17th Federal Congress of Municipal Cinemas

The 17th Federal Congress of Municipal Cinemas takes the 50th anniversary of the first municipal cinema in Frankfurt am Main as an opportunity to reflect on the historical development of municipal film work and its present. Since 1972, when cultural politician Hilmar Hoffmann legally achieved an equal status of municipal cinemas with other recognized public cultural institutions, more than 150 non-commercial and municipal cinemas have been founded in Germany. From June 17 to 19, the congress looks back on 50 years of cinema history and offers an extensive program with readings, lectures, panel discussions, discussion rooms and a public film program.

What can cinema makers learn from the past? How can existing structures be enriched by innovative projects in order to preserve the cultural practice of cinema for future generations? In addition to contributions from the ranks of the Federal Association of Municipal Film Work, cinemas and initiatives from Germany, Austria and Switzerland will also contribute to the program. This year, the DFF is hosting and partnering with Filmforum Höchst, Pupille – Kino in der Uni, Filmkollektiv Frankfurt and Kinothek Asta Nielsen.

In the public program, the DFF presents the newly digitized film AM AMA AM AMAZONAS by the Frankfurt collective “Epplewoi Motion Pictures.” Completed in 1969, the premiere did not take place until ten years later in May 1980 at the Kommunales Kino in Frankfurt (Municipal Cinema Frankfurt). Thematically and aesthetically a contemporary document par excellence, the film tells the story of Marion in semi-documentary style, who makes three men believe they are the father of her unborn child. The directors Reinhard Kahn and Pavel Schnabel are guests.

The Kinothek Asta Nielsen shows ZUM BEISPIEL GESCHIRRHERSTELLUNG and MEINE GROSSMUTTER ZEIGT UND ERZÄHLT BÄUERLICHE HAUSARBEIT, films by Beate Rose. The Filmkollektiv Frankfurt shows Curt A. Engel’s OPERATION STADTBAHN and ATLANTIS – EIN SOMMERMÄRCHEN. Also screening is the winner of this year’s Caligari Film Award, GEOGRAPHIES OF SOLITUDE by Jacquelyn Mills.

For more information, visit www.kommunale-kinos.de