The 39th edition of the Braunschweig International Film Festival (BIFF), which opened with this film concert, received plenty of warm words from patrons and sponsors in the evening.
"As Braunschweig residents, we can proudly say that the Braunschweig International Film Festival has long since developed into a magnet for visitors, both for a professional audience and for cinema fans," enthuses Braunschweig's Lord Mayor Dr. Thorsten Kornblum. And he adds: "The BIFF is one of the highlights of Braunschweig's cultural life!" The opening film concert, which is always realized in close cooperation with the Braunschweig State Theatre and the Braunschweig State Orchestra, marks an important milestone in the festival week every year. "The Staatstheater and the Filmfest have been cooperating for 23 years - since 2013, we have opened the festival together with a film concert," outlines Thorsten Rinke, Chairman of the Filmfest Association.
However, it is also essential: "Without strong partners, we would never be able to realize such a flagship project." With a view to the opening, explicit thanks are due above all to the Stiftung Braunschweigischer Kulturbesitz (SBK) and BS|ENERGY. The Stiftung Braunschweigischer Kulturbesitz is not only extensively involved as a sponsor of the Staatstheater every year, the SBK also makes the film concert possible as an active supporter. "The festival and foundation thrive on the combination of tradition and the present, of courage and responsibility," says Director Maria-Rosa Berghahn. And she adds: "Film art is also democracy: it's about people daring to look, question and have their say."
Energy, curiosity and passion
Meike Götz, Managing Director of nordmedia - Film- und Mediengesellschaft Niedersachsen / Bremen mbH, agrees. "The Braunschweig International Film Festival is an integral part of the European film festival landscape. It is great that a platform is being created here for up-and-coming filmmakers. The energy and curiosity of these up-and-coming filmmakers bring the film industry to life." The format of the film festival is a special tribute to art and at the same time a place of passion. Special mention was also made of Sandra Hüller, who will be awarded the main prize Die EUROPA on Saturday. Götz commented: "Sandra Hüller is undisputedly one of the most gifted actresses of our time."
BS|ENERGY is involved as co-main sponsor of the opening film concert. It is not only the preservation of an active leisure and cultural scene in the city of Braunschweig that counts, as board member Dr. Volker Lang emphasizes. "The combination of film and handcrafted music is something special. It's more than just sitting down in a movie theater, grabbing a bag of popcorn and consuming it. It creates a very special energy in the room that all guests can feel," says Lang, praising the concept of the opening film concert. A commitment based on conviction: "The film festival and BS|ENERGY have a long, shared history."
Volunteering as the heart of democracy
Speaking of commitment. The BIFF is organized by the supporting association Internationales Filmfest Braunschweig e. V., in which more than 40 association members volunteer their time for the major annual event. "Volunteering may seem like a dispensable luxury in challenging times like these - but it is in fact the heart of our democracy, an expression of the deepest solidarity and living proof that we can shape our society together," says festival director Karina Gauerhof. "They are on fire for this festival all year round, researching films, viewing hundreds of films, traveling to international festivals, moderating during the festival week and beyond, and personally looking after our fantastic film guests here in Braunschweig."
The keyword "appreciation" also plays a prominent role in this year's special film series. With "GenerationGOLD: Yesterday - Today - Tomorrow / Dün - Bugün - Yarın", it is dedicated to the stories of so-called Turkish guest workers. "A series that was actually planned to mark the upcoming 65th anniversary of the recruitment agreement with Turkey," says Gauerhof. "But the current events and debates reinforce how important this series is right now - a film series that pays tribute to the people who actively helped to build post-war Germany and, among other things, have had a significant impact on this region."
"We are opening up to urban society and its different communities."
Meanwhile, the initiators are extremely satisfied with the opening film concert itself. State Theater interim director Ellen Brüwer comments: "There are many things that theater and film can have in common besides the great importance of music and play - in a way, this also includes our motto for this year's season: And what is behind the doors that life opens for us?" And she explains: "Open doors are something essential and positive for us, theaters, cinemas and film festivals alike. We open ourselves up to urban society and its various communities. We want to address and welcome as many different people as possible in our theaters, lower thresholds and barriers and enable participation." This also applies to the opening and the festival in general, where special offers for students and otherwise low-threshold admission prices are ensured through a wide range of collaborations with universities and colleges.
The 39th Braunschweig International Film Festival got off to a successful start with the opening film concert - up to and including Sunday, festival visitors can look forward to a week-long film festival with more than 200 films, including around 50 German premieres as well as highlights from all genres and a rich supporting program of special events. The first screenings are already sold out. Up-to-date information on the festival program, special events and more can be found at www.filmfest-braunschweig.de and on the festival's social media channels.