Internationales Filmfest Oldenburg (27)

Début du Festival: 16 septembre 2020      Fin du Festival: 20 septembre 2020

“The Biggest Little Fest In Europe” - The Hollywood Reporter

Rated among the top 5 Film Festivals worldwide for Independent Films by American film critic Chris Gore in his esteemed “Ultimate Film Festival Guide”, and ranked “Top 25 Coolest Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker, Oldenburg has fostered its success with a strong commitment to innovative and Independent filmmaking.

“If there's anything that could be considered the Promised Land of Independent Cinema in Europe today, it is Oldenburg.” - Accred - L'actualité des festivals de cinéma

Labelled ‘the German Sundance’ by Variety, Hollywood Reporter, and Screen International, amongst others, Oldenburg has evolved while preserving its intimate atmosphere and founding purpose: to celebrate and support the diverse voices and visions of independent filmmakers, to honor the creativity of the artists upon which the Festival depends, and to create a unique experience and inspiring meeting place for filmmakers, audiences, and media professionals.

“Oldenburg - renown for its determination, cinephilia, and openness for the extremes - impresses with its brilliant programming.” - GRIP

Additionally, in an effort to raise awareness and build bridges between worlds through the common language of film, Oldenburg is the only Film Festival in the world that annually screens part of its regular program to incarcerated individuals who share the experience with members of the general public in an actual high-security Prison environment, known as ‘The Alcatraz of the North’.

“Oldenburg thrives as a discovery channel.” - Screen International

In addition to supporting the discovery of new artists, Oldenburg has hosted the German Premieres of films by such acclaimed filmmakers as Darren Aronofsky, Brian De Palma, Steven Soderbergh, Michael Polish, Johnnie To, Chan-wook Park, Monte Hellmann, & Takeshi Kitano amongst others. Guests of honor have included Jim McBride, Larry Clark, Philippe de Broca, Andrzej Zulawski, Ken Russell, Jerry Schatzberg, James Toback, Radley Metzger, Ted Kotcheff, Phedon Papmichael, George Armitage, Christophe Honoré, Edward R. Pressman, & Bruce Robinson who have all attended the festival for Retrospectives of their work.

“Just as impressive as the films was the festival itself, which, under the inspired direction of Torsten Neumann, combined intelligent cinephilia with a laid-back atmosphere of democratic equality.” - Sight and Sound

Nicolas Cage, Seymour Cassel, Asia Argento, Keira Knightley, Deborah Kara Unger, Mira Sorvino, Bobcat Goldthwait, Michael Wadleigh, Joanna Cassidy, Luke Wilson, Ben Gazzara, Stacy Keach, Amanda Plummer, Keith Carradine, Sean Baker, & Matthew Modine are amongst many who have attended as honored guests or for Tributes in their honor.

“Alongside Venice and Toronto, Oldenburg is considered one of the most important Autumn Festivals for Independent Cinema” - de Telegraaf

Rated #1 in Germany on The Most Important Autumn Film Festivals List for and by the German Film Industry (Blickpunkt Film), and #3 internationally after Venice & TIFF, Oldenburg is regarded as “one of the most important European festivals for independent cinema" (Tagesschau).

“Oldenburg is a pilgrimage for cineastes.”- Die Zeit

The "German Independence Award – Best Film"

All films selected for the Independent section are nominated for the award. The award is voted for by cinemagoers attending public screenings.


The "German Independence Award – Best First Film"

Eligible are all first Feature Films in the Festival programm. The award is decided by an international jury of respected film professionals appointed by the Advisory Board and Festival Director.


The "German Independence Award – Originality, Daring, and Audacity"

All films selected for the Midnite Xpress section are nominated for the award. The award is decided by an international jury of respected film professionals appointed by the Advisory Board and Festival Director.


The “Seymour Cassel Award- Outstanding Performance ”

Named in homage to indie icon and longtime Festival friend and supporter, Seymour Cassel, the award honors a Female and Male actor for ‘Outstanding Performance’. All performances by artists in films selected for competition in the Independent Section are eligible for nomination. The awards are decided by an international jury of respected film professionals appointed by the Advisory Board and Festival Director.


The "German Independence Award – Best Short Film"

All films selected for the Short Film Section are nominated for the award. The award is decided by a jury of respected film professionals appointed by the Festival Director.

Note: Winners of the above awards consent to include the logo of the Festival and corresponding award laurels when advertising the film (i.e) on posters and in advertisements.

1. General Information


The Oldenburg International Film Festival is a non-competitive film festival, curated to provide a platform for unique discoveries and the bold and innovative works of both established and emerging filmmakers worldwide. With a tradition of covering film in all its aspects, feature films, short films and documentaries of all origins are embraced.


2. Key Dates and Submission Deadlines


The 27th Oldenburg International Film Festival takes place from September 16-20, 2020.

There are three submission deadlines:
Earlybird: Friday 27 March 2020
Regular: Friday 29 May 2020
Late: Friday 19 June 2020

*Please note – submission fees are non-refundable


3. Festival Sections


Festival sections include the following categories:

Independent, International, Midnite Xpress, Shorts, Retrospective, Tribute.


4. Selection of Films and Notification


The Oldenburg International Film Festival selection committee decides which films will participate in the Festival. The committee's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Selected films will be notified by August 15, 2020, approximately.


5. Film Length


Submitted short films should not be longer than 49 minutes; submitted feature films must be longer than 49 minutes.


6. Screening Format


For screening purposes DCP, Blu-ray, ProRes all PAL European standard.


7. Entry and Eligibility


At the time of entry (if not submitted via Festhome) a preview DVD (PAL or NTSC) should be sent at the sender's expense to:
Oldenburg International Film Festival
Bahnhofstrasse 15
26122 Oldenburg
Germany
or via a secure link to: submissions@filmfest-oldenburg.de

Along with the screener we welcome you to send us the following material:

* a detailed synopsis of the film

* the biography, filmography and a recent photo of the director

* photographs or transparencies of the film

* press materials and posters

* a listing of participation and awards received at any other film festivals.

The Festival is not responsible for returning support material and DVDs.

All films must be available in German, English or with English subtitles if not in German or English.

Films that have had their cinematic release in Germany before the Festival dates are not eligible.


8. Awards


The "German Independence Award – Best Film"

All films selected for the Independent section are nominated for the award. The award is voted for by cinemagoers attending public screenings.


The "German Independence Award – Best First Film"

Eligible are all first Feature Films in the Festival programm. The award is decided by an international jury of respected film professionals appointed by the Advisory Board and Festival Director.


The "German Independence Award – Originality, Daring, and Audacity"

All films selected for the Midnite Xpress section are nominated for the award. The award is decided by an international jury of respected film professionals appointed by the Advisory Board and Festival Director.


The “Seymour Cassel Award- Outstanding Performance ”

Named in homage to indie icon and longtime Festival friend and supporter, Seymour Cassel, the award honors a Female and Male actor for ‘Outstanding Performance’. All performances by artists in films selected for competition in the Independent Section are eligible for nomination. The awards are decided by an international jury of respected film professionals appointed by the Advisory Board and Festival Director.


The "German Independence Award – Best Short Film"

All films selected for the Short Film Section are nominated for the award. The award is decided by a jury of respected film professionals appointed by the Festival Director.

Note: Winners of the above awards consent to include the logo of the Festival and corresponding award laurels when advertising the film (i.e) on posters and in advertisements.


9. Shipping – for selected films only


If selected, the exhibition copy of your film must be available for shipment from August 18, 2020.

The Festival agrees to cover the cost of shipping and insuring prints in both directions. The exceptions are shipment to or from other festivals, in which case standard practice of cost sharing will apply. All prints will be returned to the address indicated by the sender within three weeks of the last day of the Festival.


10. Liability


In case of loss or damage to a print, the obligation of the Festival is limited to compensating the producer or distributor only to the cost of making a new print. Prints are fully insured during the period of possession by the Oldenburg International Film Festival, normal wear and tear excepted.

The Festival Director has the right to rule on all cases not foreseen by these regulations as well as allowing for exceptions. By submitting the entry form the assigned accepts these regulations.