Gnade vor Recht ("Mercy Before Justice")

This is the title of the new feature film by Stefan Jäger, produced by tellfilm from Zurich, which has been filmed over the past few weeks at various locations in Obwalden, Nidwalden, and Lucerne. Pictured: The Flüeli Chapel in Flüeli Ranft. The story is based on the historical events surrounding the last civilian execution in Switzerland in 1940 in Sarnen. The lead roles are played by well-known actors Luna Wedler and Max Hubacher.

Drama am Gericht ("Courtroom Drama")

The first day of the new year also marked the start of filming for the new short film by Pablo Callisaya (Tapir Film). The Lucerne-based filmmaker took advantage of the court recess to shoot the drama, tentatively titled Fuschtimsack (swissgerman for "fist-in-the-hand), at its original location in the district court of Lucerne's Old Town.

_{f.l.t.r.: Niklaus Zeier (CEO FC Lucerne & Central Switzerland), Xavier Koller (Oscar winner), Pascal Edelmann (European Film Academy), Lili Kaelin (Film Commissioner FC Lucerne & Centralswitzerland)}

Honor for the Steamboat Schiller

The filming of the international co-production La Chimera (I/CH/FR 2023), which took place in part on Lake Lucerne, not only brought awards and recognition to the film itself. Last June, the steamboat Schiller became the first Swiss filming location ever to be designated as a Treasure of European Film Culture.

The European Film Academy grants this award to particularly valuable and culturally significant film locations. The Schiller represents the entire fleet of steamboats and the unique Lake Lucerne landscape. The inauguration was celebrated with a special ceremony, featuring a speech by Central Switzerland's Oscar-winning filmmaker Xavier Koller.

^{f.l.t.r.: Armin Hartmann (Cantonal Councillor of Lucerne), Elisabeth Baume-Schneider ("Bundesrätin"), Juliette Binoche (President of the European Film Academy) Susanne Wille (Director General of SRG SSR), Beat Züsli (Mayor of Lucerne)}

Blue Carpet, Flashlights, and Emotional Moments

"Let’s bring the European Film Awards to us!" What started years ago as an idea from the Film Commission reached its peak on December 7, 2024, at the KKL Lucerne: the presentation of the 37th European Film Awards. The event honored outstanding European filmmaking, bringing stars and glamour to Lake Lucerne. It strengthened international connections and recognition of Swiss filmmaking on various levels, while the city and region gained significant attention in both national and international media.

The project leadership for this unique event and the associated programs in Lucerne was managed by Niklaus Zeier and Lili Kaelin. From the side of the Film Commission Lucerne & Central Switzerland, we also used this platform to showcase Central Switzerland’s diverse filming locations. One example is the nomination clip, which we staged as a journey following the water route from Gotthard to Lucerne.

A big thank you to everyone who embarked on this adventure with us and helped ensure that Lucerne and Switzerland could successfully take this stage for Europe.

^{f.l.t.r.: Mick Vuillemier, Michael Rüedi, Timothy Ross, Eva Jost, Alexander Stratigenas, Sebastian Klinger, Nick Schneider}

Shooting Stars in Film Production

The paths of Film Commissioner Lili Kaelin and Timothy Ross first crossed in early 2018 when the aspiring film student sought support for his ambitious short film project. Shortly afterward, he founded ORISONO with Alexander Stratigenas, and a year ago, producer Michael Rüedi joined the team.

Today, seven years later, ORISONO is actively developing and producing feature films, documentaries, and series on both national and international levels. In collaboration with Soundville Media Studios, ORISONO operates nine studios in the heart of Lucerne, offering high-quality post-production services all in one place.

Brutalist architecture in a fantastic location in Morschach SZ

The Mattli Antoniushaus is situated on a south-facing terrace in a place of power high above Lake Lucerne ("Vierwaldstättersee"). The detached building from the 1960s combines concrete with wood and blends harmoniously into the rural surroundings. The Mattli Antoniushaus is run as a seminar and education centre. The site is registered in the Federal Inventory of Protected Landscapes.