Nicola Ruffo is the new director of SWISS FILMS, the national film promotion agency tasked with boosting the visibility of Swiss movies abroad.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/ts
“The cinematic landscape is in transition. In times of change, I am very happy to give, together with my team, Swiss films and filmmakers a strong visibility locally and globally,” Ruffo, 41, said in a statementExternal link on Wednesday.
“I am fascinated by the diversity and potential of the Swiss film scene. I am happy to use my interdisciplinary experience to help shape the future of Swiss filmmaking with the international network of SWISS FILMS.”
Ruffo, who will take up his position on July 1, previously worked as head of public programs at Swissnex in San Francisco.
He studied Media and Film Studies as well as International Relations at the University of Zurich and the Free University of Berlin. From 2002 to 2010 he was a board member of Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur, where he curated several short film programmes in addition to the International Competition.
Ruffo certainly has his work cut out. The Covid-19 pandemic has been a horror story not only for cinemas and film festivals in Switzerland but all around the world. Ticket sales at Swiss cinemas plummeted by two-thirds last year as venues were forced to close their doors.
His predecessor, Catherine Ann Berger, headed SWISS FILMS for almost eight years. Based in Zurich and Geneva, the agency carries out its work on behalf of the Federal Office of CultureExternal link through consulting, support measures and promotional services.
More
More
Will there be a happy ending for Swiss cinemas?
This content was published on
A Swiss cinema-owner explains the psychological drama facing the industry since March 16, when all cinemas had to shut.
This content was published on
With audiences of half a million in Switzerland and 2.4 million worldwide, Alain Gsponer’s remake of Heidi has been hailed as the most successful film in the history of Swiss cinema. This claim is hard to verify, due to the lack of statistics. Anyway, what makes a Swiss film?
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
This content was published on
The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
This content was published on
The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
Swiss minister: Italy will back Switzerland in EU talks
This content was published on
Bern can count on the backing of Italy as it re-enters talks with the European Union on future relations, Viola Amherd says.
Student protestors at University of Lausanne continue pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
Since Thursday, a hall on campus has been occupied by students calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and a ceasefire in Gaza.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.