19/01/2004

Since the start of the new year, the three main organisations in charge of promoting Swiss cinema have been joined together in a single entity for a tree year test period. The Swiss Film Centre, the Pro Helvetia Cinema Service and the Swiss Short Film Agency are now operating under the single agency called Swiss Films. The aim is to enhance and improve the promotion of Swiss cinema, both at home and abroad.

The director of the new structure is Micha Schiwow, and he will be working alongside 14 other collaborators. The activities of the former three agencies will be intensified on the domestic front as well as abroad. Swiss Films, which is a member of European Film Promotion (EFP), will be present at the major international festivals and it also has the brief to spread Swiss cinematographic heritage throughout the world. There will also be a new branch of Swiss Films set up in the Geneva region, overseen by Philippe Clivaz, the last director of the Swiss Short Film Agency.

(Translated from French)