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Statistics

Genre Cinema Statistics in Switzerland (2011–2024)


An unprecedented study by the SGFA.


In order to better understand the place given to different genres within publicly funded creative support, the SGFA conducted a detailed analysis of projects funded by institutions between 2011 and 2024.

This work, carried out manually on a project-by-project basis, highlights structural imbalances in the distribution of funding across cinematic genres.

The goal is twofold: to document the reality of genre film funding in Switzerland, and to open a constructive dialogue with institutions in order to foster greater diversity in creative production..


Methodology

The statistics were compiled by the Swiss Genre Film Alliance (SGFA) based on publicly available data.

Each funded project was manually categorized according to its dominant genre, in order to provide an accurate and transparent overview of the funding landscape.

Towards Greater Diversity

By publishing these figures, the SGFA aims to encourage a collective reflection on the diversity of stories, formats, and imaginative worlds being supported in Switzerland.

Genre films are an integral part of the country’s cultural richness and deserve an equitable place within creative funding policies.


Results. 
(OFC 2014-2024)

Across all the fiction projects supported (both in writing and directing) during this period, drama remains by far the dominant genre, accounting for 78% of the funding granted.

Comedy comes in second place with 16.1%, yet it remains a minority compared to the dominance of drama.

Thrillers account for only 3.1% of the supported projects, while genre films in the strict sense remain very marginally represented.

Experimental cinema also accounts for only 0.3% of the support granted.

These figures confirm a strong concentration of support around drama, to the detriment of greater genre diversity. They highlight the persistent underrepresentation of genre cinema, despite its potential for formal innovation, the renewal of collective imaginaries, and significant audience appeal, both in Switzerland and internationally.

 

78%
Drama
3.1%
Thriller
0%
Action-Adventure
0.3%
Experimental
16.1%
Comedy
1.1%
Fantasy
1.1%
Science-Fiction
0.3%
Horror

Results. 
(Cinéforom 2011–2024)

Of all the fiction projects supported (development and production) during this period:

  • 81% of the funding went to dramas (social, political, or psychological).

  • Thrillers and comedies trail far behind, receiving only 5% and 7.5% of the funding respectively.

  • Strict genre films—such as fantasy, horror, science fiction, or action-adventure—account for less than 5% of the total funding awarded.

  • When looking at production funding alone, this trend becomes even more pronounced: over 82% of the funds go to drama.

These figures reveal a clear underrepresentation of genre cinema, despite its creative vitality and strong audience potential.

 Drama
82%

 Experimental
2.5%

 Thriller
5%

 Comedy
7.5%

 Fantasy
1.8%

 Horror
0.4%

 Science Fiction
0.8%

Action-Adventure
0%

Results. 
(Zürcher Filmstiftung 2000–2025)

Across all supported fiction projects (including both writing and directing):

  • 78% of the grants support dramas (social, political, or psychological).
  • Thrillers (6%) and comedies (4%) follow at a distance.
  • Strict genre categories [ fantasy (4.7%), science fiction (2.6%), horror (1.2%), and action-adventure (1.9%) — collectively account for a largely minor share of the funding.]

Looking specifically at directing support, the overall pattern remains consistent.

77% of the support goes to drama, compared with 23% for all other genres combined.

These figures also highlight a structural imbalance in the allocation of support, to the detriment of genre cinema, despite its artistic potential and its capacity to reach a broad audience.

 Drama
78%

 Expérimental
0.5%

 Thriller
6.5%

 Comedy
4.5%

 Fantasy
4.7%

 Horror
1.3%

 Science Fiction
2.6%

Action-Adventure
1.9%

Results
(Canton of Ticino 2000–2024)

Out of the 441 grants awarded to fiction projects:

79% concern dramas (social, political, or psychological).

Comedies account for 6.8% of the grants, followed by thrillers with 5.4%.

Strict genre films remain largely underrepresented:

  • Science fiction : 4 %

  • Fantasy : 1,2 %

  • Horror : 0,7 %

  • Action-Adventure : less than 1 %

These figures show that, as in the rest of Switzerland, the vast majority of funding is concentrated on drama, while genre cinema remains underrepresented in funding schemes.

 Drama
79%

 Expérimental
0.2%

 Thriller
6.1%

 Comédy
6.8%

 Fantasy
1.2%

 Horror
0.7%

 Science Fiction
4.1%

Action-Aventure
0.7%