Fantoche International Animation Film Festival

When Fantoche first launched back in 1995, it announced itself as the «new arrival in the Swiss festival landscape, a sapling in the shadow of Zurich’s cultural hothouse.” The founders of Fantoche, Otto Alder, Frank Braun, Suzanne Buchan and Peter Hossli, were inspired by a sense of idealism, by an absolute love of animation, as well as by the desire to open up this «realm of boundless opportunities” to Switzerland.

The aim was to provide the global animation scene with a regular forum in Switzerland, «bringing together exciting, involved people from all around the world (every two years), forging links, showcasing the most dynamic contemporary film form in all its glory, building bridges with other art forms, closing the gap between commerce and art, a real event.”

8000 viewers heeded the first call and made the pilgrimage to the small city of Baden where they watched over 300 short and long animated films from 21 countries. It proved to be a great success and spurred the organizers on to do it again.

Fantoche II and III in 1997 and 1999 carried on seamlessly from the success of the first edition. Organizational and logistical improvements were made, and it became increasingly popular among the general public, enabling Fantoche to make a name for itself in ever increasing national and international circles.