Interview with Andreas Bühlmann, deputy director of Swiss Films

Andreas Bühlmann, deputy director of Swiss Films, discusses the current state and international presence of Swiss cinema, highlighting the country’s participation at the Venice Film Festival 2026 and at the Venice Production Bridge, where it is one of the two Countries in Focus. He emphasizes the importance of showcasing Swiss film projects and co-productions in a global context.

Switzerland’s Presence at the Venice Production Bridge Highlights Its Diverse Film Landscape

Bühlmann explains that Switzerland is represented by four film commissions at the event, with a particular focus on promoting the country’s varied landscapes and facilities. Although Switzerland lacks a national incentive scheme, the country’s participation aims to demonstrate its potential as a versatile filming location. The presence of the federal minister underscores the political importance of fostering a stronger audiovisual industry, both culturally and economically, in Switzerland.

Swiss Films and Co-Productions in Venice Showcase the Country’s Cinematic Diversity

Bühlmann highlights several Swiss projects featured in Venice, starting with From Inside Out, an immersive documentary in which Wim Wenders explores the work and philosophy of Pritzker Prize-winning Swiss architect Peter Zumthor (in Venice Open).

He also mentions a prominent Swiss majority co-production with Spain competing in the Giornate degli Autori, The Indies, by Pauline Juliet and Nicolas Chapulier, and a minority Swiss co-production, also in GDA – Notti Veneziane, this time with Italy: Anatomy of a Portrait, by Francesco Clerici and Mattia Colombo, a striking portrait of a pioneering woman tied to the Brera Foundation. He also cites the final chapter of the Hugo Pratt trilogy by Stefano Knuchel, Hugo in Venice, a special screening shared by La Biennale, GDA and Settimana della Critica.

Switzerland’s Strategic Focus on International Markets and Future Initiatives

Bühlmann discusses Switzerland’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in European and global markets through targeted participation in events like Venice. He also mentions the Swiss presence in the Venice Gap Financing Market, with several Swiss co-productions selected, such as Ursula Meier’s Quiet Land and The Smuggler, a co-production with Greece, the other Country in Focus.

Additionally, Swiss Films is launching its first streaming platform, Play+, and aims to foster series production.