02/03/2016 - For its 30th edition the Festival will feature, alongside the official selection, a rich series of parallel sections, debates, tributes and a carte blanche dedicated to Geraldine Chaplin

The Fribourg International Film Festival (11-19 March) has unveiled its programme, which will this year be rich in reflections on the condition of women, their private lives and their role in societies that aren’t always ready or willing to accept them.

Deliberately open, this year’s programme will feature, alongside the official selection – the international feature and short film competition – a rich series of parallel sections (including the scathing “Cinéma de genre: plus féroces que les mâles” section), debates, tributes (with one in particular to trailblazing American actress and director Ida Lupino) and a carte blanche dedicated to the one-of-a-kind Geraldine Chaplin. From the early days of cinema right up to more contemporary pieces and emerging talent, a total of 127 films (including 55 Swiss debuts) will celebrate women in all their majestic diversity.

The only European director in the international competition, Ukrainian filmmaker Eva Neymann, will showcase her poetic Song of Songs [+see also:
trailer
film profile], which will be accompanied by a full-bodied group of Swiss and European co-productions. These include Yo by Mexican director Matias Meyer, co-produced by Mexico, Switzerland and Canada, Blanka [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Kohki Hasei
film profile]by Filipino filmmaker Kohki Hasei (a co-production between Italy, the Philippines and Japan), which tells the daring story of a young orphan living on the streets of Manila, and The Black Hen [+see also:
trailer
film profile], a debut feature film by Nepalese director Min Bahadur Bham (produced with the combined efforts of Nepal, Switzerland, Germany and France). Another debut feature being showcased is that of Israeli director Yaelle Kayam, whose intense film Mountain [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Yaelle Kayam
film profile], an Israeli-Danish co-production, is being shown in competition.

All in all a multitude of offerings for a festival that’s not afraid to show off its independence.

(Translated from Italian)