As the FilmFestival Cottbus - Festival of East European Cinema announced today, the Hungarian director and OSCAR-winner István Szabó will be honoured with the „Lubina“ on the occasion of the 15th festival. Szabó, who has been the honorary president of the FilmFestival Cottbus since 2000, will be receiving this prize in recognition of his commitment as a supporter and international ambassador for the festival. The presentation will be held on November 8 during the opening ceremony in the Cottbus Staatstheater.

In addition, festival director Roland Rust revealed the names of the members of the International Jury for the 15th FilmFestival Cottbus:

Andreas Dresen, author and director („Grill Point“), Germany
Dorka Gryllus, actress (Shooting Star at the 2005 Berlinale), Hungary/ Germany
Maciej Karpinski, screenwriter and artistic director of the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia and Deputy Director of the Polish Film Institute, Poland
Cedomir Kolar, producer („No Man’s Land“ - Oscar prize-winner), Croatia/France
Nadia Turincev, former secretary-general of the European Producers Club, Russia/France

The Feature Film Competition of the 15th FilmFestival Cottbus will present ten films from the best young directors from eight East European countries. In total, more than 100 films from 29 countries will be shown in Cottbus from November 8 -12. The internationally renowned festival traditionally offers a comprehensive overview of contemporary film production in Eastern Europe. Prize-money totalling € 40,000 will be awarded in Cottbus.

The complete film programme for the sections of the Feature Film Competition, Short Film Competition, Specials, Spectrum, National Hits, Focus „Magyar Miracle – New Hungarian Cinema“, Film Programme for Children and Young People as well as events in the extensive accompanying programme can be found at