- commemoration of cinematic milestone on the Rhine: German film festival commences
With "Family is essential" serving as its title, the German Film Festival in Ludwigshafen commences its 20th anniversary on August 21st. Running till September 8th, this event in the second-largest city in Rhineland-Palatinate is recognized as a creative haven and significant industry event. This celebration year houses 64 films. Ludwigshafen ranks as the second most visited German film festival after the Berlinale, with approximately 108,000 cinema-goers attending the Rhine Island border spot between Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg the previous year.
So, there aren't any legally bound standards for setting up the lineup, confirms festival director Michael Kötz to Deutsche Presse-Agentur. "But it's not just about personal preferences, not after 40 years of experience." It's more about understanding the films' intentions. "It's about sensing where the movies are heading and deciding if that objective is met, sometimes halfway, sometimes brilliantly."
Translating this into simpler terms, "We feature films that inspire us to rewatch them. We don't showcase films that are considered significant or trendy but have failed to connect with the audience. We're unwavering supporters of our spectators."
The festival unfolds in an open-air cinema and cinema tents with over 1,000 seats. Various personalities will be celebrated over the 19 days. Acting awards go to Liv Lisa Fries ("Babylon Berlin"), Christoph Maria Herbst ("Contra"), and Joachim Król ("Preis der Freiheit"). This celebration year sees 11 films competing for the Film Art Award and the audience award "Rheingold".
If summed up in a motto, Kötz suggests, "It just kept getting better." "We began with 7,000 visitors and surpassed 100,000 in 2016. We had a handful of film and TV industry stars at the start, now we have over 300, and even widely renowned names are eager to grace our event." The festival has seen an almost miraculous transformation. "Despite obstacles such as floods or pandemics, we've only experienced success. It couldn't have gone better."
Cinema as a reflection of challenges
The current selection also reflects the challenges of our era - Ukraine, the Middle East, climate change, social divide. "The days when German films frequently centered around self-obsession, around personal realization in its broadest sense, are essentially past," Kötz highlighted. "It seems we've recognized how crucial social harmony and society itself are for individual happiness."
"We also remember how vital family is, and how detrimental it was to trust the healing assurances of the Nazis in Germany," the director stressed. "The new German films in our lineup portray these stories compellingly."
The German Film Festival, now in its 20th anniversary, provides a platform for 108,000 cinema-goers to engage with compelling stories that emphasize the importance of family, as highlighted in the festival's selection. During the 19-day celebration, various personalities will be celebrated, including Liv Lisa Fries, Christoph Maria Herbst, and Joachim Król, who will receive acting awards.
Despite facing challenges like floods and pandemics, the festival has consistently experienced success, attracting over 300 film and TV industry stars and surpassing 100,000 visitors. This growth in popularity can be attributed to the festival's commitment to showcasing films that inspire and resonate with its audience.
