32 FILMFEST DRESDEN is postponed to 8 to 13 September
Against the background of the current situation regarding the novel coronavirus, the festival team, in coordination with the main sponsors, has decided to postpone the 32 Filmfest Dresden to 8 to 13 September 2020.
"We very much regret that the festival cannot take place in April as planned, but in view of the dramatic developments, this decision is also unavoidable out of a sense of responsibility towards our guests and staff," explains festival director Sylke Gottlebe. "It is very important to us to offer the filmmakers and their works a public platform as well as the audience the familiar festival atmosphere and we hope to meet these demands with a postponement".
The Saxon Minister of Culture, Barbara Klepsch, also regrets the postponement of the festival: "As patron of this special format, I am very saddened that the 32 Filmfest Dresden cannot open in April. I would like to thank everyone involved in the organisation of the festival and hope that we will be able to enjoy the event in late summer."
Whether the festival programme in September will take place as planned or with restrictions due to the change is currently being examined in detail by the festival organisers. The festival team has compiled information on the possible effects of the postponement on e.g. submissions, accreditations and travel plans here.
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International reactions to festival cancellations: New online film festival
MY DARLING QUARANTINE
In response to the worldwide cancellations of renowned film festivals, a new online short film festival called MY DARLING QUARANTINE was launched on Monday, 16 March. Initiated by Enrico Vannucci, the short film consultant of the Venice International Film Festival and realised by Filmfest Dresden staff, the festival was supported by experts from all over the world within a very short time, including programmers from Cannes, Locarno, the Berlinale, Filmfest Dresden, Short Film Festival Hamburg and Vienna Shorts.
Each week, the audience can vote for their favourite short film of the week from a top-class selection of mainly dystopian films on the Talking Shorts platform and donate via the GoFundMe page set up by the MDQSFF.
50% of the money donated by the festival visitors will go to the aid organisation Doctors without Borders, which is active worldwide. The other 50% will be donated to cultural institutions and cultural workers whose existence is threatened by COVID-19.
Further information:
Press release MY DARLING QUARANTINE