Photo By Jesus Velazquez
The 3rd Return International Film & Art Festival 2023, held from October 26 to 28 in Weimar, culminated in a remarkable celebration under the thought-provoking theme "FREEDOM, What Is It Good For?" The festival offered an in-depth exploration of freedom through a diverse selection of 25 outstanding films from over 50 countries, presenting a wide array of cultural perspectives.
The festival began with an opening event on October 26 outside the mon ami building, featuring a lively street festival attended by the Mayor of Weimar, Mr. Kisten; Ms. Miehe, the Director of Culture; and Ms. Hoppe from the Thuringian State Chancellery. That evening, the opening films were screened at the mon ami cinema in the presence of filmmakers and guests. Over the next three days, a variety of short films, animations, feature films, and documentaries were showcased in five blocks. Between screenings, audiences engaged in discussions with directors, allowing them to ask questions and vote for their favorite films.
The festival’s highlight was the closing event on October 29, which featured a speech by the Mayor of Weimar, the festival's patron. Awards were presented during this ceremony, including:
Best Documentary: "The Destiny of a Sherpa Woman" by Louise Thaller and Stanislas Giroux
Best Animation: "Living In A Bubble" by Natalie MacMahon and Nikola Drvoshanov
Best Feature Film: "Istina" by Tamara Denic
Audience Choice Award: "Fünfzehn Minuten" by Sejad Ademaj
The jury, comprising prominent actor Stephan Grossmann, acclaimed actress Martina Eitner-Acheampong, and esteemed film scholar Dr. Lioba Schlösser, ensured a thorough and discerning evaluation of the films.
The festival also featured various workshops, providing deeper insights into the world of cinema. These included:
Film Production: Led by Leon Brandt in collaboration with Nivre Film Studio
Radio Production and Press Freedom: Led by Florence von der Weth in collaboration with RadioLotte
Film Marketing: Led by Christian Koch in collaboration with ACC Galerie
Cultural Encounters in Animation Film: Led by Tina Wagner in collaboration with AWO Regionalverband Mitte-West-Thüringen e.V.
Additionally, a special event titled "Sustainable, Independent - Media Network" took place on October 27 at the mon ami cultural center, in partnership with THAK and MENT, where media and creative professionals could network and discuss the future of the media industry.
The organizers extend their sincere gratitude to all supporters and sponsors, especially Nivre Film Studio and the main sponsor Thüringen Staatskanzlei, whose support made the festival possible.
For those who missed the event, the winning films from the 3rd Return will be screened again on December 1, 2023, at Kino mon ami in Weimar.
We eagerly look forward to next year’s festival, where we will once again present a captivating selection of international films and cultural perspectives.
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