF FANTASY 37
NIFFF INVASION 38
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS 40
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PROGRAMME
: Guest in situ
: Guest online
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
BOYS FROM COUNTY HELL - Chris Baugh, IE/UK, 2020, 88’ - Swiss Premiere
CENSOR - Prano Bailey-Bond, UK, 2021, 84’ - Swiss Premiere
CRYPTOZOO - Dash Shaw, US, 2021, 95’ - Swiss Premiere
FLASHBACK - Christopher MacBride, CA, 2020, 97’ - Swiss Premiere
GAIA - Jaco Bouwer, ZA, 2021, 98’ - Swiss Premiere
IN THE EARTH - Ben Wheatley, UK, 2021, 107’, Swiss Premiere
KING CAR - Renata Pinheiro, BR, 2021, 97’ - Swiss Premiere
KNOCKING - Frida Kempff, SE, 2021, 78’ - Swiss Premiere
LAPSIS - Noah Hutton, US, 2020, 108’ - Swiss Premiere
MIDNIGHT IN A PERFECT WORLD - Dodo Dayao, PH, 2020, 91’ - International Premiere
POST MORTEM - Péter Bergendy, HU, 2020, 115’ - Swiss Premiere
SON - Ivan Kavanagh, IE/US/UK, 2020, 98’ - Swiss Premiere
THE FEAST - Lee Haven Jones, UK, 2020, 92’ - European Premiere
TIDES - Tim Fehlbaum, DE/CH, 2021, 104’ - International Premiere
NEW CINEMA FROM ASIA
BEAUTY WATER - Cho Kyung-hun, KR, 2020, 85’ - Swiss Premiere
BEYOND THE INFINITE TWO MINUTES - Junta Yamaguchi, JP, 2021, 70’ - Swiss Premiere
MY MISSING VALENTINE - Chen Yu-hsun, TW, 2020, 119’ - Swiss Premiere
THE FABLE: THE KILLER WHO DOESN’T KILL - Kan Eguchi, JP, 2021, 123’ - European Premiere
OK! MADAM - Lee Cheol-ha, KR, 2020, 100’ - Swiss Premiere
SHOCK WAVE 2 - Herman Yau, HK/CN, 2020, 120’ - Swiss Premiere
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FILMS OF THE THIRD KIND
A GLITCH IN THE MATRIX - Rodney Ascher, US, 2021, 110’ - Swiss Premiere
TONKATSU DJ AGETARO - Ken Ninomiya, JP, 2020, 100’ - European Premiere
WILD MEN - Thomas Daneskov, DK, 2021, 104’ - European Premiere
MARYGOROUND - Daria Woszek, PL, 2020, 78’ - Swiss Premiere
ULTRA MOVIES
COMING HOME IN THE DARK - James Ashcroft, NZ, 2021, 93’ - Swiss Premiere
FRANK & ZED - Jesse Blanchard, US, 2020, 90’ - European Premiere
MÉANDRE - Mathieu Turi, FR, 2020, 90’ - Swiss Premiere
THE SPINE OF NIGHT - Morgan Galen King & Philip Gelatt, US, 2021, 93’ - Swiss Premiere
VICIOUS FUN - Cody Calahan, CA, 2020, 96’ - Swiss Premiere
WEREWOLVES WITHIN - Josh Ruben, US, 2021, 97’ - Swiss Premiere
FORMOSA FANTASTICA
AS WE LIKE IT - Chen Hung-I & Muni Wei, TW, 2021, 107’- Swiss Premiere
GET THE HELL OUT - Wang I-fan, TW, 2020, 95’ - Swiss Premiere
MY MISSING VALENTINE - Chen Yu-hsun, TW, 2020, 119’ - Swiss Premiere
THE MAGICIAN ON THE SKYWALK - Gilles Yang, TW, 2021, 95’ - European Premiere
THE SCOUNDRELS - Hung Tzu-hsuan, TW, 2018, 105’ - Swiss Premiere
THE TAG-ALONG - Cheng Wei-hao , TW, 2015, 91’ - Swiss Premiere
SAUVAGE EXTENDED
ANIMALIA SUM - Bianca Kennedy & The Swan Collective, DE/BR/IS, 2019, 9’ - Swiss Premiere
HOMINIDAE - Brian Andrews, US, 2020, 6’ - Swiss Premiere
ANOTHER SHORE - Théo Fischer, Pablo Perez & Hector Fassa, CH, 2021, 15’ - World Premiere
BATVISION - Raffaele Grosjean, Eliane Zihlmann & Oliver Sahli, CH, 2020, 3’ - World Premiere
AN ODE TO MOSS - SU, TW, 2020, 6’ - Swiss Premiere
A SONG WITHIN US - Fangas Nayaw, TW/FR, 2019, 15’ - Swiss Premiere
GREAT HOAX: THE MOON LANDING - John Hsu & Marco Lococo, TW/AR, 2020, 17’ - Swiss Premiere
SAMSARA EP. 1 - Huang Hsin-chien, TW, 2021, 17’ - European Premiere
3NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
INTERVIEW OF LOÏC VALCESCHINI
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AD INTERIM
THE NIFFF IS CELEBRATING ITS 20TH EDITION THIS YEAR, AFTER ONE POSTPONEMENT AND
A YEAR AND A HALF LONG PANDEMIC. HOW DOES ONE GO ABOUT ORGANISING THE EVENT
IN SUCH TROUBLED TIMES?
With a great deal of resilience! We had already partially gone through that in 2020 with the special
edition but organising a festival during a pandemic is a complex and frustrating endeavour. That
is why I am infinitely grateful to my team members for their flexibility and understanding when
confronted with the many uncertainties that have made these preparations difficult. Since we
definitely had no control over the situation or its evolution, we had to contend with a constant
lack of visibility and a complete absence of concrete answers. It forced us to continuously rethink
our approach, our format, and our projects. We had to come up with a variety of scenarios and
budgets and adapt at all times to current and potential future measures. In late May, we decided
on a format that would be able to adapt easily to restrictions all the while offering a diverse
and quality programme. We have been working in a state of urgency for weeks. For example, we
only learnt very recently that we would be authorized to have an outdoor socializing area at the
Jardin anglais, which had to be redesigned in record time to comply with health measures. We
have no other choice but to change things around every time a new rule comes into effect, and
we must continue to do so until the last day of the festival.
WHEN THE PANDEMIC STARTED, THERE WERE STORIES OF FILM PRODUCTIONS SHUTTING
DOWN AND FESTIVALS HAVING A HARD TIME FILLING UP THEIR SLATE. HAVE THESE ISSUES
HAD AN IMPACT ON YOU?
The pandemic had a massive impact on all industries. Fortunately, it has never actually become
a challenge finding new films to show for us. Of course, there were slow-downs and delays
in some regions or countries, depending on the local contamination rates and the variants,
but the industry has more or less kept going. The programme of all festivals was impacted in
2020, but some events were able to happen physically, and most have maintained an online
presence. In Venice, Tallinn, Busan, Sundance, or Berlin, films were still able to leverage the
power of the festival circuit. As far as distribution goes, the reality ended up being the opposite
of what we thought would happen: despite the boost to streaming platforms and their growing
catalogues, too many films piled up in limbo, waiting for cinemas to reopen. This had an impact
on release dates and thus on the films’ availability. The industry adapted, and some paradigms
have disappeared: in the United States and South Korea, simultaneous (or closely scheduled)
physical and online blockbuster releases have taken place.
THE NIFFF HAS DECIDED TO KEEP OFFERING DIGITAL SCREENINGS AND HAS CONTINUED
TO DEVELOP THE HYBRIDITY OF SOME LABELS, SUCH AS NIFFF EXTENDED. HOW DOES THIS
WORK AND WHAT ARE THE GOALS?
The hybridity of our 20th edition complies with health measures while building on the lessons learnt
last year. Livestreaming of NIFFF conferences started a few years ago. Then, the 2020 special edition
4NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
went entirely digital. The NIFFF set up a VOD platform and launched the ambitious NIFFF TV, which
amounted to 9 hours of television programming. We were able to make good use of this enriching
experience to offer a strong digital selection for our 20th edition. This way, festival-goers can enjoy
some of our films regardless of the situation. This increases inclusivity by allowing people who cannot
travel to Neuchâtel to discover some of the programme. Finally, as NIFFF Extended conferences will
not be geo-blocked, they can be seen by a wider, more international audience, which is in line with the
objectives of this label geared toward industry professionals.
THE 2021 SELECTION INCLUDES MANY FIRST OR SECOND FEATURES. IS THE FANTASTIC
GENRE PARTICULARLY INSPIRING FOR NEW FILMMAKERS?
We did notice an incredible number of young filmmakers making genre cinema their own. Two
thirds of the International Competition are first or second features. It’s great seeing so much
enthusiasm and reminds us how much of an inspiration fantasy can be for emerging directors.
It’s the ideal tool to express one’s vision and reimagine the world. The fantastic genre can
take any form, can be moulded according to one’s wishes. It can offer rich images, and thus
has the potential to inspire widely. See for instance how students at the Geneva University
of Art and Design (HEAD) participated in a workshop driven by Basil Da Cunha to think about
the genre and make films within it. For a school more accustomed to studying naturalistic
cinema, the initiative shows the immense possibilities offered by fantasy, as demonstrated by
the BETWEEN FANTASY AND THE REAL selection.
ASIA IS A BIG PART OF THIS YEAR’S EDITION WITH THE NEW CINEMA FROM ASIA
COMPETITION, AS WELL AS THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY FORMOSA FANTASTICA PROGRAMME.
ARE FANTASTIC FILMS FROM ASIAN COUNTRIES PARTICULARLY CREATIVE NOWADAYS?
Asian films have always been a big part of the festival, since its first edition actually. Japanese
cyberpunk director Shinya Tsukamoto was one of our guests of honour in 2000. Asian cinema
is dynamic and descends from unique traditions, but it suffers from a massive lack of visibility,
and we hope to rectify that at least in part. This is why we chose to give the spotlight to
Taiwanese productions though our special FORMOSA FANTASTICA programme this year. In
Taiwan, as well as other Southeast Asian countries, romantic comedies tend to dominate
the market, so it is very heart-warming to see that fantasy has managed to find its place in
Taiwan’s industry in the last few years. It also fosters many relations with other sectors like
digital creation and literature. Since one of our missions is all about promoting and defending
new filmmakers, we must stay at the forefront of the genre’s new developments, whether
they come from Asia, Switzerland or anywhere else in the world.
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PRIZE & JURIES 2021
H.R. GIGER NARCISSE AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE FILM:
International Competition, granted by the City of Neuchâtel, CHF 10,000.-
Awarded by the international jury:
· Mona Chollet, author and essayist, CH
· Sylvie Lainé, author, FR
· Fabien Mauro, author and essayist, FR
· Mathieu Turi, filmmaker, FR
· Daria Woszek, filmmaker, PL
SILVER MELIES FOR BEST EUROPEAN FEATURE FILM:
Nomination by Swiss experts for the Méliès d’Or competition, an award granted
to the best European fantastic feature film by the European Federation of
Fantastic Film Festivals (EFFFF). Awarded by the international jury.
NIFFF INTERNATIONAL CRITICS AWARD:
Granted by 5 international journalists, awarded in the form of promotional
services. Given by the critics jury:
· Leonhard Elias Lemke, Journalist, Germany (Deadline, DE)
· Ard Vijn, Journalist, Netherlands (Screen Anarchy, CA)
· Rául Gil, Journalist, Spain (ScifiWorld, ES)
· Andrea Monili, Journalist, Italy (Nocturno, IT)
· Laurent Duroche, Journalist, France (Mad Movies, FR)
H.R. GIGER NARCISSE AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM:
SSA / SUISSIMAGE Swiss short films competition, CHF 10,000.- awarded by the
SSA / SUISSIMAGE jury:
· Kantarama Gahigiri, Director, Switzerland/Rwanda
· Marie-Eve Hildbrand, Director, Switzerland
· Ivana Kvesic, Director, Schweizer Jugendfilmtage, Switzerland
SILVER MÉLIÈS FOR BEST FANTASTIC EUROPEAN SHORT FILM:
Nomination for the Méliès d’Or for best European fantastic short film, awarded
by the SSA/SUISSIMAGE jury.
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BEST ASIAN FEATURE FILM AWARD:
Awarded by the audience to the best film in the New Cinema from Asia
competition.
RTS AUDIENCE AWARD:
Awarded by the RTS to the film which has received the highest vote from
the audience, in the form of support promoting the distribution of the film in
French-speaking Switzerland (CHF 5,000).
IMAGING THE FUTURE AWARD FOR BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN:
CHF 5,000 awarded by the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology
(CSEM) to the best production design in a film from the International Competition.
Awarded by the Taurus Studio Innovation Jury:
TAURUS AWARD FOR INNOVATION:
CHF 2,000 worth of sound post-production at Studio Taurus, awarded to the
most promising Swiss director by the Taurus Studio Innovation Jury:
· Claude Lander, Taurus Studio Founder, Switzerland
· Stéphane Morey, General secretary, Cinéforom, Switzerland
· Marie Herny, Co-director, Centre de culture ABC, France
DENIS-DE-ROUGEMONT YOUTH AWARD:
Awarded by students of the Denis-de-Rougemont high school (Neuchâtel).
PUBLIC AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM:
Awarded by the public to the best short film of the three short programmes
(Swiss Shorts, International Shorts, New Shorts from Asia).
7NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
NIFFF IN NUMBERS
Tickets sold in 2019 : 39’000
General attendance in 2019 : 49’000
Tickets sold in 2020 : 4’500
General attendance in 2020 : 21’500 (17’000 views on NIFFF TV)
FESTIVAL
· 20 editions
· 80 collaborators
· 6 locations
· 1 Open Air
PROGRAMME 2021
· Artistic works & creations: 106
· Feature Films: 48
· Short Films: 46
· Immersive installations: 8
· TV productions: 2
· World premieres: 10
· International premieres: 4
· European premieres: 8
· Swiss premieres: 52
· Screenings: 133
· Countries represented: 32
· Conferences: 15
· Free activities: 35
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PRESS OFFICE
BEFORE THE FESTIVAL
All accreditation forms can be submitted until Monday June 28th.
When applicable, the accreditation fee is CHF 70. The accreditation gives acces to
NIFFF EXTENDED upon reservation.
Our Press Team is at your disposal for interview requests (both online or on site
guests), additional information and questions regarding the programme. The press
screenings timetable will be available on the press corner on nifff.ch and at the
press office during the festival.
The films can also be screened prior to the event. If you’d like a screener please
reach out to press@nifff.ch.
DURING THE FESTIVAL
The press office is open to journalists and professionals on the 1st floor of the
Théâtre du Passage, Maximilien-de-Meuron 4, 2000 Neuchâtel.
OPENING HOURS
Théâtre du Passage, 1st floor
02.07 : 14:00 - 20:00
03.07 - 10.07 : 11:00 - 20:00
CONTACT
Press office Bastien Bento Jennifer Siegrist
press@nifff.ch Head of press Press Coordindator
T: +41 32 731 07 76 bastien.bento@nifff.ch jennifer.siegrist@nifff.ch
M: +41 79 934 34 63 M: +41 79 519 64 89
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INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
BOYS FROM COUNTY HELL SWISS PREMIERE
Chris Baugh, IE/UK, 2020, 88’
Cast: Lake Bell, Michael Cera, Zoe Kazan
World sales: Six Mile Hill Productions, Blinder Films
Nominated for Silver Méliès for best fantastic European feature film
FILM
Welcome to the quiet little country town of Six Mile Hill, where curious tourists visit the tomb
of Abhartach, a legendary vampire from Ireland. This is where Eugene and his friends grew
up, drinking beer and exploiting the tourists’ naivety to con them. One day, they accidentally
destroy a famous cairn, and understand that you’re better off not making fun of some legends.
The ancient, blood-thirsty vampire must however contend with exceptionally phlegmatic
preys. A hilarious reimagining of old Irish myths that both honours and pokes fun at them.
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
BAD DAY FOR THE CUT (2017)
CENSOR SWISS PREMIERE
Prano Bailey-Bond, UK, 2021, 84’
Cast : Niamh Algar, Michael Smiley, Nicholas Burns
World sales : Protagonist Pictures
FILM
In Thatcher’s conservative England, the trend of the video nasties triggers a moral panic.
Employed by the censorship board, Enid Baines spends her days watching sordid VHS tapes and
suggesting cuts about the most extreme films. One day, while she is working on a particularly
brutal slasher, traumas from her past resurface and take Enid to the edge of madness. Prano
Bailey-Bond delivers a remarkable directorial debut, a love letter to the horror genre where
she aptly combines the morbid elegance of gialli, a typically British sense of dark humour, and
a mesmerising and gloomy atmosphere.
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
SHORTCUT (2016, short)
NASTY (2015, short)
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INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
CRYPTOZOO SWISS PREMIERE
Dash Shaw, US, 2021, 95’
Cast : Lorenzo Quinteros, Hugo Soto, Inés Vernengo
World sales : The Match Factory
FILM
In the 1960s, an avid protector of legendary animals sets out to find a baku, a creature from
Japanese mythology that has recently been spotted by a bounty hunter. Accompanied by
two acolytes, she engages in a chase that will take them to the four corners of the Earth and
force them to face less friendly entities... This audacious and creative animated film with a
luxuriant sense of aesthetics is an anticapitalistic, extraordinary eco-fable that incites us to
think about the nature of utopias. A raw gem of imagination and visual freedom.
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
MY ENTIRE HIGHSCHOOL SINKING INTO THE SEA (2016)
FLASHBACK SWISS PREMIERE
Christopher MacBride, CA, 2020, 97’
Cast : Dylan O’Brien, Maika Monroe, Hannah Gross
Distributor : Capelight Pictures
FILM
Nearing 30 years of age, Frederick Fitzell lives a quiet and well-organised life. He is about to
get engaged to his girlfriend. His peaceful existence is turned upside down when he starts
having nightmarish visions of Cindy, an old high school flame he hasn’t seen in a very long
time. Convinced that something has happened to her and that it has something to do with
him, Fred sets out on a strange quest where past, present and future intertwine. Prepare
for a narrative tour-de-force and existential questions: FLASHBACK quickly takes you on
a sensational rollercoaster that might very well make it the new cult movie of an entire
generation.
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
THE CONSPIRACY (2012)
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INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
GAIA SWISS PREMIERE
Jaco Bouwer, ZA, 2021, 98’
Cast : Monique Rockman, Carel Nel, Alex van Dyk
World sales : SquareOne Entertainment Gmbh
FILM
A forest ranger ventures deep into ancient woods during a routine reconnaissance mission.
After losing track of her colleague, she bumps into an odd pair: a completely paranoid father
and son who are living in the wild. The two men seem to have developed their own religion
based on their mysterious relationship with mother nature. GAIA is a striking exploration of
South African pagan myths. A radical, bone-chilling proposition of eco-horror that makes the
game THE LAST OF US look like a walk in the park. Not sure Rousseau would have ever come
up with the “noble savage” if he had seen GAIA.
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
THIS COUNTRY IS LONELY (2019, short)
IN THE EARTH SWISS PREMIERE
Ben Wheatley, UK, 2021, 107’
Cast : Joel Fry, Ellora Torchia, Hayley Squires
World sales : Protagonist Pictures
Nominated for Silver Méliès for best fantastic European feature film
FILM
As a virus is wreaking havoc throughout the world, the scientific community rushes to create a
vaccine. It’s in these turbulent circumstances that Martin is sent to the Bristol countryside to
start his research. A forest ranger tags along. After a while, it seems like nature is awakening
around them, until there is no longer any doubt: something else is prowling in the woods. Using
the health crisis as a backdrop, Ben Wheatley probes the deepest recesses of the human soul
and reconnects with the kind of genre cinema he started in. A horrific phantasmagoria and a
sensory experience that will forever be seared in your memory.
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
REBECCA (2020)
HIGH RISE (2015)
SIGHTSEERS (2012)
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INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
KING CAR SWISS PREMIERE
Renata Pinheiro, BR, 2021, 97’
Cast : Okado do Canal, Jules Elting, Matheus Nachtergaele
World sales : Reel Suspects
FILM
Ninho is the son of a taxi company’s owner. He is blessed with an extraordinary gift: he can
talk to cars. When a new law makes driving vehicles more than fifteen years old illegal, he
decides to renovate old cars with his uncle. Their idea entails a certain number of unforeseen
risks… With a corrosive retro futuristic design, this emotionally powerful sci-fi thriller is
part eco-fable, part scathing political critique. A breathtaking example of how well genre
cinema can be conductive of militant positions about the world we live in.
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
ESTRADEIROS (2018)
AÇÚCAR (2017)
LOVE, PLASTIC AND NOISE (2013)
KNOCKING SWISS PREMIERE
Frida Kempff, SE, 2021, 78’
Cast : Cecilia Milocco, Albin Grenholm, Ville Virtanen
Distributor : Praesens-film Ag
Nominated for Silver Méliès for best fantastic European feature film
FILM
Molly has just moved into a new apartment. Soon, she is disturbed by strange knocking noises
that seem to come from upstairs. Worried, she mentions it to her neighbours, but no one
believes her. As the knocking intensifies, Molly becomes convinced someone is in danger...
As Frida Kempff’s first feature film, KNOCKING is a breathtaking sensory experience where
the elegance of the directing perfectly captures the protagonist’s distress. A powerful tale
of resilience whose subjective approach encourages the viewer to see beyond appearances.
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
DEAR KID (2016, short)
CIRCLES (2016, short)
WINTER BOY (2015)
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INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
LAPSIS SWISS PREMIERE
Noah Hutton, US, 2020, 108’
Cast : Dean Imperial, Madeline Wise, Arliss Howard
World sales : Hyde Park International
FILM
New York in the very near future: quantum computing is all the rage. To support his young
brother suffering from a mysterious illness, Ray takes on a strange job that could pay
extremely well. He is tasked with running cables for miles on end between magnetic cubes
all through the forest. But quickly, he realises that something doesn’t seem right. A cynical
critique of the absurdities of a world where productivity is king, LAPSIS can be seen as an
anti-Amazon satire against consumerism and its social consequences. Ray’s story becomes a
revolutionary journey with a bitter-sweet after taste that hits close to home.
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
IN SILICO (2020)
DEEP TIME (2015)
CRUDE INDEPENDENCE (2009)
MIDNIGHT IN A PERFECT WORLD INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
Dodo Dayao, PH, 2020, 91’
Cast : Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Glaiza de Castro, Anthony Falcon
Festival contact : Epicmedia Productions
FILM
In the near future, Manila has almost become a utopia. Only one problem: the capital city is
plagued with strange and random power outages that occur after midnight. Whoever finds
themselves in an affected area disappears mysteriously. One night, four friends experience
one such outage, and must fend off what turns out to be much more than an urban legend.
Using horror to ask questions about today’s Filipino society, MIDNIGHT IN A PERFECT WORLD
is a feverish dive in the heart of darkness, a nightmarish journey though dizzying aesthetics.
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
VIOLATOR (2014)
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INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
POST MORTEM SWISS PREMIERE
Péter Bergendy, HU, 2020, 115’
Cast : Viktor Klem, Fruzsina Hais, Judith Schell
World sales : National Film Institute - Hungary
Nominated for Silver Méliès for best fantastic European feature film
FILM
Winter 1918. Tomas is a young post-mortem photographer who travels to an isolated village
plagued with the Spanish flu. Death is everywhere: in the bodies destroyed by the pandemic,
and in the ravages of World War I. And yet, something even more terrifying lurks in the
shadows… With this ambitious and spectacular film, Péter Bergendy films the harshness of
a Hungary in ruins. The bone-chilling atmosphere goes hand in hand with visually striking
horror sequences that are truly unique. More evidence that Hungarian genre cinema is very
much alive and isn’t done enthralling us.
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
TREZOR (2018)
THE EXAM (2011)
STOP MOM THERESA! (2004)
SON SWISS PREMIERE
Ivan Kavanagh, IE/US/UK, 2021, 98’
Cast : Andi Matichak, Emile Hirsch, Luke David Blumm
Distributor : Praesens-film Ag
Nominated for Silver Méliès for best fantastic European feature film
FILM
Laura, who escaped from a cult years ago, is determined to move heaven and earth when
her 8-year-old son David contracts a mysterious illness. She will stop at nothing, not even at
spilling blood… Seven years after the spine-tingling THE CANAL (NIFFF 2014), Irish prodigy
Ivan Kavanagh is back with his most striking horror film yet. Join his astounding main actress
in her race against demonic forces. Let the painstakingly crafted tension take you all the way
to its extreme and terrifying finale. How far would you go to protect your child?
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
NEVER GROW OLD (2019)
THE CANAL (NIFFF 2014)
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INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
THE FEAST EUROPEAN PREMIERE
Lee Haven Jones, UK, 2021, 92’
Cast : Caroline Berry, Stefan Cennyd, Sion Alun Davies
Distributor : Praesens-film Ag
Nominated for Silver Méliès for best fantastic European feature film
FILM
A wealthy family invites a local businessman and their farming neighbour to a flashy diner
at their luxurious and isolated home in the heart of the Welsh countryside. They want to buy
some land that the locals consider sacred. However, Cadi, a mysterious young woman hired
that day to help in the kitchen, will turn their plans upside down… THE FEAST is a slow-
burner that deploys a dark atmosphere and an anxiety-inducing soundscape that build up to a
devastating conclusion. A rare opportunity to experience a horror film in the Welsh language,
through a perverse, anti-consumerist eco-revenge tale.
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
DOCTOR WHO: REVOLUTION OF THE DALEKS (2021, TV show)
WANT IT (2015, short)
TIDES INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
Swiss release: 26.08 (D) / 22.09 (F)
Tim Fehlbaum, DE/CH, 2021, 104’
Cast : Nora Arnezeder, Iain Glen, Sara-Sofie Boussnina
Distributor : Praesens-film Ag
Nominated for Silver Méliès for best fantastic European feature film
FILM
In the near future, a global catastrophe has killed most of mankind. A small fraction found refuge
on a remote exoplanet. Two generations later, the space colonizers are struggling to keep their
species alive and send scouts back to find out whether Earth is inhabitable again. After HELL
(2011), Swiss filmmaker Tim Fehlbaum leverages once more the power of climate disasters to
propel and ambitious and impressive sci-fi film. Visually breathtaking, TIDES blends location
shooting with astounding visual effects to better convey a number of pressing questions.
SELECTIVE FILMOGRAPHY
HELL (2011)
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CEREMONIES
OPENING CEREMONY
LAPSIS SWISS PREMIERE
Noah Hutton, US, 2020, 108’
Cast : Taylor Hess, Jesse Miller, Joseph Varca
World sales : Hyde Park International
A delivery man takes on an odd but well-paying new job: to run cables between metal boxes
through the forest. Although he lives in a world where productivity reigns supreme, resistance is
CLOSING CEREMONY
TEDDY SWISS PREMIERE
Ludovic Boukherma & Zoran Boukherma, FR, 2020, 88’
Cast : Anthony Bajon, Noémie Lvovsky
World sales : WTFilms
Teddy works in a massage parlour. While a wolf stirs up the anger of the villagers, the young man
is scratched by a beast. The strange events have only just begun...
17NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
NEW CINEMA FROM ASIA
Year after year, Asian cinema has given undeniable proof of its vitality to audiences worldwide.
And yet, those films remain hard to see in Switzerland. That is why the festival wanted to have
a purely Asian competition called New Cinema from Asia. It focuses on the popular genres
affiliated with fantasy, such as thrillers, swordplay movies, comedies, kung fu flicks, and so on.
BEAUTY WATER SWISS PREMIERE
Cho Kyung-hun, KR, 2020, 85’
Cast: Moon Nam-sook
World sales: M-line Distribution
Yaeji dreams of being the most beautiful. A wish granted thanks to a new cosmetic product that
allows her to sculpt her body as she pleases. A gory Faustian fable in a cruel world.
BEYOND THE INFINITE TWO MINUTES SWISS PREMIERE
Junta Yamaguchi, JP, 2020, 70’
Cast : Asakura Aki, Tosa Kazunori, Fujitani Riko
Festival contact: Third Window Films
As he is coming home, a coffee shop owner bumps into himself… from two minutes in the future.
Dizzying time loops await in this creative and surprising film.
MY MISSING VALENTINE SWISS PREMIERE
Chen Yu-hsun, TW, 2020, 119’
Cast : Liu Kuan-ting, Patty Lee, Duncan Lei
World sales : Mandarinvision
A young woman who cannot wait to finally go on a date for Valentine’s Day wakes up and realises
February 14th has come and gone… This original romantic comedy is a breath of fresh air.
THE FABLE: THE KILLER WHO DOESN’T KILL EUROPEAN PREMIERE
Kan Eguchi, JP, 2021, 123’
Cast : Junichi Okada, Fumino Kimura, Shinichi Tsutsumi
World sales : Nippon Television Network Corp. (NTV)
Akira has left his life as an assassin behind and is now working for a design company. But when
a hitman targets one of his colleagues, his cover is blown. The sensational sequel to The Fable,
winner of the NIFFF 2019!
18NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
NEW CINEMA FROM ASIA
OK! MADAM SWISS PREMIERE
Lee Cheol-ha, KR, 2020, 100’
Cast : Jeon Woon-jong, Bae Jeong-nam, Uhm Jung-hwa
World sales : M-line Distribution
A family wins a vacation in Hawai. But wait! The plane is hijacked by terrorists. Tough luck… for
them! To protect her own, the mother must reconnect with her former self. Best action comedy
of the year!
SHOCK WAVE 2 SWISS PREMIERE
Herman Yau, HK/CN, 2020, 120’
Cast : Andy Lau, Sean Lau, Ni Ni
Festival contact: Universe films
A former bomb-disposal expert is found unconscious on a crime scene. With no memory of what
happened, he sets off on a race against time to uncover the truth. Hong Kong action cinema at its
finest in this spiritual sequel.
19NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS FILMS OF THE THIRD KIND The most anticipated premieres of the festival let the audience explore the relationship between thrillers and fantasy films. A GLITCH IN THE MATRIX SWISS PREMIERE Rodney Ascher, US, 2021, 110’ Cast : Nick Bostrom, Joshua Cooke, Erik Davis World sales : Magnolia Pictures & Magnet Releasing Are we living in a virtual reality, an entirely fabricated world? Immerse yourself in this disturbing and bone-chilling documentary that lets people who believe this make their case. TONKATSU DJ AGETARO EUROPEAN PREMIERE Ken Ninomiya, JP, 2020, 100’ Cast : Asaka Kôdai, Ikema Natsumi, Iseya Yûsuke World sales : Pony Canyon Inc What do fried breaded pork and DJing have in common? Agetaro will have an epiphany while trying to seduce his neighbour. When the art of frying becomes the secret ingredient. WILD MEN EUROPEAN PREMIERE Thomas Daneskov, DK, 2021, 104’ Cast : Rasmus Bjerg, Zaki Youssef, Bjørn Sundquist Distributor : Koch Media Martin has a mid-life crisis. He abandons his family and goes live as a hermit in the Norwegian mountains. But surviving in the wild proves harder than expected, especially after he meets Musa, MARYGOROUND SWISS PREMIERE Daria Woszek, PL, 2020, 78’ Cast : Grazyna Misiorowska, Janusz Chabior, Barbara Kursaj World sales : Media Luna New Films Ug Mary is a 50-something indoorsy cashier who lives for work and Jesus. One day, she overdoses on hormonal patches and is assaulted by her senses. She now has a new quest: to lose her virginity. 20
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ULTRA MOVIES
Midnight screenings that unveil the strangest aspects of genre cinema.
COMING HOME IN THE DARK SWISS PREMIERE
James Ashcroft, NZ, 2021, 93’
Cast : Daniel Gillies, Erik Thomson, Miriama McDowell
Distributor : Swift Productions
A teacher is forced to confront his past when thugs take him and his family on a nightmarish road
trip. A journey into the heart of evil that will leave its mark.
FRANK & ZED EUROPEAN PREMIERE
Jesse Blanchard, US, 2020, 90’
Cast : Jerry Bell Jr., Aaron Booth, Randolph F. Christen
World sales : Puppetcore Films
As the threatening fulfilment of a prophecy fans the flames of paranoia, villagers take up arms
against Frank and Zed, two friendly monsters. A gem of humour, good film craftsmanship, and gore.
MÉANDRE SWISS PREMIERE
Mathieu Turi, FR, 2020, 90’
Cast : Gaia Weiss, Peter Franzen, Romane Libert
World sales : WTFilms
Following a bad encounter, a young woman wakes up in an air duct. She must get out without fal-
ling in the many deadly traps on the way. An unrelenting claustrophobic thriller.
THE SPINE OF NIGHT SWISS PREMIERE
Morgan Galen King & Philip Gelatt, US, 2021, 93’
Cast : Richard E. Grant, Lucy Lawless, Patton Oswalt
World sales: Yellow Veil Pictures
In this ultra-violent, retro-style animated epic – boasting an all-star voice cast – an ancient black
magic falls into the wrong hands and unleashes centuries of suffering upon mankind.
21NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS ULTRA MOVIES VICIOUS FUN SWISS PREMIERE Cody Calahan, CA, 2020, 96’ Cast : Evan Marsh, Amber Goldfarb, Ari Millen World sales : Breakthrough Entertainment A wannabe screenwriter discovers a mutual aid group for serial killers. A misstep that will take him down a spiral of violence. A bloody good comedy. WEREWOLVES WITHIN SWISS PREMIERE Josh Ruben, US, 2021, 97’ Cast : Sam Richardson, Milana Vayntrub, George Basil Distributor : Telepool Gmbh A forest ranger arrives in a small, snow-covered village with eccentric inhabitants. The deadly attack of a mysterious creature quickly brings up the worst in the community. 22
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FORMOSA FANTASTICA
This cross-disciplinary and ebullient cycle will include features and short films, immersive
installations, as well as conferences – a diverse programme that reflects the heterogeneity of the
Taiwanese production and its contemporary renewal. The audience will be able to discover a wealth
of never seen before films through the work of a new generation of genre filmmakers, as well as
large-scale local productions. This programme is held with the support of the Taïwanese Ministry of
Culture, the Taïwan Cultural Center in Paris and Taïwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA).
AS WE LIKE IT SWISS PREMIERE
Chen Hung-i & Wei Ying-chuan, TW, 2021, 107’
Cast : Aggie Hsieh, Puff Kuo, Camille Chalons
World sales : Swallow Wings Films Co.,ltd.
The burgeoning love between Orlando and Rosalind in a futuristic Taipei, free and without Inter-
net. A charming and colourful reimagining of Shakespeare where all the characters are played by
women.
GET THE HELL OUT SWISS PREMIERE
Wang I-fan, TW, 2020, 95’
Cast : Bruce Hung, Megan Lai, Herman du Plessis
Festival contact : Eric Chou
The Taiwanese parliament becomes the scene of a massacre when a virus turns elected officials
into hungry zombies. Politics has never been so deadly!
THE MAGICIAN ON THE SKYWALK EUROPEAN PREMIERE
Yang Ya-che, TW, 2021, 100’
Cast : Kaiser Chuang, Berant Zhu, Edison Song
World sales : Public Television Service Foundation
Taipei, 1985. In the heart of the Chunghua market, a boy is enthralled by the powers of a magician,
the subject of local urban legends. A fascinating and ambitious adaptation of the eponymous
novel.
THE SCOUNDRELS SWISS PREMIERE
Hung Tzu-hsuan, TW, 2018, 105’
Cast : Wu Kang-ren, J.C. Lin, Nikki Hsieh
World sales : Ablaze Image
A disgraced basketball player crosses paths with a dangerous bank robber. An unlikely alliance for
this exhilarating thriller with explosive action choreographies.
23NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS FORMOSA FANTASTICA THE TAG-ALONG SWISS PREMIERE Cheng Wei-hao, TW, 2015, 99’ Cast : Hsu Wei-ning, River Huang, Liu Yin-shang Festival contact : Eric Chou Wei investigates the mysterious disappearance of his grandmother, the victim of a curse. Based on an urban legend, this box-office smash hit revitalized the Taiwanese horror film industry. CONFERENCES THE LANDSCAPE OF GENRE CINEMA IN TAIWAN 03.07, Passage 2, 14h In just a few years, Taiwanese genre movies have taken the spotlight and Taiwan has become a leading country in fantasy films. Meet filmmakers and industry experts to better understand why the island’s production is so dynamic. · Muni Wei, director (AS WE LIKE IT) · Ko Yi-sen, producer (GET THE HELL OUT) · John Hsu, director (DETENTION) · Ryan Cheng, film critic · Therese Yang, programmer, Golden Horse Fantastic Film Festival · Moderator: Wafa Ghermani, Taiwanese cinema specialist LITERATURE OF THE IMAGINARY IN TAIWAN 08.07, Passage 2, 14h Wu Ming-yi and Chi Ta-wei, two major figures of Taiwanese literature, will talk about their works that combine magic realism and science fiction in the light of rich and complementary themes such as global warming, eco-responsibility, cultural identity, and gender/queer theories. · Wu Ming-yi (LE MAGICIEN SUR LA PASSERELLE) · Chi Ta-wei (PERLES, MEMBRANE) · Moderator: Gwennaël Gaffric, Taiwanese literature specialist 24
NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
FORMOSA FANTASTICA SHORTS
AS USUAL DAISY LONG LAND
Liu Kuan-wen Yu Yu Huang Liang-hsin
TW, 2018, 7’ TW, 2018, 10’ TW, 2017, 6’
No dialogue No dialogue No dialogue
SWISS PREMIERE SWISS PREMIERE SWISS PREMIERE
THE WEATHER IS LOVELY WANDER IN THE DARK WHERE AM I GOING?
Lien Chun-chien Redic Hsu Huang Yun-hsien
TW/CN, 2020, 14’ TW, 2016, 15’ TW, 2018, 15’
No dialogue No dialogue No dialogue
SWISS PREMIERE SWISS PREMIERE SWISS PREMIERE
IMMERSIVE INSTALLATIONS
Find the whole XR programme in SAUVAGE EXTENDED (p. 28).
A SONG WITHIN US AN ODE TO MOSS SAMSARA EP. 1
Nayaw Fangas Su Huang Hsin-chien
TW, 2019, 15’ TW, 2020, 6’ TW, 2021, 20’
No dialogue No dialogue No dialogue
SWISS PREMIERE SWISS PREMIERE EUROPEAN PREMIERE
THE GREAT HOAX
John Hsu & Marco Lococo
TW/AR, 2020, 17’
No dialogue
SWISS PREMIERE
25NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
NIFFF 20th EDITION
On the occasion of NIFFF’s 20th edition, a series of «cartes blanches» and conferences, as well
as a publication, will allow us to take a look at fantastic cinema and its evolution over the last
two decades, in parallel with the festival.
CARTES BLANCHES
OLIVIER MÜLLER : HOTEL
Jessica Hausner, AT/DE, 2004, 76’
Cast: Franziska Weisz, Birgit Minichmayr
In the Austrian Alps, a hotel staff member discovers that his predecessor disappeared in strange
circumstances. Was it a simple murder, or are more obscure forces at play here?
PIERRE-YVES WALDER : IT FOLLOWS
David Robert Mitchell, US, 2014, 100’
Cast: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto
An entity passing from one host to the next targets young people giving in to carnal pleasures.
The only way to stay alive is to pass on the curse like an STD. A modern classic.
ANAÏS EMERY : KAJILLIONAIRE
Miranda July, US, 2020, 104’
Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Richard Jenkins, Debra Winger
A couple of con artists have spent 26 years training their only daughter to take up the mantle.
During a hold-up, they persuade a stranger to join them. Their entire world is about to be turned
NIFFF 2000 - 2020 : REPÉRTOIRE DES
IMAGINAIRES
A bilingual book (French and German) will be published specifically for this anniversary edition.
The collector’s item will be composed of many essays, pictures, and documents telling the tale of
the festival since its inception in 2000. Interviews and in-depth articles will recount the NIFFF’s
history, as well as explore the ecosystem of fantastic films and its evolution over the last 20 years.
The guests’ interventions and film screenings will offer the opportunity to go into it in depth.
Infos: CHF 60, available during the festival or online (NIFFF.CH)
26NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
CONFERENCES
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE NEUCHÂTEL 20 ANS D’AGITATION CULTURELLE
04.07, PASSAGE 2, 14:00 – 15:15
As NIFFF celebrates two decades of fantastic films in Neuchâtel, experts and other figures
will discuss the evolution of the genre and its stakes, as well as how the way we perceive and
make such films has changed to the point they have become a major genre of cinema.
• Anaïs Emery, NIFFF cofounder and former director, CH
• Antonin Rousseau, Festi’neuch director, CH
• Violaine Dupasquier, cultural administrator, CH
• Patrice Neuenschwander, City of Neuchâtel former cultural delegate, CH
• Moderator : Michel Vust, NIFFF committee
HOW FANTASTIC FILMS CONQUERED THE WORLD
04.07, PASSAGE 2, 16:00 – 17:00
Since the creation of the NIFFF in 2000, fantasy has mutated to become one of the dominant
genres in the audiovisual industry. Experts and filmmakers shed light on this paradigm shift.
• André Ovredal, filmmaker (TROLLHUNTER, SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK), NO
• Annick Mahnert, programmer, producer and Frontières director, CH
• Grégory Chambet, partner, WTFilms, FR
• Moderator : Pierre-Yves Walder, NIFFF future director, CH
27NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS CARTE BLANCHE TO A SWISS CELEBRITY: MARTIN VETTERLI This year, Martin Vetterli has carte blanche! By choosing three science fiction films, the President of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne invites us to explore his relationship to spectulative fiction. ALPHAVILLE Jean-Luc Godard, FR/IT, 1965, 99’ Cast: Eddie Constantine, Anna Karina, Akim Tamiroff A private investigator arrives in Alphaville, a futuristic city on another planet, ruled by an evil scientist who has outlawed emotions. Godard in all his glory. FAHRENHEIT 451 François Truffaut, UK, 1966, 112’ Cast: Oskar Werner, Julie Christie, Cyril Cusack A book burner rekindles his love for literature and freedom. In François Truffaut’s adaptation, the dystopian world of the cult novel strangely resembles ours. HOMBRE MIRANDO AL SUDESTE Eliseo Subiela, AR, 1986, 105’ Cast: Lorenzo Quinteros, Hugo Soto, Inés Vernengo Rantés, who just got admitted at the asylum, says he has come from another planet to study humans and their behaviour. His designated psychiatrist is fascinated by the alien’s discoveries. 28
NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
SUISSE SSA / SUISSIMAGE SHORT
FILMS COMPETITION
DRUCKABFALL PHLEGM
Andreas Elsener, CH, 2021, 19’ Jan-David Bolt, CH, 2021, 6’
WORLD PREMIERE WORLD PREMIERE
HEXEBÖDELI RISE & SHINE
Adrian Perez, CH, 2020, 12’ Arnaud Baur, CH, 2021, 11’
SWISS PREMIERE WORLD PREMIERE
KINGDOM LE VIGNERON ET LA MORT
Bettina Oberli, CH, 2020, 11’ Victor Jaquier, CH, 2021, 19’
REGIONAL PREMIERE SWISS PREMIERE
LITTLE MISS FATE INTERDIMENSIONAL MELANCHOLY
Joder von Rotz, CH, 2020, 8’ Team Tumult, CH, 2019, 1’
REGIONAL PREMIERE
INTERNATIONAL SHORTS
A STRANGER FROM THE PAST MON AMI QUI BRILLE DANS LA NUIT
Jan Verdijk, NL, 2020, 5’ Grégoire de Bernouis, Jawed Boudaoud,
SWISS PREMIERE Simon Cadilhac, Hélène Ledevin, FR,
2020, 9’
ESCAPING THE FRAGILE PLANET SWISS PREMIERE
Thanasis Tsimpinis, GR, 2020, 17’
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DICKS
REGIONAL PREMIERE
Ilja Rautsi, FI, 2020, 20’
HORRORSCOPE SWISS PREMIERE
Pol Diggler, ES, 2019, 5’
SHOEGAZING
SWISS PREMIERE
Servane d’Alverny, FR/UK, 2021, 13’
SPRÖTCH INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
Xavier Seron, BE, 2020, 20’
SWISS PREMIERE
29NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
NEW SHORTS FROM ASIA
CARNIVOROUS BEAN HOW TO DIE YOUNG IN KIDS ON FIRE
SPROUT MANILA Kyle Nieva, PH, 2020, 19’
Vahid Nami & Navid Nami, Petersen Vargas, PH, 2020, 12’ SWISS PREMIERE
KR, 2021, 5’ SWISS PREMIERE
WORLD PREMIERE
GOLD IS EATING PEOPLE INVISIBLE EYES NIGHT BUS
Su Xia, CN, 2020, 8’ Jung Seung-hee, KR, 2021, 9’ Joe Hsieh, TW, 2020, 20’
SWISS PREMIERE WORLD PREMIERE SWISS PREMIERE
TEMPLE OF DEVILBUSTER
Wang I-fan, TW, 2020’, 24’
SWISS PREMIERE
30NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
AUX FRONTIÈRES DU FANTASTIQUE
Short films programme, CH, 2021, 78’
In the presence of the directors
As part of a workshop on fantasy, students from the Geneva University of Arts and Design
explore myths and folk tales through singular stories that examine the genre’s image.
APRÈS PER VOI OGGI LA LUCE DEL
Louis Gonidec, CH, 2021, 18’ SOL NON SPLENDER
Andrea Bordoli, CH, 2021, 18’
MAX ET LES ÉTRANGES STRAY DOG
Nathan Clément, CH, 2021, 23’ Côme Chatelain, CH, 2021, 19’
TEMPS MORT
Jean-Jacques Lagrange, CH, 1966, 65’
In the presence of the director
As an extension to the roundtable of Wednesday 7th (p. XX), we will screen this fascinating drama
about two scientists that get trapped in a reality where time goes faster.
31NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS SAUVAGE EXTENDED As part of its fruitful collaboration with the Neuchâtel Natural History Museum, the NIFFF is setting up a series of immersive high-tech installations related to the SAUVAGE exhibition, which rethinks the relationships between humans, animals, and nature. ANIMALIA SUM SWISS PREMIERE Bianca Kennedy & The Swan Collective, DE/BR/IS, 2019, 9’ In partnership with Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF) This zany mockumentary imagines a future where insects have become our primary food. A colourful miniature and hand-made world with watercolour painting. HOMINIDAE SWISS PREMIERE Brian Andrews, US, 2020, 6’ In partnership with Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF) In a world of X-rays inhabited by strange creatures, meet the arachnoid hominid, an intelligent human/spider being who fights for its survival and that of its offspring. ANOTHER SHORE WORLD PREMIERE Théo Fischer, Pablo Perez & Hector Fassa, CH, 2021, 15’ This immersive sound installation will take you through ten tales of the future. You will make your own decisions. Which one will change history? Which path will you take? BATVISION WORLD PREMIERE Raffaele Grosjean, Eliane Zihlmann & Oliver Sahli, CH, 2021, 3’ Have you ever wondered how bats see the world? Now you can find out: become one and discover echolocation with your own ultrasounds! AN ODE TO MOSS SWISS PREMIERE SU, TW, 2020, 6’ En collaboration avec Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) Take in the intoxicating music and let yourself drift in this apocalyptic stroll through nature and technology. A sensory piece that offers troubling serenity. 32
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SAUVAGE EXTENDED
A SONG WITHIN US SWISS PREMIERE
Fangas Nayaw, TW/FR, 2019, 15’
In partnership with Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA)
A troupe is rehearsing a native Taiwanese ritual on stage. Sing in unison and rediscover the magic
and spiritual ties humans share with nature.
GREAT HOAX: THE MOON LANDING SWISS PREMIERE
John Hsu & Marco Lococo, TW/AR, 2020, 17’
In partnership with Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA)
The country needs you: be the first Taiwanese astronaut to walk on the Moon! Well, sort of...
Hilarious reimagining of the Kubrick conspiracy theory. A great example of how to make fun of
the politicisation of space.
SAMSARA EP. 1 EUROPEAN PREMIERE
Huang Hsin-chien, TW, 2021, 17’
In partnership with Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA)
A trip through time and space to save the human race from extinction. Prepare to have your
beliefs shaken with this sensory and immersive experience.
33NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
NIFFF EXTENDED
A free complement to the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF), the NIFFF
EXTENDED label is a series of conferences that aim at exploring the future of cinema and the
audiovisual industry. The various topics (digital creation, new information technology,
audiovisual screenwriting, and contemporary literature) make this multidisciplinary forum for
reflection and networking the perfect opportunity to gather about a hundred experts who will
be sharing their vision of what is to come. All conferences will be available in a hybrid format,
on site in Neuchâtel and online.
JULY 5 : IMAGING THE FUTURE
IMMERSIVE STORYTELLING: THE BUZZING HUB OF TAIWAN
Focus on immersive creations from Taiwan • Estela Chen, producer, Serendipity Films
at the MHNN: discover a spellbinding musical • Grace Lee, programmer and producer,
installation, a mystical native ritual, a journey Kaohsiung Film Festival
through time and space, as well as the most epic • Aurélien Dirler, consultant, Taiwan Creative
moon mission... These high calibre experiences Content Agency - TAICCA
will be presented by their creators. • Moderation: Laetitia Bochud, CEO, Virtual
Switzerland
SHOWCASING SAUVAGE EXTENDED PART 1, TAIWANESE XR AT NIFFF
Focus on immersive creations from Taiwan • Huang Hsin-chien, director, SAMSARA EP. 1
at the MHNN: discover a spellbinding musical • François Klein, producer, A SONG WITHIN US
installation, a mystical native ritual, a journey • SU, director, AN ODE TO MOSS
through time and space, as well as the most epic • John Hsu, director, GREAT HOAX: THE MOON
moon mission... These high calibre experiences LANDING
will be presented by their creators.
VIRTUAL PRODUCTION, REAL POSSIBILITIES
The growing virtualisation of production modes • Hasraf ‘HaZ’ Dulull, producer & director
is revolutionizing the film industry. Lucerne- • Claudio Antonelli, artistic director, VRFX
based studio VRFX, British producer and director • Pascal Achermann, CEO, VRFX
Hasraf ‘HaZ’ Dulull, and representatives from • Norbert Kottmann, virtual production
the ZHdK Immersive Arts Space will highlight specialist, Immersive Arts Space, ZHdK
the possibilities offered by virtual production by • Miriam Loertscher, film researcher and media
introducing their projects and work processes. psychologist, ZHdK
34NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
MONTREAL, A LEADING INCUBATOR FOR DIGITAL CREATIVITY
With a strong presence in terms of immersive • Myriam Achard, chief, New Media
installations, video games, digital arts, and Partnerships & PR, Phi Centre
public interactive installations, Quebec is home • Laurence Dolbec, producer, Interactive
to one of the richest ecosystems of digital Studio, National Film Board of Canada – ONF
creativity in the world. Meet major players and • Janicke Morissette, partner and creative
learn more about their experience of the future. director, Silent Partners
• Moderation: Laetitia Bochud, CEO,
Visual Switzerland
JULY 6 : IMAGING THE FUTURE
GODZILLA: FROM PRACTICAL TO DIGITAL EFFECTS
A look at the technical and visual evolution of • Fabien Mauro, film critic and Japanese
the legendary monster franchise, from its first cinema specialist
onscreen iteration in 1954 to today, and the • Volker Engel, VFX supervisor, GODZILLA,
1998 transitional landmark, a critical step in INDEPENDENCE DAY
going from analogue to digital.
EXPLORING THE GROUNDBREAKING TRIOSCOPE TECHNOLOGY
Noticed for its aesthetics, the Netflix show THE • Katarzyna Jarzyna, producer, JUICE
LIBERATOR will be the subject of a case study. • Marko Zari, VFX supervisor, JUICE
The producer and the VFX supervisor from
Polish studio Juice will discuss the innovative
Trioscope technology and its potential for
audio-visual productions.
SHOWCASING SAUVAGE EXTENDED:
PART 2, SWISS AND INTERNATIONAL XR AT NIFFF
Spotlight on two Swiss experiences at the MHNN • Théo Fischer, Pablo Perez & Hector Fassa
and on the works presented in collaboration creators, ANOTHER SHORE
with the Geneva International Film Festival • Eliane Zihlmann & Raffaele Grosjean,
(GIFF). The installations include becoming a bat, creators, BATVISION
discovering multiple stories from the future, an • Paola Gazzani Marinelli, programmer,
arachnoid hominid, and a mockumentary about Geneva International Film Festival - GIFF
the world of insects.
35NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
JULY 7 : STORYWORLDS
WHAT SCIENCE FOR THE FICTION?
Some technologies seem to have been born • Marc Atallah, director, Maison d’Ailleurs
out of sci-fi ideas, and in a pandemic-ridden • Max Monti, Innovation & Tech Transfer
world that has just been reminded of how manager, HE-Arc
close tales of the future can be to reality, the • André-Serge Porret, vice president,
dialogue between science and fiction is more integrated and wireless systems, CSEM
productive than ever. Which one influences the Neuchâtel
other? Scientific and literary experts give you • Sylvie Lainé, author
an overview.
FRENCH GENRE SERIES: THE BEGINNING OF A NEW WAVE?
French-speaking genre series have become • Marie Enthoven, writer and showrunner,
popular over the last few years, partially INVISIBLE
because of the emergence of new distribution • Nicolas Peufaillit, writer, LES REVENANTS,
channels and the democratisation of the INVISIBLE, CAID, UN PROPHETE
fantasy genre. Meet the new generation of • Charlotte Sanson, writer and showrunner,
screenwriters involved in this revolution. 7 VIES DE LEA
• Moderation: Nicolas Dufour, journalist,
Le Temps
WHEN TÉLÉVISION SUISSE ROMANDE WAS EXPLORING SCI-FI
Most probably encouraged by the international • Jean-Jacques Lagrange, Filmmaker
success of science fiction in the 1950s, the • Moderation : Didier Bufflier, Restorer and
Télévision Suisse Romande TV network ArchiveLab manager, Data and Archives
repeatedly won renown for its own attempts Department, RTS
well into the 1980s. Jean-Jacques Lagrange,
pioneer of the RTS and member of the Groupe 5,
will honour us with a retelling of his experiences
alongside restorer Didier Bufflier, who managed
to locate these archival gems.
36NIFFF NIFFF EXTENDED NIFFF INVASION INFOS
JULY 8 : NEW WORLDS OF FANTASY
LITERATURE OF THE IMAGINARY IN TAIWAN
Wu Ming-yi and Chi Ta-wei, two major figures of • Wu Ming-yi, author, L’HOMME AUX YEUX
Taiwanese literature, will talk about their works À FACETTES, LE MAGICIEN SUR LA
that combine magic realism and science fiction PASSERELLE
in the light of rich and complementary themes • Chi Ta-wei, author, MEMBRANE, PERLES
such as global warming, eco-responsibility, • Moderation & translation: Gwennaël Gaffric,
cultural identity, and gender/queer theories. translator, editor and specialist in Taiwanese
literature
SAUVAGE: HOW CAN IMAGINATION SHAPE REALITY?
As part of the SAUVAGE exhibition and in • Frederik Peeters, comic book author, OLEG,
collaboration with the MHNN, this roundtable SACCAGE, A MA, LUPUS
invites artists and researchers to discuss • Yannick Rumpala, lecturer in political
the links between sciences, storytelling, and science at University of Nice, author,
behaviours in order to highlight the relationships HORS DES DECOMBRES DU MONDE,
between humans, their natural environment, CYBERPUNK’S NOT DEAD: LABORATOIRE
and the animal kingdom. D’UN FUTUR ENTRE TECHNOCAPITA
LISME ET POST-HUMANITÉ)
• Antoine Jaquier, author, SIMILI-LOVE
• Moderation: Boris Bruckler, librarian &
curator
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