FIFOG 2017 celebrates Living Together

100 movies and 80 guests

This new edition showcases 100 creations representing the themes of 'Dialogue', and 'Living together'. Whether through fiction films or documentaries, filmmakers compete with ingenuity. A poetic image, a romantic scene, a prosaic light or philosophical reflections are all invitations to open oneself up to the Other and overcome prejudices. These solicitations take on a stronger meaning given the current dramatic times we're living in. These cinematographic gems give hope and reject obscurantism.

Women and Youth

With the support of the city of Geneva, under the patronage of the Swiss Commission for UNESCO and honorifically presided by the renowned writer, researcher and sociologist Azouz Begag, this new edition of FIFOG places special attention on avant-garde filmmakers with an uncompromising vision, young people and women. The program includes movie screenings, debates, art exhibitions, school programmes and audio-visual training workshops.

FIFOG launches debates on current topics

To appease those who are touched or even infuriated by certain film themes, FIFOG launches a reflection on hot and worrying topics that are a considerable strain on 'living together'. The Syrian conflict, refugees, integration and Jihadism are at the heart of the Big Documentaries Week-end that takes place from April 1st to 2nd at Fonction : Cinema. It continues in the cinemas of Grütli with a great debate on 'Jihadism for dummies' with the anthropologist and expert on deradicalization Dounia Bouzar. On this occasion, four short films will be screened and followed by Le Ciel attendra by Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar, in the presence of Dounia Bouzar.

Several awards

After a one-year suspension, the documentaries competition is back. It enjoys the support of TV5 Monde, which will award the winner with a professional film camera. In addition, two Golden and Silver FIFOG are given to the best feature film and the best short film.  Also, a Golden Critic Award in the category of features will be awarded. Finally, there will be eight movies in the Swiss Made category competing for “the best film” and 17 movies in the school competitions (3 schools: ECG Henry-Dunand, CO Budé and CO Montbrillant).

Tribute to Youssef Chahine, Paul Riniker and Samy Naceri

The festival will accord several tributes. First, to the prodigious Youssef Chahine through three of his movies which have joined the world cinema heritage list. Also to Samy Naceri, a powerful actor whose rich and prolific work pleads for the concept of “Living together”. He will attend the screenings of La Mentale by Manuel Boursinhac and Bab El Web by Merzak Allouache. And finally an award to Paul Riniker through the screening, in his presence, of his film Le Petit Paradis.

Extension to the municipalities

This year marks the realization of FIFOG's will to extend in the municipalities of the canton of Geneva. Many of them support FIFOG activities. Thereby, citizens of various municipalities will benefit from the exceptional cinematographic richness offered by FIFOG. This initiative will also allow asylum-seekers to benefit from the rich cultural offerings of the Canton of Geneva.

FIFOG 2017 IN NUMBERS

·         100 movies

·         Special Documentary weekend: April 1st and 2nd at Fonction : Cinema

·         Opening Movie: Le Chant des hommes by Bénédicte Liénard and Mary Jiménez

·         Closing ceremony: My China Doll by Rachid Ferchiou.

·         3 categories: 16 documentaries, 40 feature films, 44 short films

·         Women directors : 8 documentaries, 11 feature films and 13 short films

·         3 movies by Youssef Chahine    

·         2 movies featuring Samy Naceri 

·         1 movie featuring Paul Riniker    

·         25 screening locations 

·         Partner Geneva Municipalities: Geneva, Vernier, Presinge, Grand-Saconnex, Vandoeuvres, Satigny, Perly-Certoux, Meinier.

·         30 countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Georgia, Great Britain, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Morocco, Palestine, Netherlands, Qatar, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and the USA

·         109 directors: 35 women and 74 men

·         80 guests

·         8 competitions with 8 jurys : Competitions for feature films, shorts and documentaries; Golden Critic Award; Swiss Made Competition; 3 scholar competitions

·         More than 150 partners

TRAILER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk-93o2C5VU

CATALOGUE 

http://fifog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/CATALOGUE-FIFOG-2017.pdf

Website:

www.fifog.com