Camille Andres, social Protestantism as a compass – Swiss Catholic Portal

A few days before the curtain rises for the Farel Prize, its director Camille Andres received cath.ch. The journalist and director talks about the ethical and spiritual film festival, as well as the social Protestantism in which she grew up, a source of questioning and a true moral benchmark for her.

The challenges that had to be overcome, the new features of the festival, the appearance of explainers (short explanatory videos) in the competition, the young audience to conquer, the 172 works received and the final selection of 30 films, from 2 to 120 minutes… “and there will also be two round tables: on the themes of AI and new forms of information on the internet!” adds Camille Andres to her argument. The director of the Farel Prize speaks quickly, says what’s new, rolls out the program. The concern for communication, undoubtedly. The energy of passion and commitment, for sure.

Commitment, the center of gravity of one’s life, will often come up in the discussion. “My relationship with work is a bit particular: I come from a rural region, I am Protestant and Alsatian,” she summarizes.

The journalist was born in Haguenau, France, in the north of Alsace, in 1985. The family, Protestant, attended the Lutheran Church. Camille grew up and attended school in Niedermodern, on the outskirts of Haguenau. “There were few cultural activities. Apart from a theater which illuminated my high school years, everything revolved around the activities offered by the parish and the Lutheran Unionist Teams (EUL), a youth association where she got involved at the age of 16: evenings for young people, games and exits. His Protestant roots, much more social than spiritual, will be decisive and will act as a starting point for his reflection.

The EUL contributes to its emancipation. “Thanks to this I was able to participate in summer camps in Puerto Rico, Lebanon and South Africa where I met other Protestants.” She will in turn be a facilitator from 16 to 25 years old.

European studies

From the age of 12, his vocation becomes clearer. She wanted to become a writer, but “you need talent for that,” she was told. She therefore opted for journalism. After a literary baccalaureate which she obtained with the distinction “Very good”, she entered Science Po-Strasbourg at the age of 18, leaving with a degree in European studies at the age of 21. Her curriculum includes a year of study in intercultural economics in Jena, Germany.

She did not leave her village, she fled it, she says, to escape a racist environment. At the time, Jean-Marie Le Pen’s National Front exceeded 45%. “Protestantism was for me a moral reference point and a source of questioning. Religion was synonymous with tolerance and humanism.”

With her diploma in hand, she went to Paris to study at the School of Advanced Studies in Information and Communication Sciences. Camille trained in journalism there for two years. She obtained a master’s degree which she doubled with the same diploma in Islamology. Her first steps in the profession took her back to Strasbourg, Messengera Protestant newspaper that she left when the local Church transformed it into a communications organ. Almost logically, it enters into Latest news from Alsacefirst in Saverne then at the Basel office in 2013.

Camille Andres joins her companion in Switzerland. “Ironically,” she smiles, “it was in February 2014, when the initiative ‘Against mass immigration’ was passed.”

A series of major projects

She becomes a freelancer, collaborates with the magazine Reformedwhere she currently works, has several long-term projects under her belt: she is launching the platform femmesleader.ch for the economic magazine Withwrites the mook on Etivaz cheese for Heidi.news in 2019. Its biggest project remains Esther’s beta documentary on the ecological change taking place in the Vaudois Alps. She readily cites the special issue of Reformed “God, nature and us”, dedicated to ecology in 2021.

Is the Farel Prize a logical continuation of such a journey? “They came to get me. I know many have refused before me. I said, ‘Why not, let’s talk’.” The challenge of taking over a moribund festival did not displease the journalist. Before committing to it, she nevertheless consulted professionals in the field to get an idea. “All these past experiences are useful to me for the different aspects of organizing the event. To raise funds, I am thinking, for example, of Paris d’Esther for which I had to raise several tens of thousands of francs.”

A new format

Camille Andres adds that this edition of the Farel Prize is a new project. “It’s also a test. You have to stay clear-headed, there are financial constraints. This year we managed to make the budget, this may not be the case next time. And the festival remains free, we will put a hat on at the exit,” she emphasizes.

“A real locomotive! We must follow,” we whisper in his team. “I don’t know what leadership I exercise, but I am a demanding person,” she admits, “without being a control freak. And I don’t forget that I work with volunteers.” It combines editorial choices, management of the communication strategy, production, coordination of teams distributed between Lausanne and Neuchâtel. And cites the support of the committee and volunteers. “I also manage the link with the partners, of whom there are many this year.”

A spirituality of silence

Social Protestantism was his compass and the basis of his commitment. “I see the limits. Sometimes it takes precedence over private life and relationships.” Camille Andres remains more discreet about her spirituality. The flow slows down, the voice lowers. “It’s more intimate and linked to silence.” She evokes Taizé, an influence that dates back to early childhood – “I must have been 5 years old” – and which she owes to pastor Wolfgang Gross de Groër.

We have to take the photo… Quickly because she has to leave. A few more seconds for a snapshot, then in two strides, she walks out of the office and disappears down the hall. (cath.ch/bh)

Farel Prize, from November 15 to 17, 2024.
Rex Cinema, Faubourg de l’Hôpital 16, Neuchâtel.
Free entry.
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