During the symbolic kick-off of the 31st FFC year, Bernd Buder, FFC program director, already announced two year-specific film series. "In 'Spotlight: Slovensko', the FFC celebrates the 100th anniversary of Slovak cinema. The series combines film history and the present, coupling cult films with current works." In addition, the FFC takes the 30th anniversary of the collapse of the Soviet Union as an occasion for a broader localization of post-communist transformation processes. 'Much New in the East' will cover topics such as the perestroika in the Soviet Union, the Peaceful Revolution in East-Central Europe, and also the "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine and their relationship to each other. The four competitions for feature, short, youth and regional short films and traditional sections such as Spectrum, Heimat | Domownja | Domizna, Hits and Kids in Cinema as well as a newly introduced guest country series complete the program.
In addition to the program outlook, Bernd Buder also announced the Call for Submissions. Films for the 31st FFC can be submitted from March 1st, via the FFC website filmfestivalcottbus.de.
The coproduction market connecting cottbus (coco) also reports a positive balance. "The last months have been challenging for all of us in one way or another. Despite the difficulties, we can chalk up numerous successes," sums up Marjorie Bendeck, director of connecting cottbus. In 2020, 23 projects reached the production or post-production stage. In addition, two coco Alumni projects can be seen in the official program of this year's Berlinale: STOP ZEMLIA from Ukraine is screening in Generation 14+ as well as CELTS from Serbia in the Panorama section. The 23rd East-West co-production market connecting cottbus will take place from November 3rd-5th, 2021.
About FilmFestival Cottbus
The 31st FilmFestival Cottbus will take place from November 2-7, 2021. In four competitions and numerous side sections, the FFC will screen circa 150 films competing for prize money of 75,000 euros and the coveted prize sculpture LUBINA (Sorbian: the lovely one).
13,600 individual accesses to the films from the program as well as almost 5,600 views of the free digital (live) content such as conversations with filmmakers, panels, panel discussions and talk rounds were recorded in the digital edition last year.
The 31st FilmFestival Cottbus and its market connecting cottbus are significantly supported by the State of Brandenburg, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH, the City of Cottbus, the German Federal Foreign Office, Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung GmbH and the Creative Europe Program of the European Union.
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