The Neisse Film Festival goes into its 17th round from May 12-17, 2020. More than 600 feature films, documentaries and short films were submitted to the festival team in the Kunstbauerkino of Grosshennersdorf, all seeking a spot in one of the three competitions and various film series and also one of the eight coveted Neisse Fish awards. Among the submissions there are productions from Germany, Poland and the Czech Repubic - some from various film academies, some co-productions of local filmmakers with partners from Portugal, Greece, Egypt, Iran, India and Australia. Which films make it to the final selection for the festival program will be decided by mid March.
Three countries, one festival!
Since 2004 the Neisse Film Festival has been offering young filmmakers from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic a forum. In addition, it introduces the respective neighboring countries to well-established films and directors each year, and directs its attention to special areas of focus. Its genre-crossing and trinational character with film screenings in approximately twenty venues in three countries along the Neisse River, along with an extensive additional program including art exhibitions, readings, concerts and parties organized together with partners in all three countries, combine to make this festival the special and unique one that it is.
Focus 2020: Films for Future
With the title "Films for Future", the focus series of the 17th Neisse Film Festival is taking a look at both global and local topics such as the depletion of resources, environmental pollution, manmade phenomena such as climate change and structure changes; the environmental and ecological movements in the GDR and a topic receiving considerable attention currently, namely the phaseout of brown coal mining. This topic is especially controversial in Lusatia, the region in which the film festival is also located. This selection of films will be accompanied by a podium discussion on the focus topic, exhibitions and a concert with Dota Kehr.
Other highlights of the festival program - in addition to the over 100 films - include the opening ceremony in the Gerhard Hauptmann Theater Zittau on May 12 with a concert from "Felix Shinder & Dengi Vpered" with their mix of klezmer music and well-known "racketeer songs" from their hometown of Odessa, or the traditional festival party in Grosshennersdorf on May 16 featuring the Polish band "Tygroo" in the Kunstbauerkino. The Awards Ceremony will take place on May 16 at the municipal arts and leisure center (Dom Kultury) in Zgorzelec. In addition to the best feature film, best documentary, best short film and the audience favorites, awards will also be granted for best acting, best screenplay, and best production design, for example. A special award will also be given to one film chosen, from among all the festival films, for its particular dedication to the understanding between the neighbors Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.