The Same Every Year ...
or Albert Einstein sends his regards

At the Festival of Nations in Lenzing I saw many good films but few Austrian filmmakers. It is similar with the Golden Diana and the Walser Film Festival. As an excuse I hear "foreign language competence", "annoying subtitles" or even "this is no amateur film" and the like.
Unfortunately, this behaviour also applies to longstanding VÖFA judges.

• You must have heard that you can greatly expand your own horizons by viewing foreign films.
  
• That from the jury’s arguments your own future works can benefit.
  
• That a poor showing is not always the fault of the jury (nor of the technicians or the running-order.)
  

But between knowledge and action, there is a component, which I will not go into. A maxim quoted by Einstein: 

"There are two things that are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. I'm not quite sure about the universe."

See our list of festivals - here

An international festival especially is more than just looking at your own film on the big screen. Become familiar with foreign cultures, have a reunion with friends, exchange ideas, learn to understand film makers better. 

Hence my appeal for more tolerance, more festival tourism, more visits to international festivals. 

Incidentally, it is high time to register with UNICA in St. Petersburg. Says Erich, who will travel to this event with eleven friends from his film club.
- Erich Riess

See the festivals under UNICA patronage here

This article first appeared in 'Freizeit Info' magazine (Ausgabe 2015-02)