As the only Swiss festival dedicated to genre films, the NIFFF attracts all who take interest in the power of the imagination and innovations.

Created in 2000, the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) has rapidly become an unmissable event for film lovers. Its prestigious programme has ensured it a national and international presence. This event is mainly dedicated to one genre — that is fantasy, or fantastic films. Asian cinema and digital creation are the two additional topics that complete the picture.

CONCEPT

The encompassing, pluridisciplinary vision that defines the fantastic films selected at the NIFFF have made the festival an internationally recognised centre of excellence and innovation. This has allowed us to develop an innovative approach to the cinema of the imagination.

POSITIONING

The NIFFF possesses a strong and unique identity in Switzerland and everywhere else. The festival and its 3 labels — NIFFF EXTENDED "the future of cinema", NIFFF INVASION "a pluridisciplinary approach to fantasy for everyone", and NIFFF ON TOUR "visionary worlds of fiction" have become staples for industry professionals, audiences and the next generation of Swiss filmmakers alike.

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The 57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is the largest film festival in the Czech Republic and the most prestigious such festival in Central and Eastern Europe. It is one of the oldest A-list film festivals (i.e., non-specialized festivals with a competition for feature-length fiction films), a category it shares with the festivals in Cannes, Berlin, Venice, San Sebastian, Moscow, Montreal, Shanghai, and Tokyo. Among filmmakers, buyers, distributors, sales agents, and journalists, KVIFF is considered the most important event in all of Central and Eastern Europe.

Every year, the festival presents some 200 films from around the world, and regularly hosts famous and important filmmakers. The Karlovy Vary festival is intended for both film professionals and the general public, and offers visitors a carefully designed programme, excellent facilities and a broad range of other services.

The first year of one of the world's oldest film festivals was in 1946 in Mariánské Lázně. The festival moved to Karlovy Vary in 1947, and the following year the festival became competitive, awarding its first Crystal Globe. In 1956, the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) officially designated Karlovy Vary a category A festival.

The Karlovy Vary festival spent 40 years operating under political pressures in socialist Czechoslovakia. In 1994, a new team headed by well-known Czech actor Jiří Bartoška and leading film journalist Eva Zaoralová took over the festival's organization and decided to reshape the stagnating festival into a film forum deserving of international attention. In just a few years, the new programming and organizational approach implemented by Bartoška and Zaoralová helped the festival regain its previous level of prestige and win back the interest of film professionals and the general public.

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Since its establishment in 2004, FEST has quickly become one of the leading showcases of groundbreaking films by emerging filmmakers, as well as a platform for international film professionals, up-and-coming and established alike, to come together to present their work, develop their skills and create synergies.

Set in the coastal resort town of Espinho, Portugal, FEST presents a selection of feature and short films and an extensive industry program that includes masterclasses, workshops, debates, roundtables, case studies; a development and co-production event and more - featuring the most promising new talents from around the globe, as well as some of the biggest names in world cinema, industry thought leaders, decision-makers and experts.

Among our past guests are Asghar Farhadi, Béla Tarr, Fernando Trueba, Melissa Leo, Martin Walsh, Joe Walker, Ed Lachman, Tom Stern, Finola Dwyer, Allan Starski, Eugenio Caballero, Iain Smith, David Macmillan, just to name a few.

FEST's 18th edition will be happening from the 20th to the 27th of June 2022.

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ZLÍN FILM FESTIVAL is the oldest and largest film festival of its kind in the world.  This is a significant international event which has an excellent reputation and holds lots of respect.  The festival screenings are conducted not only in Zlin, but also in many other towns in the Czech Republic.  Each year the festival presents around 300 films from more than 50 countries around the world.  Since 2010 festival attendance has exceeded 95,000 children and adults. The mission and goal of the ZLÍN FILM FESTIVAL is the presentation of contemporary world film for children and youth in the Czech Republic as well as an exhibition of Czech films. An important aspect of the festival is not only the effort to entertain young audiences, but to also – through film – to educate, expand their awareness of the outside world, and develop esthetic, social and moral perceptions.

The Zlín Film Festival is an active member of the European Children's Film Association.  ZFF organizes an extensive supporting, professional and charitable program.

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The Nippon Connection Film Festival is the biggest platform for Japanese cinema worldwide and takes place annually on six days in early summer at Künstlerhaus Mousonturm, NAXOS, Cinema of the DFF – Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum, Eldorado Arthouse Cinema, Mal Seh'n cinema and other locations in Frankfurt am Main. The unique film and cultural program covers a wide range of events, including both traditional and modern aspects of Japanese culture. The 23rd Nippon Connection Film Festival takes place from June 6 to 11, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main.

In 2022, more than 17,400 visitors attended the festival events in presence and online. The festival was founded in 2000 and is mainly organized on a voluntary basis by the non-profit Nippon Connection registered association. In 2022, the festival was under the patronage of Angela Dorn, Hessian Minister for Science and Art, the Mayor of the City of Frankfurt am Main, and the Consulate General of Japan in Frankfurt am Main.

The Film Program

Japan is one of the most innovative and diverse film countries in the world. Every year, the Nippon Connection Festival presents a cross section of current Japanese film production with around 100 films, from short films and documentaries to animated and feature films, including many German, European, and international premieres.

Numerous directors, actors, and producers attend the festival every year, introducing their films in person.

The festival presents five awards: the Nippon Honor Award, the Nippon Cinema Award, the Nippon Visions Jury Award, the Nippon Visions Audience Award, and the Nippon Docs Award.

The Supporting Program

At the Nippon Connection Festival, one can get to know Japanese culture in all its facets. The Nippon Culture section offers more than 50 events, from tea ceremony, cooking classes, shiatsu massage, performances, and exhibitions to workshops, lectures, panel discussions, concerts, karaoke, and a special kids' program.

Culinary delights are also included: At several bars and food stalls, the visitors can try Japanese drinks, sushi, ramen, and other delicacies. Moreover, sales booths offer a wide variety of books, films, and craftwork.

Press Comments

"The most important overview show of Japanese cinema outside Japan has long been one of the most important German festivals. On a list of the hundred most important international film events published by the London Raindance Festival, there are only three German festivals at all: Instead of Munich or Hamburg, they recommend the Frankfurt Japan Festival, which every year succeeds in reflecting the enormous range of this unique film country." Daniel Kothenschulte, Frankfurter Rundschau, June 13, 2020

"As the film festival with the highest attendance in the Rhein-Main region, Nippon Connection sets new records every year." Claus Wecker, Strandgut - Das Kulturmagazin, May 2018

"The definitive 'place to be' for everyone who wants to discover Japanese culture and especially exciting updates from Japanese cinema." Deadline, May 11, 2017

"What's the best place on the planet for catching up on the entire range of contemporary Japanese cinema, from experimental shorts to commercial hits? My candidate is Nippon Connection (...)" - Mark Schilling, The Japan Times, May 18, 2016

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In 2021 in total, there were more than 2,700 films submitted to participate in the Official Competition, 85 online Mifa events and 74 Festival events were organised, 240 on-site screenings and more than 12,897 hours were viewed by our badge holders.

After a year online, the Festival continued to reinvent itself by offering an unprecedented format adapted to the pandemic situation. This hybrid format rose to the challenge of creating both a physical and virtual event to bring all animation enthusiasts and professionals together.

A "battle", as its CEO Mickaël Marin described this edition, that brought together almost 8,500 badgeholders on-site for half of them or online. Despite the continuing unstable health situation, professionals from 96 countries and the local public could finally celebrate this eagerly-awaited 60th anniversary, which was postponed from last year.

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Founded in 2002, in the town of Cluj-Napoca, Transilvania IFF has grown rapidly to become the most important film-related event in Romania and one of the most spectacular annual events in the region. It is supported by the Creative Europe - MEDIA Programme and in 2011, Transilvania IFF was accredited by the FIAPF, which places it among the 40 most important festivals in the world.

Transilvania IFF's main goal is the promotion of cinematic art by presenting some of the most innovative and spectacular films of the moment that feature both originality and independence of expression, that reflect unusual cinematic language forms or focus on current trends in youth culture. Dedicated to 1st and 2nd time directors, the Official Competition focuses on discovering new voices.
The Transilvania IFF experience means an exciting and intriguing selection, picturesque locations such as castles or open air museums, cine-concerts in churches, educational platforms for young audiences, solid industry programs, and a consistent focus on the future of audio-visual content.
 
Personalities
 
Over the years, Transilvania IFF's Lifetime Achievement Award has been presented to important figures of European and worldwide cinema, including Nicolas Cage, Alain Delon, Sophia Loren, Fanny Ardant, Nastassja Kinski, Jiří Menzel, Debra Winger, Claude Lelouch, Geraldine Chaplin, Wim Wenders, Marin Karmitz, Jacqueline Bisset, Michael York, Catherine Deneuve, Claudia Cardinale, Annie Girardot, Udo Kier, Vanessa Redgrave, Nicolas Roeg and Franco Nero.
 
TIFF Industry
 
After years of continuous work in promoting Romanian cinema and welcoming international guests to meet national productions and their filmmakers, in 2015, the festival rounded up its industry activities under one umbrella. TIFF Industry is open for talents from the region through Transilvania Pitch Stop (TPS) - a tailor made workshop for feature fiction films wrapping up with a public presentation and one to one meetings, and Transilvania Talent Lab (TTL) - the hands-on programme dedicated to emerging talents. TIFF Industry hosts a series of masterclasses, lining-up experts in audience development and script writing, and organizes closed screenings for industry members and special screenings of the newest Romanian films, in the presence of filmmakers.
 
Previously, the festival hosted the launch of the new platform #FEEDback (Film Eastern Europe Dialogue, 2015), regional editions of The Pitch, in partnership with ShortsTV, and LIM (Less Is More), the European platform for project development of limited budget feature films created by Le Groupe Ouest.

Education

The festival also developed a strong educational platform for children, through EducaTIFF (awarded Best Educational Project in Romania, at Education Awards Gala, 2011 edition), and teenagers, through Let's Go Digital! The intensive workshop gives teenagers the opportunity to cover all the steps of filmmaking under the supervision of film professionals and using modern equipment.

TIFF Unlimited

Unlimited.tiff.ro, launched in 2019, is the first streaming service (SVoD) launched by a film festival in Romania and the only product of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe. The platform gives access to acclaimed auteur driven productions, arthouse gems, genre films.
 
InfiniTIFF
 
The festival has initiated a platform for new forms of audio-visual storytelling that connects cinema lovers and artists with cutting edge development in virtual reality and interactive cinema.
 
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Krakow Film Festival is one of the oldest events in the world dedicated to documentary, animated and short feature films. It core consists of three competitions of equal rank: documentary film competition, short film competition and national competition. During the eight festival days, the viewers have a chance to watch about 250 films from Poland and from around the world. They are shown in competition sections and in special screenings. The festival is accompanied by exhibitions, concerts, open-air shows and meetings with artists. Every year, the festival is visited by approximately 900 Polish and international guests: directors, producers, festival programmers and numerous Krakow audience.

Over the years, not only the event's programme changed, but also the standing of the festival itself. The importance of the Krakow Film Festival is asserted by the fact that it belongs to a prestigious group of festivals accredited by, among others, International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), European Film Academy (EFA) and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Thanks to that it is the only Academy Awards documentary feature films qualifying festival and one of the two Academy Awards short films qualifying festivals in Poland. Krakow Film Festival is also among renowned festivals recommending short films and feature documentary films for the European Film Awards.

It is in Krakow where the eminent Polish documentary film makers began their careers: Krzysztof Kieślowski, Wojciech Wiszniewski, Andrzej Fidyk and Marcel Łoziński. It was here where the great authors of Polish animated films made themselves known to the world: Ryszard Czekała, Jerzy Kucia, Julian Antoniszczak, Piotr Dumała and Zbigniew Rybczyński, the winner of the Academy Award for his film "Tango". In the international competitions, apart from recognised documentary and animated film makers, many other artists participated and won the festival laurels, including the ones whose names are widely known in the world of feature film: Pier Paolo Pasolini, Werner Herzog, Zoltán Huszarik, Jaromil Jireś, Claude Lelouch, Patrice Leconte, Mike Leigh, as well as the winner of the Academy Award —Jan Svěrák.

The history of Krakow Film Festival reaches back to 1961, when it was still called Polish Short Film Festival, and presented the achievements of the native cinema. Three years later, the international festival was added to the Polish festival, and the event changed from a nation-wide one into an event of international standing. In 1998, for the first time the award for lifetime achievement in documentary and short film, called the Dragon of Dragons award, was given. In 2001, the festival's name itself was changed, and since then, it functions as Krakow Film Festival, whose subsequent editions are held at the turn of May and June.

In 2007, in addition to two previously existing competitions — the national and international ones, the third competition appeared for the first time, namely, the competition including ten of the best feature-length documentary films (currently, 10 medium-length and 10 feature-length documentary films). However, the popularity of the section "Sounds of Music" inspired the organisers to organize a new competition in 2013 – 2020 — the music documentary competition DocFilmMusic.

Within a few years, many new offers appeared in the festival programme. Since 2006, the festival is accompanied by Krakow Film Market, dedicated to film industry professionals. Every year, there are numerous non-competing screenings, which have already managed to take root in the festival schedule, such as "World Stories", "Somewhere in Europe", "Festival Award Winners", "Sounds of Music", "Panorama of the Polish Films", "Short Matters!", "Music Video Night", "Student Etudes Night", "Kids&Youth", "Doc+Science".

Within the frames of the festival, there are also concerts and exhibitions and numerous debates and meetings with film makers and representatives of the partner film festivals (among others, from Leeds, Jihlava, Uppsala, Chinese Guanghzou, Tampere, Stuttgart, Leipzig, Kiev and Berlin).

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VIENNA SHORTS is the international short film festival in Vienna that annually in spring makes around 300 films from all over the world accessible to the audience and the international industry in the best possible way – whether in the cinema or in the museum, whether in digital or virtual space.

The festival is a qualifying event for the Austrian Film Award, the British Film Award BAFTA, the European Film Award and the Oscars® and is one of two EU-funded film festivals in Austria. It is active in numerous international collaborations and was honored in 2014 with the Bank Austria Art Prize, the highest endowed award for art and cultural organisations in Austria.

VIENNA SHORTS (until 2016: Vienna Independent Shorts) was launched and is still run by the non-profit organization INDEPENDENT CINEMA in 2003 with the aim of presenting independent films and promoting talent. The association organizes film screenings, mediation programs and short film events throughout the year and has been based in the creative cluster Q21 in Vienna's MuseumsQuartier since 2007.

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Since June 2018, "Un Soir...Un Grain" has launch the BRIFF, which aims to bring together audiences and professionals around feature films and to make Brussels a key event in the international festival calendar.

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Queer East is an LGBTQ+ film festival that showcases rarely-seen queer cinema from East and Southeast Asia. Seeking to amplify the voices of Asian communities in the UK, the festival explores the forces that have shaped the current queer landscape in Asia, and aims to encourage more inclusive narratives. The third edition of Queer East Film Festival takes place in London from 18 to 29 May 2022.

Recent global events, from Covid-19-related anti-Asian attacks once again reminded us how vital fair and authentic racial and sexual representation is for our society. Film is one of the most direct and accessible mediums able to shine a light on issues and situations that people just weren't aware of before.

By showing films that people might not otherwise get a chance to see, we can provide a platform for under-represented Asian and diasporic communities to share their history, stories and what it means to be Asian and queer today. Advancing LGBTQ+ rights requires a collective approach, and we think it is important that Queer East plays a part in this, as a joint force together with many other allies. Together, we can work on tackling the inequalities both outside and within the LGBTQ+ communities, and ensure the full diversity of the queer community is well reflected through the power of cinema.

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The Festival of Human Rights Film is an initiative that is part of the San Sebastian, Space for the Culture of Peace project. The aim is to promote greater awareness, as well as encourage debate and provide greater information to citizens about human rights, by promoting, through the cinema and other cultural and artistic expressions, the values of solidarity, respect for life, peace, freedom and social justice, among other things.

Feature Films Official Selection

A selection of feature films and documentaries, movies for kids and youths, aimed at making spectators aware of the need to protect human rights. A sample of some of the year's most important titles, all candidates for the Audience Award to the Best Feature Film.

Short Films Official Selection

A selection of international shorts on any human rights-related subject to one of which 150 youngsters will be granted with the Youth Award for the Best Short Film (€3,000).

Amnesty International Award

A jury consisting of members of Amnesty International and professionals from the audiovisual world will grant to a feature film the Amnesty International Award.

Other activities

Every year a variety of parallel activities completes the Festival film programme, like exhibitions, musical performances, dance and roundtables.

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IndieLisboa International Film Festival focuses on the exhibition of works that fill the void of film circulation shaped by the mainstream production and exhibition dominating the market. Every year, showing more than 270 films, IndieLisboa attracts audiences and film professionals from all over the globe by giving them the opportunity to discover recent films from emerging talents and to rediscover reputed authors. The festival sections also comprise themed programs, shining a light on relevant affairs, aiming for a conceptually and geographically diverse selection.

IndieLisboa's main sections are competitive programs composed by world, international or national premieres. With few exceptions, all selected films have their national presentation at the festival. IndieJunior, the children/youth section of the festival, is crucial for boosting local film literacy levels in this range of public and for the shaping of new audiences. The festival also aims to draw a spotlight on the discovery of Portuguese recent films through its national competitions and industry-oriented activities.

IndieLisboa is also a festival that focuses on a program designed specifically for the industry (audience of film professionals, filmmakers, producers, sales agents, programmers, critics, etc.). This industry core, parallel to the screenings program, is composed of workshops, masterclasses, debates, a script-writing lab, a film fund, a pitching forum, screenings of works in progress and also several networking events, among other activities. The industry center is consistently and continuously expanding, actively contributing to the dynamics of a more diverse film exhibition and distribution network.

Competitive Sections
International Competition

Section presenting first, second and third works never publicly shown in Portugal. These films were finalized in the year in which the festival takes place or in the previous year. In this section, feature and short films compete in separate programmes.

National Competition

The National Competition brings together Portuguese feature and short films that have, for the most part, their world premiere at the festival.

Silvestre

Showing works by young filmmakers and renowned authors, this section finds the norm in its singularity. Under the wing of Silvestre we have shown works that reject consecrated formulas, which awaken new languages ��and whose rebellion mirrors the spirit of the festival.

Brand new

Competitive section comprising films by Portuguese young filmmakers. Some directed their film in a school context; others were fearless enough to direct a first film regardless of any support. Portuguese cinema continues to affirm surprising new voices that the festival wants to support and show.

IndieMusic

The link between film and music is at the epicentre of this competitive section. IndieMusic embraces films about musicians and bands from around the world, often immersing themselves in the historical, political and social contexts that accompany musical movements. These little revolutions find a mirror in the night programming of concerts and parties – IndiebyNight.

IndieJúnior

This key section of the festival is dedicated to younger viewers. IndieJunior aims to contribute to the aesthetical and cultural education of children and youngsters through an artistic and playful experience, differentiated from their habitual consumption of moving images, whether on television or in the commercial cinema circuit. Film programming is complemented by a set of workshops, cultural activities and creative spaces especially designed for the little ones, their families and schools.

Other Sections
Retrospectives

Retrospective section dedicated to looking at the past of cinema, providing rediscoveries that contribute significantly to the enrichment of the contemporary gaze.

Director's Cut

New films that plunge into the memory of cinema as its main inspiration and films that rework the cinematographic visual heritage. The section unfolds in a Director's Cut In Context, featuring works in which the heritage of those who made the history of cinema is materialized.

Mouth of Madness

This section presents films that tear language and genre boundaries without taboos. Disconcerting films, controversial themes, and works that are best understood (and digested) under the sign of midnight.

Special Screenings

This section comprises the opening film, the closing film and other theatrical releases and thematic programmes.

IndieByNight

During all the days of the festival, the official themed party known as IndieByNight happen, always with a strong connection to the films of the IndieMusic section.

LisbonTalks

IndieLisboa's parallel activities, which include masterclasses, talks, meetings and classes, are a space open to critical discussion, reflection, learning and reformulation of ideas around the cinematic practices and the Portuguese and international professional environment.

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The 52nd edition of the Festival has been rethought as a digital version to provide the public and professionals with a privileged access to the audacious and singular works selected this year.

Every day, new films will be made accessible online for 72 hours, subject to availability (500 viewings per film). The films will be geolocated in Switzerland and launched according to a programme schedule at three points during the day. The public will be able to choose between one-off access (CHF 5) or an unlimited pass at a special rate (CHF 25).

It will be possible to buy tickets or an unlimited pass from April 14th on our website.

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The UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF) is the longest running South Asian film festival in the world produced by Tongues on Fire Limited. Founded in 1999 by Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry MBE and Mrs Harvinder Nath, UKAFF is internationally recognised for showcasing the work of acclaimed talent in cinema and award-winning filmmakers.

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