A space entirely dedicated to image and cinema in Valais, Studio13 has just opened its doors in Sion after two years of work. With a set of 400 m2 and another of 100 m2, it has the largest filming area for rental in French-speaking Switzerland.
Attached to the Port Franc concert hall in Sion, Studio13 was designed by the Valais Film Association, which has been working for almost twenty years for the development of cinema in Valais. In 2021, the association is recovering the place, which was originally a theater. The place hosted the Interface dance company, forced to close due to a criminal investigation against its founder accused of sexual and moral harassment towards his troupe. The new place dedicated to images and cinema is named Studio13, in reference to the thirteen districts of the Old Country.
>> Also read: Under investigation, the Valais dance company Interface loses its premises
The Confederation allocates 300,000 francs to the studio project through a grant, to which is added financial aid from the city of Sion. Without forgetting the essential contribution of volunteers from the Valais Films Association, who were responsible for the wall coverings, paintings, flooring and lighting.
A center linked to image
The place consists of two stages of 400 m² and 100 m², technical spaces and a projection room with around twenty seats. It is intended to accommodate projects of all kinds, ranging from short and feature-length fiction films to animated films, including documentaries, advertising and commercial photo shoots. The studios will be available for rental from January 2025.
The objective is to create “a center linked to image and creation through image”, indicates in the Vertigo program of November 19 Tristan Albrecht, member of the committee of the Valais Film association and in charge of the Studio13 project. . His priority? Bring in indoor filming.
Because Valais usually attracts film crews for its natural settings such as its mountains. If it rains, Studio13 then offers the possibility of retreating to indoor filming. “If they can’t shoot outside or if they have to create a small set indoors, they can build it here and shoot directly on location instead of going and renting an apartment,” continues Tristan Albrecht.
>> Also read: Valais becomes the new paradise for film shoots
Finally, the Valais Film Association also wishes to create synergies with other artistic fields, theater or music for example, in order to bring to life this new place strategically nestled in the heart of a district which hosts several other businesses and cultural structures.
Radio subject: Layla Shlonsky
Adaptation web: mh
