The 64th International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg impressed with a strong Newcomer-competition, new program sections, a new location and a Master of Cinema, that is still learning

When the 64th International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg ends on Saturday, October 24 around 60,000 visitors – just like in the year before – will have gone on a special journey around the world with having left the cinema.

Films from 22 countries were presented by the festival, including productions from Malta, Bangladesh, Iran, Kazakhstan or Peru. And as is the tradition of the festival, the cultural dialog was sought in over 300 hosted talks between filmmakers and the audiences. “ The audience in Mannheim and Heidelberg has enthusiastically embraced our offer of a cinematic journey around the world “, so Festival Director Dr. Michael Kötz. “, Knowing other cultures in the world is so important, especially in the political situation at the moment. It helps take away our fear of the unknown and to stoke our curiosity to see what will develop. One of my favorite moments of the festival were the two free screenings in in der Franklin-Barracks, where 7,000 refugees are being housed next door. And there everyone came together and sat together in an improvised screening room.”

Olivier Assayas was honored as a Master of Cinema and was touched by the laudation, but feels he is still remains a student of the cinema.

The International Jury 2015 with Marion Hänsel, Jef Nuyts and Mark Spratt particularly praised the high quality of this year’s competition. The 22 films impressed through formal precision, strong acting and professional approach to storytelling and the approach towards their respective subjects.

Next to numerous innovations like the “World Cinema” program or the cooperation with “Enjoy Jazz”, the Serial Drama competition also attracted attention. For the first time this year, series from six countries were shown in addition to the newcomer film competition in order to start a dialog between the different worlds of the two formats. “I believe that film festivals should get involved in the new form of film expression of the series and to call for a standard of quality here as well.”, so Festival Director Dr. Michael Kötz. “We shouldn’t and don’t want to simply abandon series to pure commercialism.”

The Festival also organized the MANNHEIM MEETING PLACE for the sixth time this year under the direction of Julek Kedzierski. A key element of the MANNHEIM MEETING PLACE is that three to four months before the Festival begins, producers, film buyers and consultants meet to work through a selection of projects in order to seek end financing and implementation possibilities with co-producers. During this year’s festival, business meetings took place between start-up producers and consultants. Next year the international film industry and cinema lovers from all over the Rhein-Neckar region will once again come together in Mannheim and Heidelberg.

The 65th International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg will take place from November 4 to 19 in 2016.