Swiss Funding Bodies ‘Talk Money’ and Co-Financing Opportunities at Locarno: ‘We Create a Space Where Stories Take Shape’

variety.com:

Marta Balaga For Switzerland’s SRG SSR, the main goal is keeping co-producers “happy,” said Gregory Catella at Locarno. “We profit from this success and visibility.

Our financial participation isn’t huge – for us, it’s more about prestige. The films and the minority co-productions that come to us aim for international recognition at the festivals.” Speaking during the Switzerland and Co-Financing Opportunities for Independent Films panel, Catella encouraged Locarno Pro’s participants to apply for the so-called Audiovisual Pact. “I know you are here to talk money, so let’s talk money,” he said, revealing the Pact now has 34 million CHF ($39.2 million) to offer: a number that went up by 1.5 million. “The aim of this augmentation is not to make more films or series but to better finance our co-productions.

Costs rise,” he noted. While Audiovisual Pact – which offers up to 10 million CHF ($11.5 million) for feature films and 2 million ($2.3 million) for animation – is aimed at Swiss co-productions, it’s possible to “jump in” as an international co-producer.

Now, also when working on documentary series for broadcast and for platforms. However, potential applicants should start with the Federal Office of Culture, which offers a selective fund and an automatic fund based on theatrical releases and festival participants of previous films.