Barrier-free, Inspiring, Window on the World: Programme Finalised for the 29th FILMFEST DRESDEN


29 FILMFEST DRESDEN 2017

Dresden, 07.03.2017 – This year’s FILMFEST DRESDEN is ready to roll and is now presenting its programme for the 29th edition. From 4 to 9 April, the audiences and short film fans have more than 200 festival sections, panel discussions and numerous events about all aspects of short film waiting for them to enjoy. And for the first time ever this year, a selection of the film programmes and events are accessible barrier-free. Tickets to events are now available for purchase online or from the usual advance ticket agencies.

The centrepiece of this year’s festival edition are the International and National Competitions: With 63 short films competing here for the "Golden Horsemen" awards and special prizes. In addition to the competition sections, the 29th FILMFEST DRESDEN has an extensive range of 28 further special programmes. These include the five age-specific short film programmes for young audiences with films from throughout the world. And parents with toddlers will be tempted by the select programme being screened in the new "Soother Movies" section. Yet again this year, short film entertainment is being provided outdoors in the Festival Open-Air event with international shorts being screened on Neumarkt square. Including a special programme for families this year over the festival weekend.

Barrier-free Cinema – Making a Start
For the first time ever this year, Filmfest Dresden is screening selected programmes barrier-free, permitting people with sight, hearing and walking disabilities access to the festival. Two competition programmes, as well as two thematic programmes entitled "(Im-)Possible!", are being presented with subtitles for the hearing impaired and a German audio description. In addition, sign-language translators will be present at the events. At the related panel discussion, international experts will talk about the pros and cons of inclusive filmmaking. In order to provide support in arranging the inclusive events, FILMFEST DRESDEN has established a committee specifically for this purpose. For both this and next year, twelve cineastes from Dresden who themselves live with impairments are providing advice and consulting with the festival organisers on how to achieve a barrier-free festival.
In cooperation with the Look & Roll Festival. With kind support of the Saxon Regional Management Body and the Dresden State Capital Social Welfare Office

Syrian Film – Past and Present
A further programme section this year is focusing on and exploring Syrian film. This consists of three film programmes, ranging from the beginnings of Syrian auteur cinema in the 1970s through to films from the latest generation of Syrian artists, which have been made since the outbreak of the civil war there. The screenings are being accompanied by a panel discussion entitled "Film in War – Life in Exile", as well as a masterclass with the renowned Syrian director Ossama Mohammed. With a large number of Syrian artists expected to attend the festival. Likewise, this year’s Retrospective section has a Syrian theme. Under the title of "Fitting Work in Syria", two documentaries and weekly cinema newsreels reports from the GDR from 1955 to 1980 are being screened here, revealing for the first time the wide array of relations East Germany had with Syria.
With kind support of the German Federal Foreign Office, the Saxon State Chancellery and the Dresden State Capital Local Programme of Action.

Rounding off the film programmes is the etc. – events.trainings.connections section, with its exhibitions and rounds of discussions, such as the Forum Visegrád in Short(s), intended for all visitors to the festival. In addition, masterclasses open to the public as well as workshops for media professionals, headed by Michael Achtman, Max Hattler and Denis Côté among others, will provide deep insights into the filmic oeuvres of these internationally renowned individual filmmakers.

Main Media Partner: Sächsische Zeitung
Partner: AOK Plus - Saxony and Thuringia
Main Partner: Saxon State Ministry for Higher Education, Research and the Arts; City of Dresden, Amt für Kultur und Denkmalschutz  

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