For the 40th edition of the Braunschweig International Film Festival (BIFF), visitors can look forward to a star-studded program. This year’s opening film concert, *LA LA LAND IN CONCERT*, brings Hollywood to Braunschweig. With the special series “Over 40—Favorites from Five Decades of the Film Festival,” , the film festival takes a look back at the BIFF’s past decades. The top prize The EUROPA goes to August Diehl.
This year, the 40th Braunschweig International Film Festival (BIFF) . The BIFF is celebrating its 40th edition and is kicking things off with a spectacular opening film concert. The musical film LA LA LAND is fittingly celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and will be presented at the film festival’s opening, together with the Braunschweig State Orchestra, as German premiere of *LA LA LAND IN CONCERT* . The opening film concert is sponsored by the Braunschweig Cultural Heritage Foundation (SBK) and the co-main sponsor of the opening film concert, BS|ENERGY.
In keeping with the festive atmosphere of the opening film concert, this year’s BIFF aims to highlight the positive aspects of our world. This year’s International Documentary Film Series is themed “Films That Inspire Hope”. In these crisis-ridden times, BIFF aims to showcase people who do not simply accept the status quo but fight—for survival, for a better life, for their rights, and for change. These documentaries spotlight the inspiration-givers in our society.
“Especially at this time, it’s important to shine a light on positive events and the people who make them happen. This year, we want to give these sources of inspiration a platform and, in doing so, encourage others to take action,” says Karina Gauerhof, Artistic Director of the Braunschweig International Film Festival.
Complex Characters with a Touch of Melancholy: The EUROPA Award for August Diehl
His filmography includes more than 50 productions: August Diehl is known for the artistic seriousness with which he imbues his characters with credible complexity. His performances leave a lasting impression, and he masters the art of making his characters’ inner conflicts visible to the outside world like no other. For this achievement, Diehl was once again honored with the German Film Award this year. Already in his film debut in 23 – NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS (directed by Tom Schreiber), which premiered at the 12th Braunschweig International Film Festival in 1998, he clearly demonstrated his talent and also received the German Film Award for this work. For years, Diehl has also been working internationally, in both European and U.S. productions, including, for example, Quentin Tarantino’s INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS and SALT (directed by Phillip Noyce) among his best-known roles.
“August Diehl is an impressive character actor who captivates audiences time and again. His roles are often dark and convey that sense of brokenness and melancholy with which he has already captivated so many,” says Thorsten Rinke, chairman of the International Film Festival Braunschweig e.V. Festivalgoers will have the opportunity to form their own impression of the actor. On Saturday, November 14, at 3:30 p.m., Diehl will be on site for an in-depth film discussion and will also present his latest film, *SCHÖNE SEELEN* by Tom Schreiber, which is set to hit German theaters in late November. August Diehl will accept the EUROPA Award that same evening at 7:30 p.m. during the awards ceremony in the Großes Haus of the Staatstheater Braunschweig. The festival’s main sponsor, Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS), is once again providing the prize money of 25,000 euros this year.
A Look Back at 40 Years of the Braunschweig International Film Festival
The Braunschweig International Film Festival is celebrating its 40th edition this year. This has prompted the association behind the festival to take a look back at past years. With the “Ü40 – Favorites from 5 Decades of Film” series , visitors can embark on a cinematic retrospective spanning the years 1989 through 2023. Films such as A BANQUET FOR ACHILLES, THE PARADISE SUITE , and ZILLION were selected by members of the Filmfest Association who, at the time, were still part of the audience and not involved in shaping the program. The series is rounded out by two audience favorites from the 8th and 13th Filmfest Braunschweig and a short film program featuring six award-winning BIFF entries.
“With the ‘Over 40’ series, we want to take a look back at the history of the Filmfest. It’s wonderful to see what has become of our project from back then and how far the festival has come,” said Peter Wentzler, a founding member of the Internationales Filmfest Braunschweig e.V.
Numerous special events and 51 premieres
This year, the 40th Braunschweig International Film Festival is awarding prize money totaling 65,500 euros. The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Großes Haus of the Staatstheater Braunschweig . NDR Kultur host Muschda Sherzada will once again host the evening this year.
In addition to approximately 200 films—including three world premieres, two European premieres, and 46 German premieres—the festival once again offers numerous special events. The DIVERSITY SALON is once again hosting a panel discussion. Türkân Deniz-Roggenbuck, from the Kulturton agency, and Manja Liehr will discuss the film adaptation of the novel IDENTITTI (directed by Randa Chahoud), will address the question: “Who decides who I am allowed to be?” The panel discussion will also serve as the live finale episode of the duo’s podcast “In Abla’s Name. Amen.”
Identity is also a theme at the Panaltalk on Thursday, November 12. At 5:15 p.m. in the Red Hall, following the screening of WHAT’S UP EXTREMISTS!, in cooperation with the Association for Sexual Emancipation e.V., the talk “Reasons for Fleeing into Exile and for or against Life in Germany” will take place. The central question: Is Germany still a desirable destination, or is the country itself becoming a starting point for flight? This will be discussed in light of discrimination and oppression against non-heteronormative lifestyles.
Advance ticket sales begin on October 28
Anyone who wants to experience the talents of this year’s main competition up close can attend EMERGE! – MEET THE EUROPEAN FILM TALENTS and listen to a panel discussion featuring several filmmakers from the main competition who will be in attendance, as well as Artistic Director Karina Gauerhof. The filmmakers will share their journeys—from the initial idea to the screens of international festivals—and the challenges they faced along the way.
On October 28 at 2 p.m., both in person and online, the advance ticket sales for screenings and events at the 40th Braunschweig International Film Festival will begin on-site and online at 2 p.m. By the way: BIFF is already inviting you to numerous special events at the brand-new BIFF Pop Up Space! More information and the latest updates on the festival are also available at www.filmfest-braunschweig.de, with daily updates posted on the festival’s social media channels.