AI, Emerging Talent Development, International Co-Productions: How Do We Shape the Future of Swiss Television Shows?
Register NowThis question will be explored in three expert panels from multiple perspectives at this year's "SRF Writer's Day," held on Monday, October 7, at Folium (Sihlcity).
At the "SRF Writer’s Day" 2024, writers, producers, and young talents will exchange ideas about the challenges and latest developments in the Swiss film industry. Attendees can look forward to three engaging expert panels and meaningful discussions. As an emerging talent, you will gain valuable industry insights directly from professionals. The afternoon will be hosted by SRF film journalist Michael Sennhauser.
Attending the "SRF Writer's Day" is free. However, registration is required even for those with Industry accreditation.
Program 2024:
15:00 – 15:55: AI in Screenwriting: Practical Insights and Experiences
Artificial intelligence has been the hot topic for months, and it will be discussed at the "SRF Writer’s Day" as well. What experiences have been gained in screenwriting with AI? What works, and what doesn't? In the first panel, Peter Luisi (director of the AI-written film THE LAST SCREENWRITER ), Oliver Schütte (author of Writing the Future – AI Tools for Writers), and Benjamin Magnin (executive of the SRF AI series project) will share their findings and insights as of yet.
16:15 – 17:05: Successfully Writing and Producing Internationally
Alongside new technologies, legal changes are also transforming the Swiss film industry. With the new film law, international co-productions are becoming increasingly important for Swiss writers and producers. In the second panel, writer Hanno Hackfort (KLEO), writer Annette Hess (author of DEUTSCHES HAUS , KU'DAMM, WIR KINDER VOM BAHNHOF ZOO), and other film professionals will discuss the success factors and pitfalls of international co-productions.
17:30 – 18:15: How to Launch an International Career from Switzerland as an Emerging Talent?
The final panel discussion is dedicated to talent development. Swiss writers can apply for positions in international development programs. But how can a young talent secure one of these coveted spots, and what can they expect from such a program? Lisa Kreimeyer (Manager for German-language series at Netflix), Pascal Glatz (co-writer of TSCHUGGER and MALONEY), Marc Mounier (producer and manager for writers at Entertainment 360), and Eszter Angyalosy (Head of Studies at TorinoFilmLab) will talk about international talent development.
18:15 – 19:30: Networking Aperitif
After the panels, you will have the opportunity to network with the experts and other participants in a relaxed atmosphere. If you get hungry, there are various food options available in Sihlcity.
At the 19th Zurich Film Festival (September 28 - October 8, 2023), "SRF Writer's Day" focused on the early stages of screenplay writing and story development. On October 2, three expert panels highlighted various aspects of Swiss screenwriting. Discussions covered successful Swiss stories, international production experiences, and the challenges of screenplay writing.
SRF Panel: Global success
Julia Penner began her career as an actress before transitioning to screenwriting. She has achieved notable success with projects such as 37 SEKUNDEN, DRUCK, and most recently, DAVOS 1917. Her passion for writing also led her to co-found the writing collective Q3. Alexander Seibt became widely known as a co-founder of the Zurich OFF OFF stage and as a member of the ensemble at the Theater am Neumarkt. In addition to his acting skills, he has made a mark as a writer, whether for plays, sports columns, or screenplays (such as WILDER and DIE NACHBARN VON OBEN), always working with major companies like Disney+, Odeon Fiction, and more recently, Netflix. Stefan Brunner, a graduate of the prestigious Filmakademie in Vienna, achieved early success with his graduation film BLACKSTORY. He gained broad recognition in 2020 with the ORF and Netflix co-production FREUD and in 2023 we celebrated his latest work ZÜRI BRENNT at the 19th Zurich Film Festival.
ZFF Masterclass: Michael Noer
Michael Noer is a Danish film director and screenwriter known for creating complex characters such as Rune from his debut feature R and the mother-daughter duo from his film BIRTHDAY GIRL, which had its world premiere at the 19th Zurich Film Festival. Michael's screenwriting is distinguished by its ability to captivate audiences as they explore his intriguing characters. Recently, he has also demonstrated his skills in writing for the television series HUSET.
The 18th Zurich Film Festival (22.09.-2.10.22) was all about how humor and how to write funny. Helen Fielding, the creator of the character Bridget Jones, spoke in a ZFF Masterclass about how a 'funny' cult character is formed on paper. The session was followed by a SRF panel with Natascha Beller, Viktor Giacobbo, André Küttel and Willibald Ruch, who discussed how humor in Switzerland sells the best.
SRF Panel: Humor sells
Natascha Beller regularly produces fits of laughter, whether with the film Die fruchtbaren Jahre sind vorbei or as the author of Advent, Advent and the viral hit America First, Switzerland Second. Viktor Giacobbo collects job titles - he's even been called the "madam of Swiss humor." André Küttel is a thoroughbred writer: his clients include Michael Elsener and Massimo Rocchi. He is currently writing for the SRF series Die Beschatter. Willibald Ruch is a professor of personality psychology and diagnostics and has been researching the mechanisms of humor for decades.
ZFF Masterclass: Helen Fielding
Helen Fielding is a British novelist screenwriter and journalist, and creator of the character Bridget Jones . Helen is author of six globally bestselling novels including "Bridget Jones Diary", "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason", "Bridget Jones’Baby", and "Bridget Jones: Mad about the boy". She was part of the screenwriting team for the first three Bridget movies and is currently writing and developing the fourth. She spent many years working in BBC entertainment and later as a journalist for the BBC and newspapers in Britain as well as East Africa. She divides her time between London and Los Angeles.
Impressions
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