FilmFestival Cottbus and connecting cottbus celebrate kick-off

At the traditional East European Brunch during the 68th Berlinale, FilmFestival Cottbus gave a short insight in the programme of the 28^th edition (Nov 6^th – 11^th, 2018) for the first time. 
Bernd Buder, programme director of FilmFestival Cottbus, explained what this year's programme offers to the audience: "The research for our four competitions and numerous side sections is already in full progress. If the research develops in this positive way, we can surprise the audience with almost 200 interesting, very different films."

Among others in 2018 FilmFestival Cottbus focuses on films from and about Silesia - a region that has its own unique Silesian identity with its own language and which is characterized by significant structural change. Most of the films in this series are directed by Polish filmmakers. 
A special film series, entitled with "The friend as enemy, the breach of trust as a weapon - how Stasi & others manipulated close relationships", presents films from various former socialist countries exploring the intentions why people abuse the trust of others and betray their beloved ones. 
"Current topics and anniversaries such as the 200^th birthday of Karl Marx are also part of the programme. Furthermore we draw attention to Georgia as a film country," Bernd Buder added. An homage is also dedicated to István Szabó and his work. The Honorary President of the FilmFestival Cottbus celebrated his 80th birthday on Feb 18th, 2018. Szabó and his wife, film scientist Veronika Gyürey, will be visiting Cottbus in November.

During the East European Brunch, Dr. Gertraude Müller-Ernstberger, Managing Director of the Münchener Gesellschaft zur Wahrnehmung von Film und Fernsehrechten mbH (GWFF) awarded the GWFF Award. Maciej Jagielski from Poland received the scholarship award endowed with EUR 4,500. Together with director Edyta Rembała, the 35-year-old production student of the Gdynia Film School presented the film POLA in the short feature film competition of the last year’s 27th FilmFestival Cottbus.

connecting cottbus celebrates its 20^th anniversary with a new director

Marjorie Bendeck has been appointed new director of connecting cottbus, taking over the artistic direction of the co-production market, which will celebrate its 20^th anniversary on Nov 8^th and 9^th, 2018: "Eastern Europe is quite a fascinating region, with a unique convergence between history, politics and arts, home to many talented filmmakers. I look forward to working more intensively with them."

As the first official act of the new connecting cottbus director, Bendeck presented the Special Pitch Award to Polish director-screenwriter Anna Jadowska. This prize enables Jadowska to pitch her new project at the 20^th connecting cottbus co-production market. Jadowska won four prizes at the 27^th FilmFestival Cottbus with her film WILD ROSES (Main Prize for Best Film, Award for Outstanding Actress for Marta Nieradkiewicz, FIPRESCI Prize, Prize of the Ecumenical Jury).

28^th FilmFestival Cottbus 
Nov 6^th – 11^th, 2018

20th connecting cottbus 
Nov 8^th – 9^th, 2018