trigon-film
Swiss non-profit distributor and home entertainment label specialising in cinema from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, championing films from the global south since 1988.
Overview
trigon-film is a Swiss non-profit film distribution company and home entertainment label founded in 1988 and based in Ennetbaden, near Zurich. The company specialises in distributing cinema from Africa, Asia, and Latin America in Switzerland -- three regions whose films are systematically underrepresented in European theatrical distribution. trigon-film's non-profit status reflects its mandate as a cultural rather than purely commercial operation, championing films from the global south for Swiss audiences across theatrical, DVD, and streaming platforms.
The company releases between 20 and 30 films per year in the Swiss theatrical market, distributing across German-speaking, French-speaking, and Italian-speaking Switzerland through partnerships with arthouse cinemas and cultural venues. trigon-film's DVD label has produced hundreds of editions of films from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, creating one of the most extensive home video archives of global south cinema available in Europe.
What trigon-film Distributes
trigon-film's programming spans:
- African cinema from sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and the francophone African tradition
- Asian cinema from Iran, India, South Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, and other territories
- Latin American cinema from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and beyond
- Documentary features from the global south engaging political, social, and cultural subjects
The company's geographic focus specifically excludes the European and North American films that dominate Swiss theatrical distribution, creating a catalog that represents a genuine alternative to the mainstream theatrical market.
Non-Profit Distribution Model
trigon-film operates on a non-profit model supported by Swiss cultural funding, membership contributions, and the commercial revenue from its distribution activity. This non-profit structure allows the company to release films that would not be commercially viable for a profit-seeking distributor, extending the range of global cinema available to Swiss audiences beyond what market forces alone would support.
For filmmakers from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, trigon-film's non-profit mandate means it considers films on cultural and artistic grounds rather than purely commercial ones. A film with strong critical credentials and genuine cultural significance from an underrepresented territory can find Swiss distribution through trigon-film even if its commercial potential is limited.
DVD Archive
trigon-film's DVD catalog is one of the most significant collections of global south cinema on physical media in Europe. Hundreds of films from Africa, Asia, and Latin America are available through the label, often as the only European physical media editions of films that were not commercially distributed on home video by any other company. This archive represents a genuine contribution to the accessibility of world cinema in Europe.
What Filmmakers Should Know
For filmmakers from Africa, Asia, and Latin America seeking Swiss theatrical distribution, trigon-film is the primary specialist contact. The company's non-profit mandate and cultural mission make it more accessible for films without obvious commercial appeal than commercial distributors would be.
trigon-film acquires at IDFA, Locarno (whose Swiss location gives it natural access to the festival), Cannes, and through relationships with international sales agents and directly from filmmakers and national film institutes from the regions it focuses on.
See Also
For how non-profit and publicly supported distributors serve films that commercial markets underserve, see Distribution Deals Explained. For an overview of world cinema distribution specialists across different territories, see the broader Film Distributors Directory.
