Visions du Réel 25

In addition to the strong Swiss selections in the Visions du réel programme, VdR–Industry announces 15 new Swiss projects participating within the RTS and SWISS FILMS pitch sessions, as well as in the official VdR–Pitching showcase. In addition, VdR–Industry announces a new partnership with Unifrance to welcome France as the Country of Focus, while also offering up a showcase of diverse new documentaries from Norway.

“I just tried mentally and physically to make myself small and invisible,” Norwegian director and photographer Monica Strømdahl tells BDE how she blended into the background when making her debut feature documentary, Flophouse America (in International Competition in CPH:DOX and also screening in Movies That Matter and Visions Du Reel). The film is set almost entirely within the tiny, cramped hotel room Mikal shares with his alcoholic parents and where he has lived almost all his life.

Running 4-13 April, the programme of the 56th Visions du Réel features 154 films from a record 57 countries. Of the 129 new films presented, 88 are world premieres and a further 12 are international premieres. 58 debut films, including 28 first features, complete the picture with no fewer than 31 Swiss (co)productions (compared with 25 in 2024). The festival will open with the world premiere of the Swiss film Blame by Christian Frei.

The 4-day professional programme of Visions du Réel has selected 28 projects from 28 countries, with a record number of female directors, returning award-winning alumni and a host of new talent. “I hope that this selection will be a welcome reminder of the incredible strength, talent and resilience of these creators, but also of the singular transformative power of a unique, auteur-led documentary cinema,” comments Alice Burgin, Head of VdR-Industry which runs April 6-9.

VdR Industry, the professional arm of Swiss docfest Visions du Réel (April 4-13), announced Feb 28 that it will welcome six country delegations in 2025, and unveiled the juries within its VdR–Industry, Eurimages Co-Production Development and visions sud est sections. Four new awards will be handed out this year, bringing the total prize pot to CHF 80,000 (EUR 85,500). VdR Industry runs April 6-9.

Varejão will give a masterclass in Nyon and will present a retrospective of her films. A filmmaker “deeply attuned to the sensitive world,” Cláudia Varejão has directed 4 feature-length films and 7 shorts, all of which share a strong feminist perspective, tackling themes such as emancipation, personal relationships, intimacy and everyday life. “Her strikingly coherent filmography is filled with moments of great sensitivity, combined with the precision of a photographer's eye,” says Émilie Bujès, VdR Artistic Director.

The Romanian filmmaker's appearance at the next edition of the Festival will be celebrated with a masterclass and a retrospective of all his feature-length works. “Composed of major works, his filmography has made Porumboiu one of the most well-loved and respected European filmmakers of the 21st century,” write festival organisers. The 56th edition of Visions du Réel runs April 4-13.

Visions du Réel announced January 23 that Brit filmmaker Asif Kapadia will be the opening speaker of the 23rd edition of VdR–Industry, the Festival’s four-day programme of activities designed for film professionals. The director, screenwriter and producer has won an Oscar (for Amy), a Grammy, a European Film Award and several BAFTAs. Kapadia will give a masterclass in Nyon on Sunday 6 April.

The Haitian filmmaker’s participation during the 56th edition of the Festival will include a masterclass and a retrospective of his non-fiction work, along with a festival screening of his latest feature film Ernest Cole: Lost and Found prior to its release in Swiss cinemas. The full programme of the 56th edition of Visions du Réel, which will run 4-13 April, will be published on 12 March.