SECTIONS & AWARDS 2023

competitions

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE COMPETITION

A selection of ten feature films that turn stylistic conventions upside down and pave the way for the cinema of tomorrow. The titles, all Swiss premieres, compete for the Reflet d’Or with a cash prize worth CHF 10,000 (donated by the City and State of Geneva) awarded by a Jury composed of a renowned filmmaker accompanied by film students.

INTERNATIONAL SERIES COMPETITION

An exclusive Swiss window on the best international TV series, which GIFF has been reporting for more than 25 years. The competition of ten hand-picked pilots, showcases the innovation potential of the most popular and dynamic format in contemporary audiovisual media. An inclusive Jury composed entirely by five festivalgoers rewards the best series with the Reflet d’Or worth CHF 10,000 (donated by the City and State of Geneva).

International Immersive experience Competition 

A pioneer in the field of digital arts, since 2016 GIFF has offered an International Immersive experience Competition. An exceptional selection of XR experiences in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) that explores the rich connections between narrative and technology. Presented in national or international premiere, the selected works compete for the Reflet d’Or worth CHF 10,000 (donated by the City and State of Geneva) awarded by a Jury of international experts.

FUTURE IS SENSIBLE AWARD

A convergent and competitive section dedicated to social, ecological and technological foresight, featuring dystopian series, science-fiction movies and XR works and exploratory technologies that question ethical choices and their impact on the future. The Future Is Sensible Award, endowed with CHF 10,000, is given by a Jury of three International personalities active in the audiovisual field and creative industries for a production that stands out for its humanism, ethical dimension and positive impact on the future, among a dozen international projects.

TRIBUTES & HONOR AWARDS

FILM & BEYOND

Each year, the Film & Beyond Award personally recognizes an interdisciplinary artist for his or her entire career, presented in the form of a retrospective. GIFF has had the honor of distinguishing the filmmakers Apichatpong Weerasethakul (2016), Abel Ferrara (2017), Peter Greenaway (2018), Park Chan-wook (2019), Woodkid (2020), Riad Sattouf (2021) and Alexandre Astier (2022).

GENEVA AWARD

This award recognizes the careers of personalities who have inspired their contemporaries through their artistic choices and the courage of their opinions. A tribute accompanied by a retrospective program such as the one dedicated to the Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan (first winner in 2019), the Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (2020, the Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino (2021), and the Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn (2022).

CONVERGENT SECTIONS & RETROSPECTIVES (OUT OF COMPETITION)

HIGHLIGHTS

The section of all the major events of the Festival featuring numerous film previews, the most eagerly awaited series of the year, complete series by prestigious authors, world premieres of Swiss series, state-of-the-art digital installations and unique immersive works.

PULSATION

A selection of film, serial or digital projects that gauge the pulse of contemporary creation and point to the emergence of new authors or trends.

SIGHT & SOUND

Artistic evenings and performances – linking sound and image – given by trailblazing or pioneer artists in performing and visual arts (Stephan Eicher, Asia Argento, Pascal Greco, Dee Nasty, Odezenne, Chloé, etc.).

POP TV

At a time when people are speculating about the future of linear television, GIFF offers an unprecedented immersion in the history of the medium. Spread over several editions, Pop TV will trace – for better or for worse – the evolution of the contents that have fomented our popular culture from our living rooms. Series, movies and mythical shows will make you relive or discover the anteroom of the aesthetics that have influenced contemporary audiovisual. 

TALES OF SWISS INNOVATION

A carte blanche and a masterclass is offered to a Swiss personality who has contributed significantly to the advancement of the audiovisual industry in the fields of storytelling, imaging, production or broadcasting.