Geneva International Film Festival – Switzerland 2025

Background & History

Founded in 1995, the Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF) is Geneva’s oldest film festival and one of the first globally to integrate television programming. A hub for cinematic, television, and digital creation, GIFF showcases films, series, interactive installations, and virtual reality works over ten days, attracting approximately 35,000 attendees.

The festival emphasizes experimentation and cross-disciplinary collaboration, featuring the Geneva Digital Market (GDM), a unique Swiss platform for audiovisual innovation since 2014. Supported by the City and State of Geneva, the Federal Office of Culture, and private partners, GIFF is recognized as a key player in Switzerland’s audiovisual sector. Under the leadership of Executive and Artistic Director Anaïs Emery, the festival promotes diverse genres and fosters industry dialogue through events like GDM talks and immersive experiences.

Event Highlights

• Film and Series Screenings: Features 120 works, including 57 films, 32 series, and 31 digital projects, with Swiss premieres like Polite Society and The Sweet East, and international series such as Teenage Kiss: The Future Is Dead.
• Immersive Experiences: Virtual Territories offers VR projects like Evolver (narrated by Cate Blanchett) and interactive installations like Les aveugles, showcasing cutting-edge audiovisual technology.
• Geneva Digital Market (GDM): A four-day event (November 3–6, 2025) with over 800 professionals discussing topics like AI and the metaverse, including talks like “Gamification of Cinema: How to Shoot Your Next Film in the Metaverse?”
• Nuits Blanches: Free late-night screenings and events, open to all with reservations, fostering a festive atmosphere.
• Awards and Tributes: Includes the Reflet d’Or for Best Series ($11,000 USD prize) and Best Immersive Experience, plus honors for figures like Nicolas Winding Refn and Alexandre Astier.

Date & Duration

Dates: October 31 – November 9, 2025
Duration: 10 days
Additional Program: Geneva Digital Market, November 3–6, 2025

Venue / Location

Main Address: Maison Communale de Plainpalais, Rue de Carouge 52, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland (primary venue for screenings and ticket office).
Additional Locations: All events occur in the city of Geneva, Switzerland, at the following venues:

• Maison des Arts du Grütli: Rue du Général-Dufour 16, 1204 Geneva (screenings and events)
• Pitoëff Theatre: Rue de Carouge 52, 1205 Geneva (adjacent to Maison Communale, used for major screenings)
• GIFF Headquarters: Rue de Chantepoulet 1, 1201 Geneva (administrative and GDM hub)
• Cinéma Dynamo (HEAD – Genève): Boulevard James-Fazy 15, 1201 Geneva (immersive and digital programs)
• Virtual Territories Locations: Various venues across Geneva, including pop-up VR installations (specific addresses announced closer to the festival)
  City and Country: Geneva, Switzerland

Contact Information

Email: info@giff.ch
Phone: +41 22 809 69 20 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM)
Address: Geneva International Film Festival, Rue de Chantepoulet 1, CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland
Website: giff.ch
Social Media: giff.ch (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn)

Ticket Information

• Cinema & Series Screenings:
  • Full Price: $21 USD (19 CHF)
  • Reduced Rate (pensioners, unemployed, AI, UNIRESO members): $16 USD (14 CHF)
  • Youth Rate (students, apprentices, under 20): $11 USD (10 CHF)
  • “20 years / 20 francs” (age 20 budget rate): $9 USD (8 CHF)
• Conferences & GDM Talks:
  • Standard: $11 USD (10 CHF)
  • “20 years / 20 francs”: $5.50 USD (5 CHF)
• Immersive Experiences (e.g., Virtual Territories): Same pricing as cinema/series: $9–$21 USD (8–19 CHF)
• Free Access: Nuits Blanches and GDM sessions (with accreditation) are free, requiring reservations.
• Multi-entry Cards (2025 pricing TBD, based on 2024):
  • 5-entry Card: ~$88 USD (80 CHF)
  • 10-entry Card: Price not specified, likely ~$160–$180 USD based on proportional scaling
• Sales Channels: Tickets available online at giff.ch from September 2025, or at physical outlets like Maison Communale de Plainpalais (Rue de Carouge 52) and Maison des Arts du Grütli (Rue du Général-Dufour 16). All sessions require reservations, including free events.
• Accreditation: GDM accreditation requests open September 2, 2025, for free access to professional sessions.

Cultural Experience

The Geneva International Film Festival immerses attendees in a dynamic blend of cinema, television, and digital innovation. Screenings at venues like Maison des Arts du Grütli showcase diverse genres, from avant-garde films to mainstream series, while VR installations in Virtual Territories push the boundaries of storytelling. The GDM fosters industry dialogue, with talks on AI and virtual reality shaping the future of media. Nuits Blanches offers a vibrant, accessible nightlife component, with free screenings under Geneva’s autumn sky. The festival celebrates creativity and diversity, honoring bold artists like Lars von Trier and Alice Diop, and engages local communities through GIFF Unlimited’s year-round cultural outreach.

Food & Drinks

• Must-Try Specialties: Festival venues like Maison Communale de Plainpalais feature pop-up bars with Swiss wines ($5–$10 USD), local beers ($3–$7 USD), and snacks like raclette or pretzels ($5–$12 USD). Nearby Old Town restaurants offer fondue and Geneva specialties like longeole sausage ($15–$30 USD).
• Festival Bars: Managed by Ludovic Cachin, bars at Pitoëff Theatre and Maison des Arts du Grütli serve light meals and drinks, with prices ranging from $3–$15 USD.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: GIFF offers youth-oriented screenings and workshops, suitable for ages 12 and up, with discounted youth rates ($11 USD). Interactive VR experiences in Virtual Territories engage younger audiences, though some content may be mature.
• Accessibility: Venues like Maison Communale de Plainpalais and Maison des Arts du Grütli are wheelchair-accessible, with elevators and adapted restrooms. Cobblestone streets in Geneva’s Old Town may pose challenges. Free UNIRESO transport passes, included with festival tickets, cover accessible buses and trams.

Getting There

• By Air: Geneva Airport (GVA), 6 km from the city center, offers direct flights from major European and global cities. Taxis or trains (6-minute ride to Geneva Cornavin Station) cost $5–$10 USD.
• Public Transport: Geneva’s Old Town venues are served by trams and buses. Free UNIRESO transport passes, included with tickets or hotel stays, cover all public transport. Key stops include Plainpalais (for Maison Communale) and Rive (for Maison des Arts du Grütli).
• Parking: Limited parking near Old Town venues due to festival crowds. Use Parking du Mont-Blanc (Quai du Mont-Blanc, 1201 Geneva, ~$2–$4 USD/hour) or Parking Plainpalais (Rue de Carouge, 1205 Geneva).
• Traffic Restrictions: Expect road closures around Maison Communale de Plainpalais and Pitoëff Theatre during peak festival times. Check giff.ch for updates.

Geneva Digital Market (GDM)

Held November 3–6, 2025, the GDM is Switzerland’s only event dedicated to audiovisual innovation, attracting over 800 professionals. It features masterclasses, roundtables, and talks on topics like AI and the metaverse, with past sessions including “Gamification of Cinema.” Free with accreditation (requests open September 2, 2025), it fosters networking and industry trends at GIFF’s headquarters (Rue de Chantepoulet 1).

GIFF Unlimited Program

GIFF Unlimited extends the festival’s reach year-round through partnerships with Swiss and international institutions. It organizes pop-up events, screenings, and workshops, promoting cultural outreach and audiovisual innovation. Coordinated by Mélinda Iuliano, these programs engage local communities and complement the main festival’s offerings.

Awards & Competitions

GIFF hosts four competition sections: International Feature, International Series, International Immersive, and Convergent (mixed formats). The Reflet d’Or awards include $11,000 USD for Best Series and Best Immersive Experience, judged by international experts. Honorary awards, like the Geneva Award and Film & Beyond Award, celebrate innovative filmmakers. Past recipients include Nicolas Winding Refn and Alexandre Astier.

Additional Services

• Ticketing Support: Managed by Alba Lage, available at Maison Communale de Plainpalais and online at giff.ch.
• Technical Support: Michael Pfenninger (projection) and Adrien Boulanger (infrastructure) ensure seamless screenings and VR setups.
• Festival Merchandise: GIFF-branded items like posters and tote bags are available at venues, starting at $5 USD.
• Live Streaming: Select screenings and GDM talks are streamed on giff.ch, with recordings available post-festival (~$5–$10 USD).
• Volunteer Opportunities: Interns and volunteers, thanked by GIFF, assist with operations, welcoming applications via giff.ch.