Switzerland Showcases its Diversity at ITFS and APD 2025
Press Release, Stuttgart, 15 April 2025
“A diverse country producing high-quality films”
This year’s country focus at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) 2025 and the Animation Production Days (APD) shines a spotlight on Switzerland. The collaboration puts the Swiss animation industry centre stage, tying together a range of programme elements to form a cohesive experience that foregrounds sustainability, innovation and linguistic diversity. “The country focus at ITFS allows Switzerland to deepen and cultivate the already excellent bilateral relations with Germany – and with Baden-Württemberg in particular – beyond the context of the festival,” says Daniel Häne of the Swiss Consulate General in Stuttgart.
A key role is played by the stop-motion film SAUVAGES and its director Claude Barras, who will offer insights into puppet animation and sustainable production approaches during his masterclass on Wednesday, 7 May. Complementing this will be an exhibition of puppets and sets from the film at the Festival Centre.
Another highlight is the In Persona with one of Switzerland’s most prominent animation filmmakers: Maja Gehrig will talk about how a lemon squeezer inspired her path into animation. In parallel with her teaching at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts – Design Film Art, she continuously challenges herself by working with a wide range of styles and techniques. Her latest film AVERAGE HAPPINESS received multiple awards and was honoured with the Swiss Film Award for Best Animation in 2020. The curated programme SWISS WOMEN IN ANIMATION (10 May, 17:30, Cinema) is dedicated exclusively to female animators, spotlighting a vital part of the Swiss animation industry.
Innovation takes centre stage in Making of Swiss Projects, where artists Michael Frei and Simon de Diesbach present their current work. Frei’s session “From Animated Short Film to Video Game” delves into the creative transformation from linear to interactive formats, while de Diesbach’s “From Animated Short Film to Immersive Project” explores how animated content can be translated into multisensory, spatial experiences. These talks underscore the experimental spirit of the industry and the ongoing evolution of approaches to animation.
Four Swiss projects are participating in this year’s APD:
Luise Hüsler and producer Frances McStea from Asako Film will present their animated documentary project PAPIERSCHLOSS. Clémence Pun (Hélium Films) and Claude Barras will introduce their children’s animated docu-series CACA BOUDIN, and producer Seraina Gabathuler (Roundabout Film) and director Celina Escher will present ARMADA LIBERTAD. In addition, producer Nicolas Burlet (Nadasdy Film) and filmmaker Elodie Dermange will showcase CORPS ACROBATES.
The close connection between the APD co-production market and the ITFS festival is of particular interest to Swiss participants, as it offers the opportunity to showcase the broad range of talent, expertise and cultural diversity found in the Swiss animation scene, as represented in this trailer.
Switzerland is a committed co-production partner and is thus strongly represented at both the APD and the festival. Also noteworthy is the school presentation Best of Animation Lucerne by HSLU: the Animation Department at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts enjoys a stellar global reputation for its high-quality artistic and technical output. A curated selection of the best films from the last ten years will be shown. HSLU is widely regarded as a talent hub – demonstrated by its collaboration with Warner TV (Animation Lucerne meets adult swim), which involves young creatives in commissioned projects.
International collaboration and economic perspectives
For Switzerland, collaboration with European partners is of vital importance. The Valais Film Commission will take part in a panel on international co-production opportunities.
The presentation of Studio 13 – a production studio founded during the Covid-19 pandemic – further highlights the strength and relevance of cooperation with partners in France, Germany and other European countries. Commenting on the Swiss country focus, Carole Bagnoud of the GSFA (Groupement Suisse du Film d’Animation) says:
“It allows us to strengthen our position as a small country producing high-quality films, both nationally and internationally. We look forward to presenting our work at ITFS, expanding our international networks and exploring new collaborations.”
Industry voices and regional stakeholders
Speaking on behalf of the promotion agency SWISS FILMS, Marcel Müller highlights the variety and talent represented by Swiss animation at ITFS:
“From seasoned masters to emerging voices, Switzerland presents a wide range of animation – from hand-drawn and 2D/3D computer animation to puppet animation and innovative game design.”
His colleague Sylvain Vaucher adds:
“A special focus lies on Swiss women animators, celebrated through the programme SWISS WOMEN IN ANIMATION, which brings the female perspective in animation into the spotlight.”
The GSFA also emphasises the opportunity the ITFS 2025 offers to demonstrate the quality and potential of Swiss animation both at home and abroad.
The Swiss Consulate General in Stuttgart, whose core mission includes maintaining and enhancing bilateral relations, is actively supporting the initiative. The appearance at ITFS 2025 is intended to consolidate existing networks and forge new connections. Alongside Presence Switzerland, regional players such as the Valais Film Commission, the Zurich Film Foundation, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and Cinéforom are also involved.
Summary and outlook
The strong Swiss presence at ITFS 2025 clearly shows that themes such as sustainability, technological innovation and international collaboration are integral to the Swiss film industry. The showcased projects and initiatives provide insight into how animated films are conceived, produced and further developed in Switzerland – from the initial idea through production to international distribution.
More information on the country focus and programme details can be found via the filter function in the calendar on the ITFS website.
Press photos for the Swiss country focus at ITFS 2025 are available in this Flickr album.
To download: Click the desired photo, then click the arrow symbol in the bottom right corner and choose “View all sizes”. You can then download the photo in your preferred size.
Press contact
Any questions? Feel free to reach out via email at kommunikation@festival-gmbh.de or call
Kathrin Stärk: +49-711/92 54 61 02