Check for application guidelines in October 2006.
February 2006 - Special Seminar co-presentation:
New Media Workshop and SwissAm present a one day exclusive symposium
PRODUCING DIGITAL FEATURES
with producer Jake Abraham, InDigEnt
Saturday, February 25, 10am-5:30pm Tribeca Cinemas
Break into the business with a low-budget feature shot on DV!
Digital Video has brought feature filmmaking within reach of a new generation of filmmakers, but at the same time made technical decisions more complex than ever before. This one-day intensive in producing digital feature films is led by Jake Abraham, producer at InDigEnt, the leading producers of theatrical DV features (November, Land of Plenty, Tadpole, Tape), and features industry guest-speakers on the cutting-edge of Digital Video film production including Evan Schechtman (Outpost Digital), Jerome Poynton (Swiss Effects), Matthew Bonifacio and Carmine Famiglietti (creators of the 2004 Sundance digital feature „Lbs.‰), Isil Bagadi and Michael Sergio (CAVU Pictures), and others. Topics include financing, choice of formats, postproduction and workflow, and tape-to-film transfers.
Tuition is $140, special offer of 25 % discount to SwissAm email list members.
Request ticket at info@nymediaworkshop.com and copy request to
October 2006 - SwissAm presents
Private Equity in films: Evolution with new trends and new demands
Check in June 2006 for more info.
What People say about SwissAm
“SwissAm was a great showcase for The Definition of Insanity. We had a big, very responsive audience, and the screening was followed by lively discussions. The Best Feature Audience Award that we won created interest from other festivals. We also had a great time at the various panels and parties, where we met lots of other filmmakers, Swiss and American, to exchange thoughts about the state of independent filmmaking in the new millenium.”
- Frank Matter, Swiss Filmmaker
“I want to thank you for your interest in my new film LES ARBRES DE JOSH. I was very pleased to have participated in the Swiss American Film Festival in 2003 with my earlier film LE TUBE. As a New Yorker myself, it was especially important to have had this opportunity of presenting the film to a New York audience and to discuss with my colleagues there. I am very grateful to you for your initiative and hard work in organizing the event.”
- Peter Entell, Swiss Filmmaker
“SwissAm was great! Your fest offered me the chance of showing Mojados to an international audience. I made a number of friends from all over the world because of your fest. In particular I remember the parties being much more engaging at your festival than anywhere else, there was a real sense of comraderie… I really did have a good time at your fest and hopefully in the future I'll have something that’s a good fit for you fest! I hope to make it to a few screenings this year!”
- Tommy Davis, US filmmaker (Mojados was picked theatrically in New York)
“The Swiss American Film Festival provided us with a great audience for our film in New York City, the capital of the American independent film world. Also, the laid-back and fun parties and receptions gave us a chance to talk shop with some of the rising stars of both U.S. and European filmmaking.”
- Bryan Poyser, US filmmaker (Dear Pillow was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award)
“As filmmakers, it’s crucial for us to get in touch and in contact with the world around us, and to cross borders both in our head as in the outer reality, among nations and people. SwissAm gives us such a chance and it can be and became even more an important event for us in this respect.”
- Stefan Haupt, Swiss Filmmaker
“The Swiss-American Film Festival was the only chance I was able to screen my full-length documentary in New York City. And it was screened twice and also won the Audience Award! That kind of exposure has helped the film tremendously. I’m in serious talks with distributors and public television people. That’s where all those people have their offices - or most of them. And screening in NY was the only way those people could see the film with an audience. It is a unique venue for both Swiss and American Films and Filmmakers to converse about such a universal medium – film.”
- Mary Trunk - American Director (film will be son released in Home videos ad was picked up by KQED, PBS TV http://www.kqed.org/w/collaborations/watershed/)
“Swissam was a well organized event that brought together a remarkable group of films in one place. Our screening was well attended and it was a wonderful opportunity to watch it screened in one of Manhattan’s most important art house cinemas.”
- Jonathan Skurnik, American Writer and Director
“I enjoyed sitting on the distribution panel, including festival, television, and film distribution representatives. A lively discussion emerged, which I believe was informative for the emerging filmmakers in the audience.”
- Cleo Godsey, Director of Business Affairs, First Run Features US distributor
“The Swissam program is a marvelous opportunity for both cinephiles and film professionals to learn about the many strong links between Swiss and American filmmaking and to discover opportunities to make those connections even stronger.”
- Richard Peña, Program Director, Film Society of Lincoln Center
“I had wonderful time at the festival and just wanted to let you know. I thought the program was really good, the panel was great for me and I [exchanged information] with some of the panelists.”
- Andrea Staka, Swiss Filmmaker (invited to be special guest at the distribution panel)
“Merci encore une fois pour tout ce que tu as fait à New York. Le séminaire était une expérience très positive pour nous et nous avons pu établir plusieurs contacts précieux.”
- Cyril Jost, Film Location Switzerland
“Thank you so much for including our film in the SwissAm festival’the film received so wholeheartedly - well, it was a thrilling event for me and for Max and both his sons. Switzerland was instrumental in Max Birnbach's good fortune during World War II, and it seems the good fortune and good relations between our nations is destined to continue. It is festivals such as this one and individuals like Mr. Loretan and yourself that nurture the growth of that special relationship. I'm honored to be a part of it.”
- Cheryl Blaylock, Director of In Vienna They Put You Jail: The Max Birnbach Story
“Ich wollte mich nocheinmal ganz herzlich für die Einladung nach New York bedanken. Ich hatte eine wunderschöne Woche und habe mich sehr gefreut euch und die anderen Regiesser Innen kennen zu lernen.”
- Anna Luif, filmmaker
“I had a very positive SwissAm experience when my short film Making Up screened there in 2004. I was thrilled to screen at the Quad, where I have seen so many terrific films over the years. The quality of the SwissAm programming in general was excellent and afforded me the opportunity to see some wonderful films I might never have seen otherwise — especially Meyers, Ola's Box of Clovers and Joyeux Noel, Felix!. And the opening night party was fun and in a convenient and festive location. New York is one of the most important cities in the world for independent and creative filmmaking, and I believe the SwissAm Festival contributes significantly to this vital community.”
- Jennifer Gauthier, Swiss-American Filmmaker
“Greetings from DRED, Thanks for having Venus Boyz I and and the audience had a wonderful time, and really enjoy this film.”
- Dred, Night Artist in Venus Boyz (picked by First Run Features thanks to SwissAm)
“Thank you very much for this great price. I wished I could have attended the festival.”
- Christian Frei, Swiss Filmmaker (picked for NYU seminars thanks to SwissAm)
“Je voulais encore te remercier pour l'invation au festival Swissam le weekend passé. Je vous félicite toi et ton équipe d'avoir organiser cet événement qui je l'espère ce répétera dans le futur. C'était extrêment sympatique de rencontrer tous ces réalisateurs dans un décor aussi exceptionel que New York.”
- Pierre Monnard, filmmaker in Zurich
“Thanks again for the festival... the quality of the work was so high.”
- Richard Sandler, Filmmaker
“As a Swiss-American I was so pleased to discover the SwissAmerican Film Festival in ‘The Independent Film & Video Monthly.’ I’ve wanted something like this for a very long time.”
- Rudy Gertzki, Artist in L.A
“I very much enjoyed the April 25th panel with its opportunity to hear an international view of filmmaking and marketing. I also had fun at the reception which allowed meeting and talking with dynamic Counsul General, Ambassador Raymond Loretan. and with international attendees and saw the film VenuzBoys with the opportunity to meet and hear the co-producer and one of the stars, Dred King, with whom I am sharing contacts to help publicize its general release here in the US. My thanks to all concerned for this event which helps promote international mutual goodwill and commerce!”
- Alice La Brie, TV Producer in NYC
“Venuz Boys had a great screening and was picked up by a distributor thanks to your introduction.”
- Nina Friorep, Clockwise Productions
Official SwissAm 2004 Winners Announced!
-> Download the official SwissAm trailer here
Dear SwissAm Guests,
I am pleased to welcome you to the second edition of the Swiss American Film Festival. Our 2004 edition includes three venues with over 50 films from some of the most talented and innovative artists from the independent Swiss and American film communities. SwissAm 2004 could not have been realized without the help and support of our various sponsors and friends and thanks to our great team of volunteers and full time film, design and marketing experts. I would like to express my thanks to the Swiss Consulate of New York for supporting me wholeheartedly in my efforts, Swiss Films in Switzerland for their great support and our numerous sponsors and co-sponsors. I hope you will benefit from SwissAm's goals of providing a bridge to the American and Swiss film communities, creating a platform for an open exchange of ideas, promoting business opportunities across the Atlantic and celebrating the hard work of striving Independent Filmmakers.
And now enjoy the shows!!!
Nicolas Rossier
SwissAm Founding Director