Posted on : By : VIFFF Posted in : VIFFF 2025 (ENG)

ÉC’RIRE: A Comedy Screenwriting Residency – Apply Now!

RÉSIDENCE ÉC'RIRE

The VIFFF Comedy Screenwriting Residency is back!

For the second year running, the VIFFF is offering a one-week residency for French-language comedy screenwriters. A unique opportunity to develop a feature-length project in an inspiring setting, with guidance from an experienced screenwriter.

Who is it for?
Writers currently working on a French-language comedy feature screenplay, with a first draft of a full script already written.

Where?
In Vevey, Switzerland, in an apartment overlooking Lake Geneva, right in the heart of the old town.

When?
From October 19 to 26, 2025, during the 11th edition of the VIFFF.

How to apply?
By sending a complete application by June 1, 2025.

All details regarding the required documents, selection criteria, and the residency process can be found in the application file below.

ÉC’RIRE: Application Guidelines (PDF in French only)

With the support of:
– Nestlé
– Cultural Fund of the Swiss Society of Authors (SSA)
– Suissimage

The VIFFF also wishes to thank:
City of Vevey, Fonds Culturel Riviera, Loterie Romande
Brentano Foundation, Sandoz Foundation

Continue reading "ÉC’RIRE: A Comedy Screenwriting Residency – Apply Now!"
Posted on : By : VIFFF Posted in : VIFFF 2025 (ENG)

Heads or Fails at Cinématographe

The VIFFF is teaming up with the Cinématographe in Lausanne to celebrate the release of Heads or Fails, winner of the Youth Jury Award at the latest edition of the festival.
Don’t miss this unique chance to discover the new comedy by Lenny and Harpo Guit (Mother Schmuckers, VIFFF d’Or 2021)!

Two special screenings:

  • Wednesday, April 9: screening presented by the VIFFF, with drinks and snacks offered from 7 PM

  • Saturday, April 19: screening with lead actress María Cavalier-Bazan in attendance

More info and ticketing on the Cinématographe website.

Continue reading "Heads or Fails at Cinématographe"
Posted on : By : VIFFF Posted in : VIFFF 2024 (ENG)

A decade of comedy: VIFFF’s 10th edition shines bright

Five days of festivities, over 9,000 attendees, 72 screenings, 21 countries represented, prestigious guests – including Vladimir Cosma and Franck Dubosc – and a flurry of new experiences… The 10th edition of VIFFF surpassed all our expectations!

To mark this anniversary, the festival introduced a range of exciting new features. A free Open Air cinema was set up by the lake on the Place du Marché, offering a magical and unifying setting to enjoy comedies under the stars. The “ÉC’RIRE” screenwriting residency and a roundtable discussion with comedy writers strengthened VIFFF’s ambition to become a true professional hub for comedy development.

The festival also put a strong spotlight on the richness of the region: the “Rivierahaha” programme showcased local talent through a curated selection of short films, while the “Virées du VIFFF” brought the festival experience to surrounding towns and cultural venues. Audiences were also captivated by bold events combining cinema with theatrical improvisation, as well as hands-on creative workshops.

With audience numbers growing by over 50% in just two years – from 6,000 in 2022 to 9,100 in 2024 – VIFFF has firmly established itself as an essential player on the cultural scene. Even more gratifying: this milestone was achieved without ever losing the authenticity and warmth that have defined the spirit of the festival since day one.

The VIFFF extends its heartfelt thanks to its dedicated team, loyal audience, and valued partners for their trust and support!

Continue reading "A decade of comedy: VIFFF’s 10th edition shines bright"
Posted on : By : VIFFF Posted in : VIFFF 2024 (ENG)

2024 Award Winners

The international jury, composed of Émilie Noblet, Mélanie Toubeau, and Catherine Simard, awarded the VIFFF d’Or for Best Feature Film (CHF 2,000) to Kidnapping, Inc. by Bruno Mourral.
“Led by a fantastic duo of actors, Kidnapping, Inc. is a drama that approaches a serious and socially grounded topic with a deceptively light touch. Its direction draws from a wide range of influences—from the Coen Brothers to Tarantino, even video games. A bold comedy that sheds light on Haiti’s harsh reality.”
Actress Anabel Lopez, present at the closing ceremony, accepted the award on behalf of the film’s team.

The Youth Jury, made up of five young cinephiles, honored Aimer perdre by Lenny & Harpo Guit with the Youth Jury Award (CHF 500, sponsored by the Brentano Foundation):
“For its daring and offbeat narrative and visual style, which takes us on a meandering journey with an anti-heroine as detestable as she is captivating and oddly endearing—we loved to hate Aimer perdre.”
Following the success of their debut feature Mother Schmuckers (Fils de plouc), which won both the VIFFF d’Or and the Youth Jury Award in 2021, the Guit brothers are now the first filmmakers to receive both prizes twice. They accepted the award in person, joined on stage by actors María Cavalier-Bazan and Michael Zindel, as well as producer David Borgeaud.
The Youth Jury also gave a Special Mention to Timestalker by Alice Lowe.

The RTS Audience Award for Best Comedy (CHF 500) went to the musical comedy Dans la cuisine des Nguyen by Stéphane Ly-Cuong. The director and lead actress Clotilde Chevalier were present in Vevey.

In the Short Film category, the Audience Award (CHF 500, offered by Clap.ch) was awarded to Les Mystérieuses aventures de Claude Conseil by Paul Jousselin and Marie-Lola Terver.

 

International Competition
VIFFF D'OR

Kidnapping, Inc.
Bruno Mourral
2024 / Haïti, France / 1h47 / 16 (16)

Awarded by the jury, composed of Mélanie Toubeau, Émilie Noblet and Catherine Simard


CHF 2,000 donated by VIFFF

Young Jury Prize

Aimer Perdre
Lenny & Harpo Guit
2024 / Belgique / 1h26 / 16 (16)

CHF 500 donated by the Brentano Foundation

Audience Award

Dans la cuisine des Nguyen
Stéphane Ly-Cuong
2024 / France / 1h40 / 12 (14) 

CHF 500 donated by RTS

Short Film Competition
Audience Award

Les Mystérieuses Aventures
de Claude Conseil
Marie-Lola Terver & Paul Jousselin
2023 / France / 24’

CHF 500 donated by Clap.ch

Continue reading "2024 Award Winners"
Posted on : By : VIFFF Posted in : VIFFF 2024 (ENG)

Guests and jury

Meet the Guests of VIFFF 2024!

A vibrant 10th edition awaits! Alongside renowned talents such as Vladimir Cosma, Franck Dubosc, and Benoît Delépine, the festival welcomes a new generation of voices in contemporary comedic cinema.

Get ready for unforgettable moments of conversation, cinephilia, and laughter!

Jury 2024
Émilie Noblet
membre du jury et réalisatrice de "Bis Repetita"
Mélanie Toubeau
membre du jury
Catherine Simard
membre du jury et actrice dans "Farador"
Vladimir Cosma: VIFFF 2024 guest of honor
Vladimir Cosma
invité d'honneur
Stéphane Gobbo
modérateur de la masterclass
International Competition
Stéphane Ly-Cuong
Dans la cuisine des Nguyen (réalisateur)
Clotilde Chevalier
Dans la cuisine des Nguyen (actrice)
Marcus Boereau
Kidnapping, Inc. (acteur)
Rolaphton Mercure
Kidnapping, Inc. (acteur)
Anabel Lopez
Kidnapping, Inc. (actrice)
Harpo Guit
Aimer Perdre (réalisateur)
Lenny Guit
Aimer Perdre (réalisateur)
María Cavalier-Bazan
Aimer Perdre (actrice)
Michael Zindel
Aimer Perdre (acteur)
David Borgeaud
Aimer Perdre (producteur)
VIFFF Explore
Franck Dubosc
Un ours dans le jura (réalisateur, acteur)
Fabien Luszezyszyn
Mute'n'Play (réalisateur)
Noé Pflieger
Mute'n'Play (acteur)
Nocturnes
Chike Ohanwe
Heavier Trip (acteur)
Catherine Simard
membre du jury et actrice dans "Farador"
Round table: writing a comic script
Benoît Delépine
Sébastien Betbeder
Judith Godinot
Julien Buissoux
Yacine Nemra
modérateur de la table ronde
Short Film Competition
Laurent Hiroyuki Rohrbasser
poong (réalisateur)
Focus Louis de Funès + Ciné quiz
Hugo Alexandre & David Honnorat
de la chaîne YouTube Calmos
CHCHCH : comédies suisses
Claude Beachtold
Riverboom (réalisateur, protagoniste)
Anastasia Fraysse
Bidule Truc 2 (improvisatrice)
Albert Chinet
Bidule Truc 2 (improvisateur)
Loïc Valley
Bidule Truc 2 (improvisateuricex)
Nina Cachelin
Parodie (improvisatrice)
Eric Lecoultre
Parodie (improvisateur)
Adrien Laplana
Parodie (improvisateur)
Alain Ghiringhelli
Parodie (improvisateur)
Continue reading "Guests and jury"
Posted on : By : VIFFF Posted in : VIFFF 2024 (ENG)

The 2024 line-up is now online

PROGRAMME 2024

 (Summaries currently available in French only)

Ten years already!

Ten years of laughter and cinematic discoveries!
In 2014, we launched into this adventure without knowing where it would lead us—but with the certainty that we could count on our passion and the support of amazing people. Today, those foundations remain just as strong, and we are moved and delighted to unveil the program of this new edition!

To celebrate this anniversary with you, we’ve imagined many new additions: a free Open Air screening on Place du Marché, a residency and special events focused on comedy screenwriting, a spotlight on the talent of artists from the Riviera region, and, ahead of the festival, a regional tour through nearby towns and cultural venues in Vevey. We’re also thrilled to explore film music for the very first time, with the immense honor of welcoming Vladimir Cosma as our guest of honor.

With this year’s focuses on comedy in comic books, a tribute to Louis de Funès, and a selection of party-themed films (because birthdays deserve a celebration), we continue to explore the history of comedy as a genre, while doing our utmost to uncover new gems of contemporary comedy. This year’s official selection includes films from 21 different countries, showcasing the richness, boldness, and diversity of the genre.

We look forward to sharing this edition with you—to singing at karaoke, dancing at the RKC, trying our hand at stop-motion animation, chatting over drinks under the Grenette, enjoying a warm soup in front of the Open Air screen, and above all, laughing together in the dark of the movie theatre.
Comedies are never more beautiful than when they are shared.

To the artists, our team, our partners, and our audience: thank you—and here’s to what’s next!

Loïs de Goumoëns & Maryke Oosterhoff
General and Artistic Direction of VIFFF

 

Continue reading "The 2024 line-up is now online"