Dear filmmakers, dear friends of Central Switzerland
This autumn we are presenting ourselves in a new look: a new website, new print materials and a new newsletter – the one you are reading right now. We also share impressions from the set on the Bürgenstock and from our first appearance at the “Venice Production Bridge” – the industry programme of the Venice Film Festival. And we take you to a location deep underground.
Enjoy reading!
Lili Kaelin, Film Commissioner
News from us
A Fresh New Look
Our new website has been online since the beginning of September. It is tailored even more closely to the needs of producers and shows at a glance what Central Switzerland has to offer for filming, which services we provide as a film commission, and that we are the first point of contact for all six cantons of Central Switzerland.
The location directory now has a clear filter system that makes finding the right locations much easier. It shows the wide range of locations our region has to offer and is continuously being expanded.
Requests for locations and other services can now be made directly via the website.
To match, we have also redesigned our brochure – see for yourself:
Production
“Camera Rolling!” in Nidwalden
It was hard to miss: this summer, the new Prime Video series SUPERIOR also filmed at various locations in the canton of Nidwalden, including the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne and Kehrsiten-Dorf.
A production of this scale requires careful planning and a great deal of coordination: with municipalities and authorities, with landowners and local businesses and, not least, with residents. As the film commission, we supported the production team during preparation, put them in touch with the right contacts and helped coordinate with everyone involved.
During a set visit on the terrace of the Bürgenstock Resort, we had the pleasure of welcoming Othmar Filliger, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs of Nidwalden, and his wife Yvonne Filliger. Producer Jessica Hefti of Zodiac Pictures and the resort management gave them an insight into the shoot and showed what it takes for a series of this scale to come together smoothly on location.
Many thanks to everyone involved for the great collaboration!
Network & Promotion
Central Switzerland at the Lido
Photos: KEYSTONE/Jean-Christophe Bott
This year, Switzerland was the guest country of the Venice Production Bridge: the film market of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival put a special focus on Switzerland as a production country. Together with the film commissioners from Ticino, Zurich and Valais, Lili Kaelin was part of the Swiss delegation.
Panels, meetings with producers and many conversations on the sidelines were an opportunity to show what the cantons of Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Uri and Zug offer film productions: diverse locations within a short distance, support with location scouting and permits, local crews and contacts, and financial incentives for scouting and production.
A highlight was the exchange with Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider about our work in the regions and how we bring productions from Switzerland and abroad to the country.
Spot On
Dragan Gavric, Producer, Brunnen SZ
Central Switzerland offers not only locations, but also the people who make films happen. Here we introduce people, companies and organisations from the regional creative industry.
«In Central Switzerland, distances are short – across the landscape and between people. I love bringing this network into every project.»
Dragan Gavric
Dragan Gavric is a producer and managing director of 89 Productions in Brunnen. The independent production company focuses on ambitious arthouse cinema and actively supports young creatives.
Dragan also works with the Lucerne-based company ORISONO, for example on the film «44 West» by Fabio Stecher and Jan Baumgartner, and is active in Switzerland and abroad. As a freelance producer, he is open to exciting projects – especially here in Central Switzerland.
Discover
Spinni Water Reservoir, Baar ZG
From alpine to urban – and all in between: Central Switzerland offers a great variety of landscapes and architecture within a small area, as well as unique locations. Today we take you underground.
The Spinni reservoir feels like a monumental underground cathedral. With its raw, archaic aesthetic, it offers an impressive backdrop for mystical, futuristic or dark scenes.
This extraordinary structure dates from 1890 and was in operation until 2004. Today, the industrial monument can be visited on guided tours.
More pictures and further information can be found on our website.
Notes
Zuger Filmtage
The festival for young filmmakers celebrates its 10th edition. To mark the anniversary, alongside Swiss feature and short films there will be a small festival centre in the heart of Zug for the first time, plus workshops, masterclasses and networking events.
Film.lokal
The showcase of Central Swiss filmmaking with film talks, panel discussions and apéros for direct contact between audiences and filmmakers.
PinkPanorama Filmfestival Luzern
The queer film festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Alongside the many cinematic highlights, the varied and in every respect dazzling supporting programme is always worth a visit.
at the cinema, on a scout or on set.
Discover the Heart of Switzerland!
