As Karin Fritzsche, the curator of the Hungarian selection in Cottbus writes in his introduction: “15 programmes would not be enough either to give a fully comprehensive overview of the past 15 years’ Hungarian film production since Hungarian cinema is  far more complex, exciting, ambitious and innovative.”

At the opening ceremony – as a worthy initiation of the FOCUS HUNGARY – the Honorary President of the festival, István Szabó accepts the festival’s Life Achievement Award personally.

At this year’s competition programme Johanna by Kornél Mundruczó, Stop Mom Theresa! by Péter Bergendy and Before Dawn by Bálint Kenyeres represent the variety of year 2005.
Dorka Gryllus was invited among the members of the jury. The organisers did not forget about the children either. The youth of Cottbus have the possibility to get to know the heroes of our childhood, too while screening the evergreens The Seventh Brother (Jenő Koltai – Tibor Hernádi), A Harum-Scarum Family (György Palásthy) and Arthur and the Angel (Attila Dargay – Pál Nagy).

At the coproduction forum “ConnectingCottbus” running parallel to the festival the focus will again be on Hungary. The Film Law will be discussed; professionals of the international film financing will study Dallas Pashamende  by Robert Adrán Pejó. There will not be a lack of novelties either, since future coproducers can also get to know the newest film plans of Áron Gauder, Tamás Keményffy, György Pálfi and Ferenc Török at the “Connecting Cottbus”.

source: www.filmunio.hu
festival page: www.connecting-cottbus.de