Twelve films are in the running this year for the Regard d’Or, the top award of the Fribourg International Film Festival (March 24 – 31), which carries a prize of CHF 30,000 (USD 33,000). For the competition, current productions were selected from the FIFF’s traditional focal points, namely South and Latin America, Asia and Africa. In addition the Near and Middle East are represented, with films from Jordan, Egypt and Iran. Many film-makers will be in attendance in Fribourg to present their work. More than 100 new productions can be discovered in the various program sections this year. For the first time, the FIFF’s new artistic director, Thierry Jobin, has taken on the Festival program selection. He has undertaken major restructuring and introduced permanent new program sections. Thanks to panel discussions, conferences and informal meetings, Fribourg audiences will have opportunities to interact with film-makers.  The Opening Ceremony on Saturday 24 March 2012 will take place with Federal Councillor Alain Berset in attendance.Ticket sales begin on 8 March 2012 at www.starticket.ch.