Parallel sections

A classic genre interpreted by different cultures

Mothers were rarely main characters in films made before World
War II. Post-war, however, they found themselves elevated to hero status on screen because of the critical role they had played, and have always played during times of crisis, in keeping the world afloat. Today, maternal figures are a much more visible presence, so too are stories of their feminist battles and fight for emancipation. The FIFF team was struck by the number of recent mother-centred films from around the world. Perhaps a subtle nod to the “mother of FIFF”, who founded the Festival 40 editions ago.

A genre through the eyes of the public

Six years ago, FIFF introduced a new section as a thank you to the public for its support during the pandemic. The principle is simple: you vote for your five favourites from a list of 50 classic films on the Genre Cinema section theme. Once again, nearly 300 of you cast your vote this year. Your choices, which include The Piano, Psycho, Volver, Fargo and Incendies, make the FIFF team all the more determined to remain the only film festival in the world that allows the audience to curate part of its programme. Contrary to widespread elitist prejudice, the public has excellent taste.

A treat for movie-loving families

The shared thrill of the new, discovering faraway cultures together and leaving the world of western film production behind: this is exactly what FIFF’s Make it Family Time section offers. With a great choice of age-appropriate animation and live-action films, families can travel to Brazil, China, Colombia, Iran, Mongolia and the Czech Republic. What they will find there are exciting, instructive stories full of derring-do, challenges, resistance or courage that will amaze everyone.

Focus on a societal, political, cultural, or historical issue

The first edition of what would become FIFF took place in 1980. It was the brainchild of Magda Bossy, the then head of Helvetas in Frenchspeaking Switzerland, who wanted to stage an event to mark the NGO’s 25th anniversary. Powered by her belief in film as a powerful medium for showcasing global cultural diversity, the Egyptian-born “mother of FIFF” created a platform to showcase films from the Global South. The 40th edition will show why Fribourg was and remains the ideal host for this window on world cinema by screening five of the seven films from the inaugural edition, and will hear from eyewitnesses to this miraculous birth.

In collaboration with

A celebration of a decisive contribution to cinematic history

The decision by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) to cease funding for Swiss institutions which support and promote emerging filmmakers impacts not only FIFF but also Locarno and distributor trigon-film. In addition, the film production fund visions sud est (VSE) will close. Since 2005, VSE has supported over 200 films. By way of tribute, the 40th edition of FIFF will screen five of its greatest successes. Even before VSE funding kickstarted the careers of the creatives behind these productions, some of their short films (also on the programme) had already been screened at FIFF.

Discovery of a new or little-known cinematography

Colombian cinema has changed profoundly over the past 20 years. A new generation is now telling a different version of their country’s story without fear or favour. They are turning their cameras on territories long overlooked, people like the indigenous and Afro-descendant communities previously rendered invisible, and languages once silenced. They are inventing their own idioms, finding new subjects and rewriting existing narratives. These 10 features and six shorts paint a sensitive portrait of a country in transition and capture the sense of urgency, rebellion and vigour of contemporary Colombian cinema.

En collaboration avec

Carte blanche to the personality chosen by the FIFF and the University of Fribourg

New: the Sur la carte de... section, which was introduced in 2012, is now the Fribourg Cinema Award. The new prize was created jointly by FIFF and the University of Fribourg and reflects their shared values in recognising an “outstanding contribution to the world through the art of cinema”. The award recipient will share their favourite films and, in a first for film festivals, receive an honorary degree. The Festival, the University rectorate and several faculty heads have unanimously chosen the winner of the inaugural award: Kaouther Ben Hania, the Tunisian director of the deeply moving The Voice of Hind Rajab.

In collaboration with

Avec le soutien de

Faculté des lettres et sciences humaines, Unifr