The Solothurn Film Festival, Switzerland’s premier showcase for national cinema, has unveiled an ambitious programme for its 2026 edition, with a strong focus on emerging directors from alpine regions. The festival, which runs from January 22 to 29, will screen over 160 films from Swiss and international filmmakers working at the intersection of mountain culture and modern storytelling.
New Voices from the Mountains
Among the most anticipated entries is Gletscherlicht (Glacier Light), a debut feature by Bernese director Lena Gerber that chronicles three generations of a farming family in the Oberland as they confront the realities of climate change. The film premiered to standing ovations at the Locarno Film Festival last summer and has been tipped for a Golden Eye nomination.
“Swiss cinema is experiencing a renaissance. Young filmmakers are drawing on our alpine heritage to tell stories that resonate with global audiences.” — Niccolò Castelli, Festival Director
Industry Focus: Co-Productions and Funding
A dedicated industry programme will examine the future of Swiss film funding, with panels featuring representatives from the Federal Office of Culture, Cinéforom, and the Zürich Film Foundation. The Swiss film industry produced 237 feature and documentary films in 2025, a record number that reflects growing institutional support and international co-production partnerships.
The festival will also host a retrospective of the works of Claude Goretta, the late Genevan director whose contributions to Swiss francophone cinema shaped an entire generation of filmmakers. Five of Goretta’s most celebrated films will be screened in newly restored 4K prints.
Audience Engagement and Access
For the first time, the Solothurn Film Festival will offer a hybrid viewing option, allowing audiences across Switzerland to stream selected screenings through a dedicated platform. Organisers expect this initiative to increase viewership by an estimated 40 percent, extending the festival’s reach beyond the small city of Solothurn to Swiss households nationwide.
