The 35th FILMFEST MÜNCHEN opened tonight with a gala ceremony at the Mathäser Filmpalast
The 35th FILMFEST MÜNCHEN opened tonight with a gala ceremony at the Mathäser Filmpalast. Festival director Diana Iljine welcomed the approx. 1500 guests, saying “I’ve never been so relaxed facing so many people.
The reason is that me and my team are absolutely sure we will deliver a knockout program over the next nine days. The Filmfest is once again the product of a great deal of dedication, skill and talent from all involved.
We’re highly selective in our choice of films, and it shows in the program. This year, we’re screening 180 films from 60 countries. And I can say with great confidence, no matter what film you go to see, it will be worth it.”
Before Claire Denis presented her Cannes entry “Bright Sunshine In”, Bavarian State Minister of Economics Ilse Aigner greeted the guests, emphasizing that the Filmfest is dear to her heart, and her department will continue to back the event: “The State of Bavaria needs a stage on which to present socially relevant subjects. Bavaria needs a stage for intercultural dialogue and for mutual enrichment. In other words, Bavaria needs a stage on which filmmakers and film buffs can get together and converse.”
Munich Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter, who did the honors of officially opening the festival, welcomed the charm of FILMFEST MÜNCHEN: “While the big festivals of Cannes and Locarno turn 70 this year, Filmfest München turns half that age – 35 – and is so fresh and full of youthful charm you might not guess the Munich film industry is over 100 years old.”
After the gala screening of “Bright Sunshine In”, the film industry celebrated at the opening party with director Claire Denis and many other international guests in the Bayerischer Hof hotel.
premiere
Mathäser Filmpalast, Munich
