Once again this year, the Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF) is highlighting Swiss audiovisual production, with several Swiss (co)productions featured across several Festival sections, including the International Feature Competition (Les Indes by Nicolas Chapoulier and Pauline Julier), the International Immersive Experience Competition (Captures by Geneva-based studio Structurals and Owelle, Sunset Motel by Gilles Jobin), the Future Is Sensible Competition (Res Natura by Mélanie Courtinat and Julien Mercier) and the Highlights section (Frank & Louis by Petra Volpe, Virages by Céline Carridroit and Aline Suter, Placée by Léa Fazer, and Future Frontiers by François Moncarey and Grègór Belibi Minya). More than ever, this spotlight on Swiss production reflects its remarkable vitality. Through both the diversity of the forms explored and the plurality of the narratives presented, the works programmed at the Festival demonstrate the ability of Swiss artistic production to shift perspectives and engage with contemporary digital worlds in original ways. For the third consecutive year, Swiss creation will also be honored with the Swiss Series Storytelling Award, awarded to the best Swiss documentary series, while Tales of Swiss Innovation 2026 will be dedicated to Exit Void.

The full program comes out on October 8. Until then, the Early Bird Pass is still available at CHF 110 instead of CHF 165.

FOUR FILMS AND SERIES, WITH THEIR TEAMS

LES INDES

Nicolas Chapoulier, Pauline Julier | 2026 | CH, ES | 81′
With Lazare Minoungou, Raphaël Thiéry, Théo Urtubey
Swiss Premiere, International Feature Competition

In the mid-17th century, three men set out on a perilous journey through inhospitable lands to deliver the portrait of the Infanta of Spain to her future husband: the young Louis XIV.
The first fiction feature by Geneva filmmakers Nicolas Chapoulier and Pauline Julier, which had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival. With the filmmakers in attendance.

FRANK & LOUIS

Petra Volpe | 2026 | CH, GB | 96′
With Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rob Morgan
Romandy Premiere, Highlights section

A prison in the United States. Frank volunteers to care for other inmates, particularly Louis, who has Alzheimer’s. In her first feature film in English, director Petra Volpe explores the humanity within the shadows of the criminal justice system.
The film won the Audience Award at the Locarno Film Festival. The director will be present for a conversation with the audience, for one of the only screenings she will attend in Switzerland.

VIRAGES

Céline Carridroit, Aline Suter | 2026 | CH, FR | 91′
With Johanna Schopfer
Swiss Premiere, Highlights section

Johanna, a Geneva based woman who is as carefree as she is charismatic, decides to restore her old Beetle. A refreshing, whimsical escapade through the city of Calvin.
Selected for ACID at the Cannes Film Festival. With both directors and the team in attendance.

PLACÉE

Léa Fazer, Mathilde Henzelin, Sébastien Meier | 2026 | CH, BE, FR | 6×45′
With Isabelle Carré, Danae Dario
International Premiere, Highlights section

Having just given birth to her first child, Tania feels unable to care for her and is overcome by an inexplicable sadness. She sets out with her mother in search of answers.
An RTS series produced by Rita Productions, in coproduction with Sequel Prod and KIDAM. Created by Léa Fazer, Mathilde Henzelin and Sébastien Meier, directed by Léa Fazer. With the team in attendance.

FOUR SWISS IMMERSIVE TITLES

The immersive selection includes four Swiss titles: a live audiovisual performance, a show on the edge of art and science, a black-and-white dance of loners and outcasts, and a journey through five Swiss ecosystems. Future Frontiers and Res Natura will have their world premiere at GIFF.

CAPTURES

Pablo Felley, Théo Phildius, Valérie Siron | 2025 | CH | 30′ | VR
World premiere, International Immersive Experience Competition

Sounds, generative images, and 3D scans transform in real time: Captures takes us on a journey from abstraction to reality in an audiovisual performance that disrupts spaces and perceptions.

FUTURE FRONTIERS

Grègór Belibi Minya, François Moncarey | 2026 | CH | 20′ | VR
World Premiere, Highlights section

À la rencontre de l’art et de la science, images et sons donnent forme à l’invisible. Une traversée audiovisuelle qui bouscule nos perceptions et imagine d’autres mondes au-delà de nos certitudes.

SUNSET MOTEL

Gilles Jobin | 2026 | CH, FR | 20′ | VR
Swiss Premiere, International Immersive Experience Competition

In the middle of the desert, step inside the Sunset Motel. Gilles Jobin brings Thomas Ott’s black-and-white world to life in a strange dance macabre filled with colorful characters.

RES NATURA

Mélanie Courtinat, Julien Mercier | 2026 | CH | 20′ | VR
World Premiere, Future Is Sensible Competition

Five Swiss ecosystems, five equilibriums to explore: Res Natura reveals how even our most seemingly insignificant actions can set off a cascade of consequences and disrupt the fragile balance of life.

Mélanie Courtinat will also be featured in the Highlights section with Indulto, a video game that subverts the conventions of the genre to explore violence, spectacle, and free will.