Berlinale Film Festival 2009

This morning, tickets for one of the most prestigious film festivals in Europe went on sale. The 59th Berlinale Film Festival opens on February 5 and lasts till February 15.

Berlin traditionally opens the winter term and partially serves as a European premiere for American film just before the Oscars. Berlinale came forward, during the last seven years, on the map of Europe and hosts today the largest audience of any film festival in the world, around 200,000 viewers. With up to 400 films every year of every genre, lenght and format, it’s comes as no surprise that it attracts the audience from around the world who come to witness this spectacle.

But what would be a film festival without the awards…Silver and Golden Bears are awarded to all category winners by the international jury. The official Berlinale awards are given to winners of “Competition” (major international films), the “Panorama” (independent and art-house cinema), the “Forum” (experimental section), the “Generation” (aimed at young audiences) section and Alfred Baner Prize for a film that opens new perspectives in the art of filmmaking. As well as Berlinale Shorts section and Christal Bears for the “Generation” section. In earlier years of Berlinale, the audience was the highest jury; but since the festival was given an “A-status”, the international jury became the highest even though the audience still has a possibility to vote.

Festival films will be shown in a number of cinemas around Berlin as it’s written in the programme. Tickets can be bought on central ticket counter every day (starting today, February 2), through Eventim network with € 2 surcharge or they can be booked online (limited amount) with € 1,50 surcharge. Tickets range from €3-€15, depending where the film is shown.

Berlinale hosts films for all parts of Europe and the world every year. Though, it seams like it’s gaining it’s popularity for a combination of European directors and Hollywood actors.

None the less, it’s a great opportunity for all film enthusiasts to visit and enjoy Berlin during this two-week period.

Some of this year’s competitors:

Mei Lanfang (Chen Kaige, China)

Eden e a l’ouest/Eden is west (France, Greece, Italy)

Mammorth (Sweden)

Tatarak (Poland)

In the electrical mist (France, USA)

Berlinale has introduced and offers another advantage; guests and visitors are able to receive all contents of this year’s film festival on their mobile phone as well as a guide for an interesting selection of galleries, museums, wellness spots, and other sights. Everything is going online and is getting more accessible. Congrats to Berlinale organization!

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

Paris Autumn Festival

Travelling to Paris in autumn is a great choice. Except the beautiful and lively city with an unfailing scene, it never ceases to surprise with new events from the art world.

Paris Autumn Festival is an event that has been occupying the stakeholders since 1972. The festival rapidly became a crossroads for avant-garde and forward looking artistic creation. It takes place from September to December every year on numerous places around Paris like Centre Pompidou, La Cinematheque Francaise, Jeu de Paume, La Maison Rouge (Antoine de Galbert foundation), La Maison de la Culture du Japon a Paris, Opera National de Paris Bastille, Odeon and many, many other theaters and venues.

If you are already in Paris consider going to this festival and actually visiting some of this amazing places. As I always say…you can walk around the city and see all the architecture, but until you come in and participate, you haven’t really experienced it; you’re just another tourist with a guide in your hand and with an answer to a question “Why did you decide to go to Paris?”, “because it beautiful”. And I will ask you: “Are you serious?!” Because the better question would be…what are you passionate about that you can find and do in Paris and what do you want your Paris experience to be?

The Autumn Festival activities fall into four categories

- to present original works not previously produced in France

- to commission new work, often in collaboration with leading French, and European institutions and North American partners

- to provoke and to present experimental work

- to provide access to non-western cultures, featuring major presentations from different countries and civilizations, including Japan, China, Australia, Morocco, India, Korea, Egypt, South Africa, Iran…

The program includes events relating to visual arts, theater, dance, music, cinema and other. It’s very dynamic and with a range of performances on different subjects, it will be a tough to choose one show over the other. But Parisians live and breathe art and culture, so gratification is guaranteed.

*The Paris Autumn Festival lasts from September 13 to December 21 this year.

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

European festivals in October – Part 2

The Ulster Bank Dublin Theater Festival

This 18-day festival starts at the end of September through middle October (2008: Sep 25-Oct 11) and takes place on various locations in Dublin. This is a great opportunity to see major Irish theatrical works in development before they reach full production on the stage. As a visitor, you are also a participant, you are able to see rehearsed readings, open rehearsals and semi-staged performances which are followed by feedback from the audience which will, that way, be able to participate in development. If you are an artist, you can be one of 18 theater practitioners from all disciplines that will be chosen to participate in intense programme of performances, talks and workshops.

Festival also features film series, creative dance workshops that are designed to give participants a deeper understanding of the show and its themes, different panel discussions…

Tickets can be bought separate, for each performance or one of the whole 18-day event that includes all performances, workshops and talks for €250.

The Times BFI London Film Festival

This film festival showcases some of the best new films from all around the world. This year it is held from 15-30 October. Festival includes special screenings of most anticipated films of the year (Vicky Christina Barcelona, Quantum of Solace… ), new British Cinema (best new films from around Britain), French Revolutions, best of European and World Cinema, rediscovered classics from around the world too, animation… There is also Experimenta with cutting edge and avant garde films and outdoor screenings on Trafalgar Square where live music will be accompanying archive films celebrating London.

Needless to say, you will definitely enjoy it. The Times BFI Film festival isn’t just about the showcases but includes interesting events like onstage interviews with leading figures in contemporary cinema (2008: Benicio del Torro, Danny Boyle…), conversations with some festival filmmakers (Charlie Kaufman), free events like discussions about popular themes and others to meet even the most eclectic tastes.

It’s best to book you tickets in advance because it’s hard to get them last minute. You can buy them for the shows you want to watch, separate, or buy vouchers.

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

European festivals in October – Part 1

Every month, hundreds of festivals are held all around Europe. Cinema, theatre, visual arts, dance, books, music, food, flowers…are just some of the frequent themes that gather thousands of people on these events.

To cover different regions and different interests, I choose these to talk about:

Whiskey & Beer Festival in Stockholm, Sweden

Festivals is held for two weekends, one in September and one in October in Nacka Strand Factory. With a wide variety of whiskeys and beers, over 15,000, visitors will find new tastes and discover new drinks. Everyone receives a souvenir pint glass upon their arrival. Except tastings, you can watch the award manifestation and enjoy many restaurants on the spot as well as the entertainment program.

Flamenco biennale in Sevilla, Spain

Almost a month long, held through September and October, Flamenco festivals are held every two years (2008). Numerous performances by European and South American artists make only one, though the best, part of all the events during biennale. There are also courses, workshops, seminars held by international experts; and even exhibitions.

Salon du Chocolate in Paris, France

This Chocolate event is held every year in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Peking, Moscow and Shanghai. Let’s focus on Parisian even at the end of October (this year Oct 29-Nov 2) at Porte de Versailles. With over 400 participants and 350,000 visitors every year just in Paris, it shows the popularity and scale of this event. The goal is to showcase the skills of the people who produce exceptional products. You can listen to lectures and watch recipes demonstrations live every hour by renowned chefs, chocolate-makers and cooks. There is a chocolate fashion show that gathers best international talents, both fashion designers and chocolatiers. World’s best chocolate craftsmen and most remarkable chocolates are chosen and awarded.

Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

The world’s largest fair with over 6 million visitors from around the globe is a beer festival. It lasts 16 days throughout September and October in Munich, Bavaria. Manifestations are held in tents where visitors can taste pale lager beers between 5 and 6% abv supplied by 6 breweries known as the Big Six: Spaten, Lowenbrau, Augustiner, Hofbrau, Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr. Big part of this event are also parades and celebrations, eating traditional food etc.

Stella – European Travelling Advisor