07/02/2011

The job of Film Section head at the Swiss Federal Office for Culture didn’t remain vacant for long. As a replacement for Nicolas Bideau, who left his post on November 30, 2010, Jean-Frédéric Jauslin has appointed Ivo Kummer (52), a producer and head of the Solothurn Film Festival for the past 23 years. Until he takes up the position, on August 1 at the latest, Laurent Steiert (see news) will be acting head of the Film Section.

The news, which was announced on Friday, came as a surprise to the Swiss press: since Bideau took over as head of the Film Section in 2005, Kummer has continually criticised the Swiss-French professional’s policies, particularly his advocating dialogue between the profession and the state-run film support body.

A connoisseur of Swiss cinema which he showcases at the Solothurn Film Festival and involved in production through the company Insert Films, Kummer will take up his post amidst a calmer atmosphere.

Indeed, film professionals didn’t wait for the appointment of Bideau’s successor to strive for a more democratic and transparent functioning of the expert committees, which has been a bone of contention for several years. Marc Wehrlin (Bideau’s predecessor) was appointed by federal councillor Didier Burkhalter as a “facilitator” to restore a climate of trust and listening between the Confederation and film circles. At his instigation, a new system of expertise for selective funding has already been brought into effect.

(Translated from French)