NIFFF 2018: a varied vintage1 one minute reading

Le Regard Libre N° 41 - Thierry Fivaz

For its eighteenth edition, the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) pulled out all the stops. For its coming-of-age, the festival welcomed a flamboyant David Cronenberg to preside over its international jury, and also took pleasure in setting up its splendid Open Air at the Place des Halles in Neuchâtel, further strengthening its link with the city. But the NIFFF's maturity also shines through in its rich and eclectic programming: one hundred and four feature films and sixty shorts screened over nine days.

While some might question the festival's particularly broad definition of the fantasy genre - that all fiction is fantasy - this definition is not the only one. king size guarantees a varied choice of films. And if the crowds and enthusiasm in Neuchâtel's cinemas are anything to go by, it's a particularly effective formula.

All our articles on this year's films edition to read here.

However, if, like every year, the NIFFF presents us with Swiss, European and even worldwide exclusives, nuggets that we carefully and gratefully place on the shelf of our imaginary film library, it also happens that, more abominable than severed heads, a woman murdered every night or an SM party gone wrong, the NIFFF sometimes presents us with horrifying films. Films that aren't frightening at all, but are frightening in their fantastic inconsistency. But does this mean that the NIFFF is not succeeding in its aim? To scare, amaze and question us? Absolutely! And that's why we're looking forward to the next edition.

Write to the author : thierry.fivaz@leregardlibre.com

Photo credit: © Loris S. Musumeci for Le Regard Libre