When festival partners in one country decide to partner up, it might boost the national effect. Switzerland has recently made a sound children’s film policy a working point, which is now reflecting itself in the festival landscape. Three Swiss festivals – the Castellinaria festival in Bellinzona, the Zoomz Festival in Lucerne and the Festival Jeune Public in Lausanne – have joined forces in the KIDS FILM FORUM.
For the first time in Switzerland, meetings on film creation for young audiences will be facilitated during industry days in the country’s three language regions. These events are grouped under the name KIDS FILM FORUM and are hosted by three ECFA festivals: Zoomz, Lucerne; Castellinaria, Bellinzona; and Jeune Public, Lausanne. “KIDS FILM FORUM is a meeting place for film professionals who are passionate about producing films and series for young audiences. By bringing together national and international industry professionals, we create a space where ideas can be exchanged and new collaborations created.”
Each of the three festivals has a different industry focus. Festival Castellinaria has a special eye for animation. Their Industry Day (18/11) should create synergies between authors and industry representatives and will explore the distribution of children’s animated films. The programme includes a Pitching Lab and a conference. More info here.

The Zoomz Festival (12/11) in Luzern will focus on documentary production for young audiences, because: “Documentary film has a long tradition in Switzerland and Swiss documentary films have an excellent international reputation. However, hardly any projects are realised for the young target audience in this country. Why is that?” Answers might be provided through a case study about the project WITH GRACE (by Dina Mwende – in development) and through several input sessions. More info here.
The Festival Jeune Public in Lausanne will dedicate its Industry Day (22/11) to fiction film for children, with a particular focus on the scriptwriting process. Among the speakers is Claude Barras, director of SAVAGES and MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI. More info here.
We congratulate our Swiss colleagues on their inspiring cooperation, and wish them a fruitful series of Industry Events.