Prague-based sales agent Filmotor has acquired worldwide rights (excluding Switzerland) to Elephants & Squirrels, the debut feature documentary of Swiss filmmaker Gregor Brändli. The film will world premiere in International Competition at DOK Leipzig on October 27, before screening in the Best of Fests section at IDFA 2025.
Produced by soap factory GmbH and co-produced by SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen, Elephants & Squirrels is distributed in Switzerland by Royal Film (Basel). A 52-minute TV version is currently in post-production and slated for completion in November 2025.
The documentary follows Sri Lankan artist Deneth Piumakshi Veda Arachchige and Uru Warige Wannila Aththo, chief of the Indigenous Wanniyala-Aetto community, as they collaborate to reclaim ancestral remains and cultural artifacts held in Swiss museums. The objects were originally collected in the early 20th century by naturalists Paul and Fritz Sarasin, whose expeditions combined scientific curiosity with colonial violence.
Through this journey, Brändli explores Switzerland’s overlooked colonial entanglements and the broader struggle for cultural restitution and historical accountability.
“We are honored to be working on this film, which meticulously exposes the global colonial structures that persist even in countries without colonial histories, like Switzerland,” said Michaela Cajková, Head of Filmotor. “It’s a complex, vital work that contributes meaningfully to today’s conversations on restitution and scientific supremacy.”
“We’re excited to collaborate with Filmotor,” added Frank Matter of soap factory GmbH. “If we look at their catalogue and the amazing work they do for their films, we think it’s a perfect fit.”
In addition to Elephants & Squirrels, Filmotor will also present two other titles at DOK Leipzig’s industry market: Wider than the Sky by Valerio Jalongo, exploring the philosophical dimensions of AI, and Better Go Mad in the Wild by Miro Remo, winner at Karlovy Vary IFF, which screens in the Audience Competition as its German premiere.
