The Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) unveils its programme for the multidisciplinary label NIFFF Invasion (1 – 9 July). This diverse programme, aimed at the general public and coproduced and financed by the City of Neuchâtel, will spread the worlds of the fantasy genre throughout the city. NIFFF Invasion will celebrate the festival’s roots in the ancient city at its maximum capacity in redesigned Open Air and Festival OFFF areas, as well as in La Villa, a new festival space. A rich and dynamic programme that gives prominence to digital exploration and to the (re)discovery of genre classics, and that will keep Neuchâtel awake all night long.
NEWLY REDESIGNED INFRASTRUCTURES
As a result of a collaboration between the NIFFF and its loyal partner Lumens 8, the Open Air has a completely new look. The centrepiece of the festival located on the Place des Halles, this new design focuses on the aesthetics of mirror and optical effects, all the while increasing seating capacity to 700.
The OFFF area, where enthused festival-goers attend AFFFTERS, will now spread across two levels in the heart of the Jardin anglais! A brand new location rounds up the festival’s presence: La Villa, an iconic Neuchâtel mansion, will host a variety of interactive and digital offers.
During the day, you will have the opportunity to try out the many free activities from NIFFF Invasion. La Villa will temporarily become a vector for recent independent Swiss creations through video games 100% made in Switzerland. In this beautiful backdrop with view over the lake, the audience can learn about the Vevey-born game SWORDSHIP (Digital Kingdom, 2022), and the Zurich-based FAR: CHANGING TIDES (Okomotive, 2022). La Villa will also host the interactive installation IVF-X POSTHUMAN PARENTING IN HYBRID REALITY (Victorine van Alphen, 2020) which asks questions about parenthood by inviting the participants to conceive a cyborg baby. The Villa’s program will be completed by two interactive installations by the HE-Arc and the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK) respectively.
INVASION – THE RETURN OF CONTEMPORARY ART AT THE NIFFF
Contemporary art is making its comeback through the NIFFF Invasion label. Invited by the CAN Centre d’art Neuchâtel, artist Gabriele Garavaglia has carte blanche to take ownership of various festival ports of call in the city with a fantasy-themed installation. This never-see-before work developed in partnership with la Maison d’Ailleurs, will explore the strange and the queer at the Théâtre du Passage, to echo the Scream Queer retrospective.
A LABEL TO ENJOY DAY AND NIGHT
The highly-anticipated CLASSICS RELOADED, which will offer a rare opportunity to (re)discover restored classics free of charge, will invite young and old to lie down under the stars on the new Open Air for screenings full of emotions. It is there, in the flamboyant pedestrian zone, that we will screen the legendary E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (Steven Spielberg, 1982) for its 40th anniversary. PSYCHO (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960), THE INNOCENTS (Jack Clayton, 1961), BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR (Ronny Yu, 1993), and ¿QUIÉN PUEDE MATAR A UN NIÑO? (Narcisso Ibànez Serrador, 1976) will also be shown.
Music will of course echo through the branches of the Jardin anglais every night, but there is more. In collaboration with Case à Chocs, two special dancing evenings will set the NIFFF nights on fire: FANTASTIC QUEERS (Saturday, July 2nd) and CLOSING PARTY NIFFF x CASE À CHOCS (Saturday, July 9th).
BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR (Ronny Yu, HK, 1993) : Lian, a feared witch raised by wolves, falls in love with a young warrior from the enemy clan. Her wish for a peaceful life with her loved one will prove an arduous feat.
¿QUIEN PUEDE MATAR A UN NIÑO? (Narciso Ibáñez Serrador, ES, 1976) : An English couple on holiday arrive on an island inhabited solely by strange-behaving children. With no adult in sight, violence breaks out… A cult and cruel movie.
E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (Steven Spielberg, US, 1982) : Elliott, a lonely little boy, befriends an alien stranded on Earth who yearns to return home. Spielberg magic under the stars.
THE INNOCENTS (Jack Clayton, UK, USA, 1961) : A spine-chilling mansion becomes the setting for a chilling ghost story when a housekeeper goes into a tailspin at the thought of it being haunted. An elegant masterclass in terror.
PSYCHO (Alfred Hitchcock, US, 1960) : Norman Bates’ motel reopens exceptionally for a queer reading of the most famous serial killer of all time. Cutting-edge filmmaking from Hitchcock.
A FAMILY FRIENDLY PROGRAMME
The NIFFF offers a myriad activities aimed at youngsters with an active imagination. The KID-O-NIFFF programme, in collaboration with AnimaFilms and Filmetic, is dedicated to short films directed by young pupils, while the unmissable Lanterne Magique will screen, like every year, a carefully curated fantasy feature film. The new Open Air will of course welcome day-time street performances. Created by the CCHAR (Centre de Création Helvétique des Arts de la Rue), this programme will delight audiences of all ages every morning from July 4th to July 9th, on the Place des Halles!
