Precisely two weeks before the start of the 30th edition, the FilmFestival Cottbus is publishing its complete programme. For the first time, the FFC will take place in a DUAL format: From November 3 to 8 in "real cinemas" in Cottbus as well as in Eisenhüttenstadt, Berlin, Görlitz, Zgorzelec and Zielona Góra and additionally from November 3 to 21 in the digital space.
For the first time, more than a half of the programme will be available for streaming throughout Germany via the festival’s website.
Many of the films are international or German premieres and, in most cases, will be shown only once nationwide at the 30th FFC.
"With our dual anniversary edition, we are emphasizing the importance of film and culture in these difficult times," says Andreas Stein, Managing Director of the FFC’s organising company pool production GmbH. "Despite the pandemic, here in Cottbus and, thanks to our online offer, for the first time in the whole of Germany, we want to draw attention to the young, exciting and dialogue-oriented cinema from Eastern Europe and deliver it to the widest possible audience".
The anniversary programme comprises a total of 201 individual film contributions. At the 30th FFC they will compete in four competitions for prizes with a total value of 72,000 Euros and a prestigious sculpture prize LUBINA (Sorbian: The Lovely). The statue has been already awarded 62 times in the Feature Film Competition, but this year, for the first time in history, the festival will honour with it the winners of the Short Film and U18 Youth Film competitions, as well.
"In terms of content, this year we are focusing more on the political and historical topics" explains the FFC’s programme director Bernd Buder. "In special film series, which are dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War as well as to the 30th anniversary of the German reunification we deal not only with historical events, but rather with questions about the consequences these events had and still have for different generations (alternative: but rather with questions about the impact these events had and still have on different generations), or even entire nations, and how they are interpreted by the society.”
Moreover, the programme of the 30th FFC includes a film series devoted to the 30th anniversary of the state of Brandenburg’s foundation and a “Spotlight Česko” section, which presents current films from the Czech Republic, as well as two other analogical sections “Russkiy Den” and “Polskie Horyzonty”, which depict current trends in two largest Central and Eastern European production countries. Another festival series called “Spectrum” shows the entire cinematic spectrum – from experimental films to psychological-thrillers, whereas the FFC’s “Hits” display box office and Internet hits from Eastern Europe, “Children’s Film” is aimed at kids and families and “Heimat | Domownja | Domizna” section captivates audience with films from and about Lusatia, with a traditional focus on Sorbian/Wendish themes.
IMPORTANT:
This year tickets for the screenings in the festival cinemas in Cottbus are available exclusively online on the festival website and in the Reservix-ticket shops. Tickets will not be sold in the festival venues during the festival!
As only about one third of the seats will be available in the festival cinemas (Weltspiegel, Stadthaus, Glad-House, Obenkino, Planetarium Cottbus and other festival venues alike) in order to meet the distance- and hygiene requirements concerning the Covid-19 pandemic, it is highly recommended to book the tickets for the desired event early.
Tickets capacity is also limited in the streaming offer at www.filmfestivalcottbus.de and the tickets in the vouchers’ form will be available from the 20th of October.
From the 3rd of November, one will be able to experience the 30th edition of the FFC not only in the cinemas but also online, activating the streaming tickets purchased beforehand. Films offered online will be available for 24 hours from the start of the screening.
The streaming offer of the 30th FilmFestival Cottbus will be available until the 21st of November.
All information about FESTIVAL-TICKETS
Overview Festival Programm 30th FFC
FestivalMagazin (in German)