Since 28th September 2009, the 17th Filmfest Hamburg has been apprehended by the Iranian “Green Movement” for independence. Filmfest guests are spontaneously joining the peaceful resistance movement, and are showing their solidarity by having photographs taken of them wearing green scarves. The “green wave” was initiated at the festival by exiled Iranian director Sepideh Farsi (“Tehran Without Permission”). Farsi is not only being supported by her Iranian directing colleagues, but ...
A selection of outstanding films from all over the world will once again be presented as German, European or world premieres in Hamburg from 24th September to 3rd October 2009. Following the announcement of the film selections for New Zealand Deluxe, young Turkish cinema and the Focus "Vibrant Metropolises", the 17th Filmfest Hamburg now discloses further programme highlights. 142 films from 42 countries have been confirmed. Characterized by its broad spectrum of films from high-quality cinema t...
From 24th September to 3rd October 2009 the 17th Filmfest Hamburg focuses in on films treating the topic of "Vibrant Metropolises". Claus Friede, the curator of the Focus' section, says that the selection of 12 international feature and documentary films presents: "metropolises of extreme contrasts. The films contain social criticism, deal with radical strategies of survival, and depict breathless hypermodernity alongside urban traditions that have developed over centuries." Festival Director Al...
Hamburg's first BarCamp for filmmakers will take place on 2nd October at the 17th Filmfest Hamburg. The "Digital Film Camp@Filmfest Hamburg", also referred to as DFC@Filmfest Hamburg, will feature filmmakers and Web 2.0 specialists discussing the digital future of film. Berlin's second "Digital Film Camp" ended on 17th April this year, posing the question "How do filmmakers work and finance themselves in the Web 2.0 Era?" The event was hosted and organized by Simon Chapuzzeau, owner of HomeBase ...
Ruth Rockenschaub will be Head of Protocol at this year’s Filmfest Hamburg. The professional dubbing artist for animated cinema films and audio books, who also works as a radio presenter, singer and musician, is looking forward to her new challenge. The reason Rockenschaub humorously gives for her cooperation with Filmfest Hamburg is that “this was the one most suitable opportunity offered to me to express my many talents and my natural authority for such little money.” It remains a secret...
On 24th September 2009 "Soul Kitchen" will open the 17th Filmfest Hamburg, celebrating its German premiere at Cinemaxx Dammtor. "Soul Kitchen" is the sixth feature film by renowned director and producer Fatih Akin. The film's extraordinary cast reads like a best-of of Akin's films: Adam Bousdoukos of "Short Sharp Shock", Moritz Bleibtreu of "In July" and "Solino" and Birol Ünel of "Head On". For Festival Director Albert Wiederspiel "Soul Kitchen" signifies "a declaration of love for the metrop...
As of 2nd June 2009, Silke Cecilia Schultz will take over the direction of the communications and press department at Filmfest Hamburg. Silke Cecilia Schultz works as a freelance scriptwriter in Hamburg. She accompanies prospective scriptwriters as a teacher at Filmschule Hamburg-Berlin where she teaches dramaturgy and film genres. She previously worked as press officer and head of the press association EXPO 2000 Hannover GmbH and was an employee of the Referat Öffentlichkeitsarbeit (lit: dep...