On Tuesday 23 September, the members of the Foundation Board elected Philippe Bischof to succeed Raymond Loretan as Chairman of the Foundation Board of Visions du Réel. Philippe Bischof will assume his responsibilities immediately.
Last January, at the end of his sixth year as Chairman of the Foundation Board, Raymond Loretan announced that he would be stepping down after the 56th edition in 2025, leaving his successor with a thriving festival that continues to grow. As a token of its deep gratitude, and to thank him for his outstanding commitment, the Foundation Board has today appointed him Honorary Chairman.
After working as a director and playwright in several Swiss and European theatres, Philippe Bischof managed the Südpol cultural centre in Lucerne between 2008 and 2011. He served as Head of the Department of Culture for the canton of Basel-Stadt between 2011 and 2017, before becoming Director of the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia from November 2017 to June 2025. Philippe Bischof takes up his position as Chairman of the Foundation Board today. This new appointment will aim to further consolidate Visions du Réel’s position as one of the leading international non-fiction film festivals, while strengthening its role as a key player in the Swiss cultural landscape and the second largest festival at national level, particularly in terms of film launches.
“It is a great honour and a wonderful responsibility that the Visions du Réel festival in Nyon has entrusted me with, in appointing me Chairman of the Foundation Board. I am very much looking forward to continuing to work with the directors, the entire team and my colleagues on the Foundation Board to develop this festival of national and global importance. With all its diversity and cinematographic excellence, more than ever documentary filmmaking now offers the opportunity to spark discussion about the realities of our lives. Visions du Réel is the ideal platform for this”, stated Philippe Bischof