Visions du Réel '23

Produced by Hanne Phlypo of Clin d’oeil Films, the 6-part Flemish series about female cartoonists from global hot spots is directed by seven female directors. The first of the series, Behind The Lines (Alisar Hassan & Alaa Amer) from Syria, world-premiered at Canneséries in Documentary Competition. The feature version of Behind The Lines world premieres at Vision du Rèel 2023.

Emilie Bujès, head of the Swiss doc fest Visions du Réel, outlines the appeal of an event that does more than most to extend the boundaries of documentary. The festival presents 163 films in 2023, and special guests include international luminaries Lucrecia Martel and Alice Rohrwacher, and Swiss director Jean-Stéphane Bron. “It’s more ‘visions’ than ‘réel’ in terms of what we are interested in,” Bujès tells BDE. “It’s more people looking at something, rather than the something itself.”

In total 33 prizes will be handed out for films and projects during the Festival and Industry Awards ceremonies held 26 and 28 April respectively. The headline International Feature Film Competition jury comprises Florence Almozini, David Epiney and Kleber Mendonça Filho who will deliberate over 14 films before handing out the Grand Jury Prize (CHF 20,000) and the Special Jury (CHF 10,000). All juries…

“The real is out there,” says the Swiss doc festival ahead of its 54th edition that comprises a “powerful and dazzling programme that showcases the strength of contemporary non-fiction filmmaking.” VdR 2023 will screen 163 films, including 82 world, 11 international, 2 European and 26 Swiss premieres, and welcomes three main guests: Argentinian Lucrecia Martel, Italian Alice Rohrwacher and Swiss Jean-Stéphane Bron.

The Swiss fest has unveiled the project selections for VdR-Industry, namely VdR-Pitching, VdR-Work in Progress and VdR-Rough Cut Lab. Aimed at filmmakers and producers, the VdR-Industry platform is “a springboard for audiovisual creation, offering support at every stage of production, concrete financing and distribution opportunities, as well as an inspiring and productive networking hub for the industry.”

The Special Guest of the upcoming Visions du Réel (Nyon, Switzerland, 21-30 April 2023) will be Oscar-nominated, multi award-winning Italian director, screenwriter and editor Alice Rohrwacher, whose “daring vision” will be showcased in a masterclass (Saturday 22 April) and during a retrospective of her fiction, hybrid and documentary work.

Visions du Réel will celebrate Argentinian filmmaker and screenwriter Lucrecia Martel by presenting her an Honorary Award during its 54th edition (April 21–30, 2023). A major figure in contemporary film and a leading name in the New Argentine Cinema, Lucrecia Martel will give a masterclass during the event, which will "explore her body of work and her relationship with reality."