Annually, on the last weekend of January, at the Corso Film Theater of Würzburg:
The WÜRZBURG INTERNATIONAL FILM WEEKEND, established in 1974, counts as one of the oldest and most successful festivals of its kind in Germany. The Film Initiative of Würzburg e.V., which organizes the weekend, offers its approximately 10.000 visitors a four day program comprised of more than 50 films.
Traditionally, the European author film with all of its facettes is the center of the WÜRZBURG INTERNATIONAL FILM WEEKEND. Yet, films and directors from Africa, America, Australia and New Zealand are increasingly being represented.
The carefully thoughtout portraits and retrospectives, which introduce selected film people or 'film countries', are the core of the program. In the selection of current single productions, above all, younger and less known film-makers are given precedence.
The WÜRZBURG INTERNATIONAL FILM WEEKEND is also well known for its short film section, its children's film program and its late night screening of selected genre films. The presentation of a rare silent film accompanied by live music is a special attraction each year.
One of the main aims of the WÜRZBURG INTERNATIONAL FILM WEEKEND is to promote contact between the film-makers and the viewing audience. Since its inception, the small but fine festival (Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper, 1993) has greeted over 250 guests, among them famous directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci, Eric Rohmer, Stephen Frears, Jan Troell, Istvan Szabo and Wim Wenders.
The program organizers make an effort to give those films a chance, which have difficulty in the everyday film rental business and are rarely seen in the movie theaters on the regional level. Hence, younger film-makers are encouraged to apply (preferably by video).
The audience prizes of the WÜRZBURG INTERNATIONAL FILM WEEKEND are awarded each year for the Best Film as well as the Best Children's Film and the Best Short Film. For each category a prize of several thousand Euros is awarded. The main award winners since 1989 come from Wales, the US, Tunesia, Germany, England, Guinea-Bissau and Norway.
Further Information:
Internationales Filmwochenende Würzburg Friedenstraße 19 D-97072 Würzburg Telefon: ++49-931-1 50 77 Telefax: ++49-931-1 50 78 eMail: info@filmwochenende-wuerzburg.de
or
Filminitiative Würzburg e.V. Gosbertsteige 2 D-97082 Würzburg Telefon: ++49-931-41 40 98 Telefax: ++49-931-41 62 79
Send mail to webmaster@filmwochenende-wuerzburg.de with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2002 Marcus W. Ohlhaut
Last modified: 07.01.2002
