Stéphane Demoustier’s architectural drama set in Paris great arch The Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF) opens on October 31st and will be director Kent Jones’ second feature film. fame in later years The Swiss event concludes on November 9th.
85 productions, comprising 36 films, 25 series and 24 immersive experiences, will be screened across the festival and its four competition sections: International Feature, International Series, International Immersive and the Future Is Wise competition. Later sections feature projects in all three formats.
A conversation event with American television writer Alan Ball, who won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, is also planned. american beauty He has produced television programs such as six feet under, true blood and banshee and two-time Oscar-nominated veteran British film director Stephen Frears. The Grifters and queen – He made his feature directorial debut in 1971. gumshoe.
of the ball american beauty and uncle frank will be screened as part of the festival’s lineup, giving audiences the opportunity to see several of Frears’ films, including: dangerous relationship and my beautiful laundromat.
Nathalie Nass, one of the leading media and cultural figures in French-speaking Switzerland, will give the keynote address, as well as events celebrating the region, with a focus on the Netherlands, and the work of French-Canadian film director Jean-Marc Vallée.
“Creative boldness”
The parallel Geneva Digital Market (GDM) will be held from 3 to 6 November at the Pitoev Theater, GIF’s main venue for the second year after relocating from the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation’s studios, following positive feedback from last year’s participants who enjoyed being at the heart of the festival’s activities.
Focused on audiovisual innovation, this year’s GDM will feature a distinctive mix of masterclasses, discussions and networking opportunities.
One of the anticipated events will examine the potential for XR productions to move from virtual reality headsets to more traditional screens to become high-impact films and series.
“In France, Japan and other countries, we are seeing more and more immersive works based on IP,” said Anais Emery, GIFF Artistic Director. screen. “Original XR and VR projects are now being used as inspiration and sources for new IP to be developed into films and TV series.”
Speakers include Eloise Singer, Emmy-nominated and multi-award-winning producer, writer, director, and founder of Singer Studios; He produced and directed “The Pirate Queen” (2024) starring Lucy Liu, “Trailblazer” (2025) starring Daisy Ridley, and was an executive producer on “Rare Beasts” and “The Last Rifleman.”
She will be joined by Britain’s Liz Rosenthal, curator of Venice Immersive and Venice Immersive Market, and Virginie Bejo, commissioning editor at Arte Interactive, to consider the challenges and opportunities.
“You can feel the world of XR, VR, film and television coming closer and closer,” Emery said. “There are opportunities for creators.”
Further GDM events, led by GDM Industry Director Mathieu Gayet, who returns for his third year in the role, will include the evolution of YouTube over two decades and its impact on emerging platforms and content creation, critical issues arising from AI and intellectual property, fiction in the era of user-generated content from studios to smartphones, and more.
“Our choices in all forms of GIFF and GDM this year contain our DNA,” says Emery. “We want to provide a space that celebrates multiple voices, encourages creative boldness, fosters encounter, and opens unexpected paths to discovery. This mission may seem obvious, but behind the scenes it becomes more demanding every year as global and societal issues become more complex.”
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