Ambassador Jürg Burri emphasized the significance of this exchange, ‘Film is a universal language that bridges cultures. We are proud to bring a strong Swiss presence to Beijing this week. From old masters to contemporary voices, Swiss cinema mirrors our national identity: multilingual, democratic, and focused on quality. Through cinema, we invite Chinese audiences to discover the diversity and creativity of Swiss storytelling.’
‘2025 marks significant milestones in cinematic history: the 130th anniversary of world cinema, the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema, and the 15th edition of the BJIFF. We warmly welcome the Swiss film delegation to actively participate in our events and engage in in-depth exchanges and collaborative discussions with Chinese industry peers,’ said Deputy Secretary-General Bian Jian.
Renowned Swiss directors Vincent Perez and Cyril Schäublin will serve as jury members at this year’s BJIFF, while Swiss director Maria Brendle’s film Frieda’s Case will compete in the main competition. Throughout the festival, Swiss cinema will showcase its creativity, innovation, and cultural richness.
From April 18 to 26, Switzerland will take centre stage with a dynamic program featuring screenings, lectures, workshops, and panel discussions at leading institutions such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Film Academy, and the Central Academy of Drama. A 20-member Swiss delegation – including directors, producers, actors, and scholars – will engage with Chinese public, students, and industry professionals, covering topics like Swiss documentary filmmaking, co-productions, short films, and contemporary cinema education.
Swiss Film Week, opening on 20 April with The Sparrow in the Chimney, will present a six-film showcase, including new releases like The Landscape and the Fury, Alpha., and Les Courageux, as well as classics like Jonas qui aura 25 ans en l’an 2000 (1976) and La Salamandre (1971).
Switzerland may not be a giant in size, but when it comes to cinema, it is world-class. Known for its artistic depth, innovative storytelling, and strong documentary traditions, Swiss filmmaking has earned global respect. Swiss cinema plays a crucial role in defining the country's identity. At the heart of it all is a simple belief: telling great stories with care and creativity matters more than scale – and that’s very much in the Swiss spirit.
Swiss documentaries, in particular, enjoy wide acclaim, with festivals like Visions du Réel in Nyon and dedicated sections at Locarno Film Festival serving as key platforms. Supported by elite film schools (ZHdK, ECAL), robust public funding, and Swiss Films’ global promotion, Swiss cinema thrives at the intersection of artistic freedom and technical innovation – an achievement celebrated annually since 1998 at the Swiss Film Awards.
The country’s breath-taking landscapes have also attracted international productions, from Star Wars: Episode III to Chinese films like The Interpreter and Remembering Wang Lichuan. Meanwhile, Swiss festivals like Locarno have helped introduce Chinese cinema to global audiences.
Over the past decade, Swiss cinema has gained increasing recognition at Chinese film festivals, including previous editions of BJIFF. This year’s collaboration not only celebrates Swiss filmmaking but also reflects the growing cultural exchange between Switzerland and China. The Swiss Embassy in China has further promoted these ties through initiatives like the annual Swiss Open Air Film Festival, launched in 2021.
As the Country of Honor, Switzerland aims to foster new partnerships in film education, co-productions, and distribution while sharing its unique cultural perspective with Chinese and global audiences. For the full program of Swiss activities at the 15th BJIFF, please follow our social media.
