The short film section has entered its second year under a new name, Berlinale Shorts, for the 58th Berlin International Film Festival. The festival made a statement last year by introducing a dedicated short film section and in doing so reaffirmed the significance of the genre for film production in general. “The short film is a reflection of how society is changing. It is radical and without constrictions,” remarks festival Director, Dieter Kosslick.
From 2008, all short films in the Berlinale Shorts section will be presented as world premieres. “In this way, current international trends in film making can be witnessed on the big screen”, says Maike Mia Höhne, curator of Berlinale Shorts. “Over 1500 submissions from 64 countries is evidence that the production of this type of film production continues to thrive.”
From the approximately 30 films which will be shown in the course of the Berlinale Shorts program, around 10 will be included in the competition for the Golden and Silver Bears. The international, three-person short film jury will also award the Prix UIP for the best European film and the DAAD prize for a future scholarship holder.
On Monday 11 February 2008, the section Berlinale Shorts, together with the Berlinale Talent Campus #6 and the Forum expanded, will present a festival day devoted to short film. Alongside screenings and a forum designed to facilitate exchanges between film makers and visitors to the various sections, there will be a discussion event.
The Berlin audience will also be treated to another short film night Wednesday 13 February 2008. An extensive programme of short films will be put together comprising films from all sections of the festival.
Altogether the Berlinale presents around 60 short films each year across the various sections – in addition to Berlinale Shorts this is the Perspektive Deutsches Kino, Generation and Forum expanded. They are presented in blocks of up to two hours, offering a rather special type of journey.
