European Network Film & Democracy

„United as filmmakers, we can actively defend and celebrate democracy, freedom of art and media, human dignity and inclusion through meaningful storytelling, helping to build a fairer Europe for all“ (Netzwerk Film und Demokratie)

The German Network Film & Democracy was founded in 2020 as a coalition of organizations in the film and media industry against the influence of far right politics on cultural and media production. The attacks by right-wing extremist groups on culture and media are now at least a Europe-wide problem and are already restricting filmmakers in their work. A democratic network must therefore also be conceived in European terms.

For the 5th Congress Future German Cinema we invite filmmakers, associations and organizations from all over Europe to discuss and form a European Network for Film and Democracy.

We especially want to give room to filmmakers who currently work under oppressive conditions and welcome their input in particular. It is important to hear from people affected by undemocratic governments in order to be able to support them adequately, to learn from their experiences, and also to recognise patterns and events forming in our own structures.

While some proposals have already been brought forward, all ideas and proposals will be heard and discussed during the workshop itself in order to give everyone a chance to contribute. In order to form an egalitarian, diverse and functioning network, structural questions will need to be discussed collaboratively during the workshop. Matters such as legal structure, governance, financing, and goals will be decided together during the foundational workshop.

Friday, April 25th
10:00 – 15:30
Europa

With:

Burhan Qurbani
Michael Chauvistré (BVR)
Bill Anderson (FERA)
Prof. Kurt Brazda (IMAGO)
Chris Oosterom
Representatives of ACID
Dr. Christina Busch
Morgane Remter
tba.

Hosts:
Uri Aviv
Geraldine de Bastion
Michael Hack
Connie Walther