"A traditional event in the city of Zurich"

There will be a full house at the Filmpodium on Friday. Zurich's most beautiful cinema is hosting what is probably the best film quiz in Switzerland. Year after year, film fans take up the challenge and compete in a broad and deep knowledge of film. However, anyone expecting a formal event will be surprised. Although the Filmpodium is a glittering cultural institution, the atmosphere at the Filmbuff quiz is that of a cheerful pub. Nicole Reinhard, director of the Filmpodium and host of the quiz, explains this phenomenon.

Let's start simple. What exactly is a film buff?

Nicole Reinhard: *laughs* A film buff is a passionate film fan, a real luminary in the field of film. This description probably applies to many people who will gather in the cinema on Friday evening.

This is the 15th time that the best film buff in Switzerland has been chosen. Can you tell us something about the history of this event?

The idea came from the former co-director Andreas Furler. His aim was to organise a cross-generational evening with a focus on fun. In other words, a quiz with funny questions, equally funny answers and memorable film clips. In the first year, there wasn't really a rush, but thanks to word of mouth and social media, the quiz became more and more popular. Since the second year, it has almost always been sold out and is an annual highlight at the Filmpodium. You could also say that it has become a traditional event in the city of Zurich.

(Also film buffs but no quizzers: The moderation team Nicole Reinhard and Michel Bodmer)

The Filmbuff Quiz is often described as the "most difficult film quiz in Switzerland". How do you choose the topics for the quiz?

The centrepiece is made up of films that we showed at the Filmpodium last year. So anyone who has been to the cinema regularly has a good chance of answering the questions. For the past two years, the Filmpodium programme has also been more closely linked to current filmmaking. We present the entire history of film from its beginnings to the present day. Of course, this is also reflected in the quiz. So we don't just ask questions about historical film masterpieces, but also about anime or actors such as Timothee Chalamet. Nevertheless, we scrutinise each question carefully and strive for a good mix that is entertaining and varied. We also make sure that the questions are always funny. Some are so silly and bizarre that not even real film buffs have an advantage. This year, for example, we're looking at the film world from the perspective of a dog, but I don't want to give any more away *laughs*.

(Which film is that? The moderation team Nicole Reinhard and Michel Bodmer recreate a film gem.)

Fun is important, but so is winning. What is the prize for the best film buff?

This year there are actually three prizes. Third place will receive half a year of "Take 4" (four free films per month), second place will receive two Filmpodium half-fare subscriptions (half price) and the winner of the quiz will receive a Filmpodium GA, i.e. a year of free cinema visits with us.

A special feature of the Filmbuff quiz is the stickers and paper. Why do you insist on conducting the quiz purely analogue when it would be much easier digitally?

We used to conduct the quiz with electronic devices, but this was very expensive and time-consuming. During the pandemic, we opted for a simpler method with colourful stickers and pieces of paper. Instead of A, B, C, D, the multiple choice answers are yellow, green, red and blue. This method has proved to be much more charming, fun and lively because it is so playful. All participants are fully involved and wave their sheets of paper around in the air. You can hear the rustling of the paper throughout the room and the occasional witty comment. If we were doing the quiz with mobile phones or electronic devices, everyone would just be looking at the screens. The Klebberli and Papierli encourage communication - this contributes to the atmosphere and creates a unique mood.

(Klebberli fun: the film podium goes for old-fashioned pranks.)

Admittedly, it's very funny. Sometimes it's more like a crowded bar.
That's exactly our aim - to make it a totally entertaining evening. That's why we've once again prepared fun questions this year that even non-film buffs will enjoy. And even if you don't know the answer, the many film clips we have prepared are very entertaining. Last year, for example, my yoga teacher, who is definitely not a film buff, took part - and she was thrilled. So the film buff quiz is fun for everyone.

That's probably why you introduced the handicap system. How exactly does it work?

The aim is for everyone to have similar opportunities. That's why people who don't work in film theory are given a small advantage. As an amateur, you can therefore add 2 bonus points at the end.

(Paper chaos: instead of looking at their mobile phones, the audience should wave papers.)

May I be honest? Sometimes when I looked around the room, half the audience seemed like they were writing for the arts section. Is the film buff quiz perhaps more for culture snobs?

Of course it attracts a lot of people from the local cultural scene and the film industry, but I think we appeal to a diverse and broad audience. For example, I know a lot of people from very different backgrounds who find the quiz very entertaining. If you have even the slightest interest in films and series, the Filmbuff quiz is the place to be.

Ok, but at least one legendary person from the cultural scene will be present. Film journalist Michael Sennhauser will be the referee again this year.

*laughs* Of course, every quiz needs a referee, and we couldn't think of a better one than Michael Sennhauser. With his cleverness, charm and endless film knowledge, he will ensure law and order in the room.