Guests & JURYS
THIS LIST WILL BE REGULARLY UPDATED.
FILM & BEYOND
STEPHEN FREARS
FILM & BEYOND – DIRECTOR, PRODUCER – 07.11
At ist 31st edition, the GIFF is delighted to honor the magnificent career of one of the most influential directors of his generation: Stephen Frears. Having made his name with My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) and Prick Up Your Ears (1987), Frears shook up the representation of minorities in British cinema. His unique adaptations propelled his career, and at the turn of the 2000s, he directed the iconic adaptation of the best-selling novel High Fidelity (2000). Stephen Frears focuses his camera on invisible realities, such as immigration in Dirty Pretty Things (2002) and behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace following the death of Lady Diana in The Queen (2006). On television, Sir Stephen Frears established himself as an exceptional creator with the TV movie The Deal (2003) and the series A Very English Scandal (2018) and Quiz (2020). He will receive the Film & Beyond Award in recognition of his prolific and varied work, which combines literature and real events to reveal the beating heart of society, and in a conference, he will reflect on his inspiring journey as well as his unique perspective on British politics and society.
FOCUS alan ball
© Paul Smith
ALAN BALL
FOCUS ALAN BALL – DIRECTOR, WRITER – 04.11
For its 31st edition, the GIFF is delighted to welcome a major figure from the golden age of prestige television. Winner of the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for American Beauty (1999), Alan Ball has made a name for himself with his bold, intimate, and often transgressive writing. With Six Feet Under (2001-2005), he redefined the family series by combining grief, the search for identity, and sensitive portrayals of human relationships. He followed this with True Blood (2008-2014), an adaptation of Charlaine Harris’ novels, where fantasy, horror, and social criticism combine to question otherness, sexuality, power, and norms.
With Banshee (2013–2016), Ball affirmed his ability to renew narrative codes. Finally, Uncle Frank (2020) reveals a more personal approach, delicately addressing the themes of exile, family, and homosexuality. Alan Ball will participate in a moderated conference on November 20, 2025, and his major works will be presented at GIFF and on CANAL+.
Tales of Swiss Innovation
NATHALIE NATH
TALES OF SWISS INNOVATION – PRODUCER – 02.11
This year, the GIFF pays tribute to one of the key figures in the media and cultural sector in French-speaking Switzerland: Nathalie Nath. In 1965, she joined Télévision Suisse Romande (TSR), where she created several programs aimed at young audiences, including Canal 18/25, an innovative magazine show that provoked strong reactions in political and media circles. The daring subjects of Nathalie Nath’s programs were perceived as subversive in the tense climate at TSR, and she was unfairly dismissed in 1971. However, she continued her career in the fields of communication, theater, and cinema before returning to TSR in 1994. Retired in 2006 but still passionate, Nathalie Nath continued to produce and direct until 2014. As part of the Festival, Nathalie Nath will give a lecture as well as a selection of programs highlighting her unique career and character.
