For over 60 years, the Solothurn Film Festival has offered the showcase of Swiss films each last week of January. From January 21 to 28, 2026, the 61st edition will once again focus on domestic film productions in all its facets. As the main media partner, SRG supports the festival and is represented with a strong presence: 58 of the total 164 films shown were co-produced by the SRG.
Highlights include the opening film 'The Narrative'. It traces the case of Kweku Adoboli, once celebrated UBS investment banker in London. As long as billions flow, he is considered a high achiever of a risk-taking system. However, after a trading error resulting in a loss of over 2.3 billion dollars, systemic failure turns into a personal guilt story. 'Kalari Kid - She Hits Back' is also noteworthy, showing how two girls in a society marked by gender-based violence find self- empowerment and fight for freedom with the help of Kalari, the world's oldest martial art, to become the women they want to be in India. 'Lydia - Notes from the Madhouse' portrays the historical portrait of Lydia Welti-Escher, who as Alfred Escher's daughter battles societal constraints for a self- determined life and is consigned by her husband to a psychiatric clinic. In contrast, 'Becaària' tells of Mario, a 16-year-old from a village in Ticino, who in 1977 searches for his place amidst school troubles, awkward first attempts at love, and conflicts with his father, and experiences formative lessons about life, love, and himself as a farmhand in the mountains one summer.
Focus on exchange, further education and industry view
Since 2024, the Solothurn Film Festival has bundled its networking and further education offerings in the industry's SO PRO programme. The goal is a professional yet informal exchange between the various actors of the film industry. During the festival week, a three-day programme takes place that allows accredited participants access to pitching sessions, information events, case studies, workshops and networking events. On Friday, January 23, SRG's General Director Susanne Wille and Head of Film SRG, Sven Wälti, will offer insights into current challenges of the industry at the Stadttheater. The event will be held in German and French with simultaneous translation.
Play Suisse presents a collection of noteworthy festival gems
On the occasion of the Solothurn Film Festival, Play Suisse presents a new collection of films from previous festival years since January 15. Highlights include the 2025 opening film 'The Legacy of Bruno Stefanini'. Director Thomas Haemmerli portrays the eccentric Winterthur real estate tycoon with humour and sharpness, intertwining his life story with central chapters of Swiss social and economic history. 'IDDU - Tales of the Island' focuses on Stromboli, where the volcano shapes the lives of the islanders between tourism and existential threat, raising questions of sustainability. 'Berehynia - Women of Kyiv' follows four editors of 'ELLEUkraine', who continue their magazine despite the war - an intimate portrait of resilience, where normality becomes an act of courage.
Press contact:
SRG SSR Media Office
Nik Leuenberger
medienstelle.srg@srgssr.ch
Tel. 058 136 21 21