Founded in 2000, the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) has grown over 22 editions to become a not-to-be-missed film event, enjoying national and international acclaim thanks to its prestigious and demanding programme. The event is mainly devoted to a specific film genre: fantasy. This main theme is complemented by two others: digital creation and Asian cinema.
CONCEPT
The NIFFF’s multidisciplinary, all-embracing approach to the fantasy tradition has enabled the festival to establish itself as an international centre of expertise and to develop an innovative discourse around cinematographies of the imaginary.
POSITIONING
The NIFFF has a strong identity that is unique in Switzerland and internationally. The NIFFF and its 3 labels – NIFFF EXTENDED, NIFFF INVASION, and NIFFF ON TOUR – are an essential reference point for fantasy films among the industry, the public and up-and-coming Swiss filmmakers.
FANTASTIC FILMS AS THE AESTHETIC LABORATORY OF CINEMA
“Imagination is the only thing that protects our freedom.” – Luis Buñuel
The concept of “fantastic” on which the NIFFF’s programming is based is very broad: any film that transgresses “ordinary reality” is fantastic. This approach enables it to programme a very wide variety of films: from blockbusters to auteur films, from black comedy to digital imagery. The aim of the festival is to reveal the current dynamism of the fantastic and its essential role in the history of cinema here and elsewhere.
ASIAN CINEMA – WHERE NEW TRENDS ARE BORN
In spite of its unrivalled energy, Asian cinema is rarely shown in Switzerland, which is why the NIFFF has a whole section dedicated to it, called Asian competition. This competition also includes popular genres often related to fantasy, like swordplay films, comedies, kung fu flicks, superheroes.
DIGITAL IMAGES OR THE FILMS OF TOMORROW
Fantasy films have been linked to technological progress since the dawn of cinema. With the launch of the Imaging the Future symposium in 2004, the NIFFF has become a pioneering event in terms of digital creation. 10 years later, the advent of digital technologies opened new possibilities, and revolutionised the way viewers and audio-visual media interact. As a result, the NIFFF EXTENDED was created to observe contemporary practices, as well as identify the challenges associated with media convergence and the future of creative processes.
The ancient city of Neuchâtel is located in the heart of Switzerland and is well-known for fostering the connections between artistic imagination and innovation. Every year, the festival takes over about 10 locations, notably 4 screening rooms, 1 covered Open Air (capacity: 2,143 seats) and various strategic meeting points.
OPEN AIR
The NIFFF’s 18th edition marked the move of its Open Air attraction – which used to be located on the Ostervalk quay – to the Place des Halles, thanks to our collaboration with the City of Neuchâtel, Association Neuchâtel Centre, the Groupement du marché, and the square’s restaurant owners. Having noticed the enthusiasm surrounding this development, the festival’s organisers cannot help but think they are finally entering a new era, having reaped the fruit of their long-lasting labour. The City of Neuchâtel joins them in thanking the economic stakeholders who backed their project and committed to its success.
THÉÂTRE DU PASSAGE
As a meeting point for festival goers and professionals alike, the Théâtre du Passage includes a screening room, a conference room, and a restaurant. It is the ideal location for presentations and exhibitions.
CINEMAS
The NIFFF works hand in hand with Cinepel SA to offer screenings at the Cinéma des Arcades (Faubourg de l’Hôpital 5), at the Cinéma Rex (Faubourg de l’Hôpital 16) and at the Cinéma Studio (Faubourg du Lac 7).
LA VILLA
La Petite Rochette, a mansion on rue du Tertre, has been renamed La Villa for the festival. It houses the NIFFF Invasion program, a free offer supported by the City of Neuchâtel.
OFFF AREA
An audience favourite, the OFFF area at the Jardin Anglais is composed of bars and animations. The VIP area works as a stylish public relation platform for professionals, who can share unforgettable moments with the guests. All NIFFF audiences converge to this site.
