A visual recap of NIFFF 2023 through daily capsules produced by Studio Corium !
NIFFF EXTENDED – CONFERENCES & CONVERSATIONS
The yearly NIFFF EXTENDED programme – supported by the SRG SSR – consists of free roundtables, conferences, and public talks that have to do with the festival’s guests and various programmes. It is also an opportunity to explore new technologies at the service of fantasy storytelling (IMAGING THE FUTURE) and to meet major authors in person (NEW WORLDS OF FANTASY).
A CONVERSATION WITH JOHN MCTIERNAN
Rambo got the ball rolling, but John McTiernan (PREDATOR, DIE HARD) took the American action genre to new bloody and spectacular heights in the late 80s. Spy thrillers, heist films, and adventure epics are the icing… or grenades… on the Hollywood cake.
• John McTiernan, filmmaker, US
• Rafael Wolf, journalist at RTS, CH
FEMALE TROUBLE ROUNDTABLE
It’s not always been a role model in terms of showing women on screen, but the fantasy genre has often trodden a fine line by offering stories in which the female protagonist (commonly a caricature) questions the norms established by society. This panel will involve remarkable speakers on the subject.
• Carlota Pereda, director of PIGGY, ES
• Mónica García Massagué, Foundation General Manager, SITGES, ES
• Anna Bogutskaya, author, critic and host of THE FINAL GIRLS, UK
• Maral Mohsenin, Head of Programming, GIFF, IR
DESIGN ET FICTION : IMAGINER LE FUTUR, C’EST LE CONCEVOIR
In collaboration with mudac
By imagining the future, science fiction gives a shape and a function to objects that do not exist. To do that, we must predict and take a stance on the future. This conference will be all about understanding what is means to look beyond the horizon and how predictions influence designs and vice versa.
• Scott Longfellow, curator at mudac
IMAGING THE FUTURE
ANIMATION FOR GROWNUPS
While animation is still perceived as a medium for younger viewers, what should we make of the recent wave of animated films “for grownups” that have invaded the screens? How important are these movies for their creators, what is at stake, and how bright is their future?
• Tibor Bánóczki, co-director of WHITE PLASTIC SKY, HU
• Sarolta Szabó, co-director of WHITE PLASTIC SKY, HU
• Anja Kofmel, director and producer, CH
• Chloé Hofmann, PhD in cinema, CH
ELECTRIC.FILM : UN STUDIO D’UN NOUVEAU GENRE
Swiss filmmaker Simon Jaquemet (CHRIEG, DER UNSCHULDIGE, ELECTRIC CHILD) will be introducing electric.film, a film studio concept that is decentralized and participatory, and that can harness the power of Web 3.0 technologies to offer innovative approaches to development, financing, distribution, and audience engagement for a newer, more transparent vision of the film industry.
• Simon Jaquemet, filmmaker and co-founder of electric.film, CH
PINOCCHIO’S PUPPETS
Expert puppet makers Mackinnon & Saunders (FANTASTIC MR. FOX, CORPSE BRIDE, MARS ATTACKS…) have once again proved why they’re among the best with GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO, winner of the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. One of the toy makers behind Geppetto will take us behind the scenes.
• Richard Pickersgill, lead puppet maker, Mackinnon & Saunders, UK
A CONVERSATION WITH KATSUHITO ISHII
In addition to the retrospective dedicated to his diverse filmography, Ishii Katsuhito will open up about his colourful worlds. From cartoony manga adaptations to poetic madness, and from speeding animation to collaborating with Tarantino on KILL BILL, the cult auteur will give a rare public talk at the festival.
• Katsuhito Ishii, filmmaker, JP
• Bastian Meiresonne, journalist and programmer, DE
AHEAD OF THE GAME
What sets video game animation apart from other animated works? Legibility concerns, graphical constraints, artistic consistency… video game creators must comply with many requirements. The remarkable TINYKIN and NOCTURNAL development teams will discuss their techniques and their tools.
• Marie Marquet, co-founder and creative director of Splashteam, FR
• Gabriel Sonderegger, co-founder of Sunnyside Games, CH
RISE OF THE ROBOT ARTISTS
Everybody is talking about it: Artificial Intelligence will impact nearly all aspects of society, including artistic creation. The work of concept artists has changed since the rise of a legion of image generators. Will AI replace artists, or will we be able to tame it in time?
• Dr. Johan Rochel, co-director at Ethix and researcher at UNIL, CH
• Nathalie Dietschy, assistant professor at UNIL, CH
MAD HEIDI: VFX MADE IN SWITZERLAND
Gallons of blood and fondue cheese on the menu! MAD HEIDI is the first Swissploitation film in the world. A Zurich-based man named Chris Blaser was in charge of the VFX. He will present his work on this one-of-a-kind Swiss film, which contains close to 185 distinct visual effects!
• Chris Blaser, VFX supervisor, Mad Heidi, CH
VFX BREAKDOWN: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL.3
This Spring, Marvel’s favourite makeshift space crew embarked on its last journey. Framestore and RISE, two VFX giants that worked on the project, will present their respective work on the film, which received acclaim for its charm and darker direction.
• Stuart Bullen, VFX supervisor at RISE, UK
• Nathan McConnel, Animation supervisor at Framestore, UK
NEW WORLDS OF FANTASY
A CONVERSATION WITH CHARLES BURNS
From DÉDALES to BLACK HOLE, illustrator and graphic novel author Charles Burns stands out with his body of work that cleverly mixes humour and horror. His unique style paints a troubling portrait of America from the 50s to the 70s through gripping and unsettling stories. A rare opportunity to meet a real master of the uncanny.
• Charles Burns, author and illustrator, US
• Leticia Ramos, expert in comic books, Librairie Cumulus, CH
MARTIN PANCHAUD : UN UNIVERS GRAPHIQUE COMME NUL AUTRE
With the support of Pro Helvetia
In 2023, Swiss comic book creator Martin Panchaud won the Fauve d’or in Angoulême with his first book LA COULEUR DES CHOSES. Thanks to his original and surprising visual grammar, Martin Panchaud immerses us in a truly unique kind of storytelling. And if the Force be with you, he will thrill you with his remarkable adaptation of STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE. Don’t miss out!
• Martin Panchaud, comics author and illustrator, CH
• Boris Bruckler, consultant NWoF, CH
LA BD SUISSE SE FAIT NUMÉRIQUE
With the support of Pro Helvetia
Since 2018, Swiss publishing house Collection RVB publishes offbeat digital comics. Aude Barrio, Yannis La Macchia, and Pierre Schilling will present their work and talk about the new opportunities offered by this new way of seeing comic book art. Technological, narrative, and publishing innovation all propel Swiss comics to the top!
• Aude Barrio, comics artist, CH
• Yannis la Macchia, comics artist, CH
• Pierre Schilling, comics artist, CH
• Boris Bruckler, NWoF consultant, CH
A CONVERSATION WITH JOSIANE BALASKO
In collaboration with Vertigo – RTS
As a figurehead of French pop culture, Josiane Balasko first came to fame in the theatre with the Splendid troupe. She then made many successful films, with a strong focus on popular comedies and dramas. In 2019, the actress once again stepped back in favour of the writer, and she published a collection of fantasy short stories called JAMAIPLU, in which she professes her unexpected love for fantasy.
• Josiane Balasko, Author, actress and director, FR
• Anne-Laure Gannac, journalist at RTS, CH
