This year’s feature film competition shows the diversity found within the contemporary cinematography of Central and Eastern Europe and how it inspires global cinema. It develops further each year without suc- cumbing to the influence of Hollywood. It’s character is still defined by authors’ films which we could call “independent films”, but for the fact that national institutions which support film culture in their respective countries are regularly involved in their making. A new phenomenon, however, is a growing number of multicultural productions. Maybe this is why films from this area of Europe rather represent the personalities of their respective author instead of the culture and traditions of the countries they were made in. They become more and more universal, making their message more clear and also making it more accep- table for international audiences.

This year’s feature film competition will feature films that show the different interests of their makers: from tasteful art house cinema (WHITE GOD, PAPUSZA), cinema with a populi- stic claim (ROXANNE, COME TO MY VOICE, MONUMENT TO MICHAEL JACKSON, HUSH, BRIDES), to genre cinema (THE GODFATHER'S STORY, I WON'T COME BACK). I believe that the jury as well as the audience will be faced with a difficult task in choosing a winner. Because when you take into account the different criteria, then the deserving winner will constantly change. Personally, I prefer the mosaic formed by these nine films featured in the competition. It shows that looking East truly opens one’s eyes. 

Informations and tickets:

www.letsceefilmfestival.com/programme-overview-2014/category/spielfilm-wettbewerb.html