The main films have been arranged in seven programmes that are connected thematically or geographically. These categories are: the Interregional Competition, Interregional Panorama, Interregional – Greek Crisis, Us Northerners, India Today, Lost and Northern Creatures. These programmes can be found under ‘Programma’ on this website. Of course there are plenty of other competitions, specials and activities such as workshops, which also can be found on this website.
The Interregional Panorama
The Interregional Panorama shows high profile films and documentaries from all over Europe. The programme has a wide scope and acts as a cinematic, political, social and cultural expedition through Europe. It offers historical insights, and in the best case scenario, the films reflect current events as well. Furthermore, the programme provides a view into the great story of European cinema, which is constantly reorientating and redefining itself, and proves again to have great power and quality. We present new talent, honour film masters, play with the imagination, offer historical facts and feed your curiosity.
Nordic me, nordic you
In addition to the interregional focus, the north takes a central place in the programming of the Northern Film Festival. In this particular programme, the geographical compass points to all that is moving between Reykjavik, Luxemburg, Tallinn and Rovaniemi. In cooperation with the Nordic film institutes, the Flanders Audiovisual Fund, the Nordische Filmtage Lübeck, distributors and many other partners, we present a selection of films that will define the Northern Film Festival permanently as the broadest platform for northern films in the Benelux. Northern cinema has arrived, landed and rooted in Leeuwarden and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Moving images – Kids these days
The choice of the Leeuwarder Courant
You go to secondary school, or on a holiday without your parents for the first time. You learn how to deal with your own limitations, or with your annoying little sister. You feel lonely, your parents don’t understand you, friends come and go. And you, you want to be the best, or the prettiest, simply be happy, or just yourself.
Growing up sometimes hurts, but has its happy moments too. A large group of Dutch documentary makers recorded the lives of many children and young adults over the past years. All documentaries were filmed from the children’s perspectives. The result is a remarkable collection of moving, sometimes humorous short films. Together, the documentaries present a unique portrait of ‘kids these days’.
The Leeuwarder Courant together with the Northern Film Festival present ‘Moving Images’, a yearly recurring series of moving, personal documentaries about topical subjects. This year, Dutch youth documentaries take centre stage. This genre gains high praise internationally. Many films in this part of the programme already won awards at other festivals. Almost every day one of the directors will be present for an introduction to the film. Afterwards there will be opportunity to ask the film makers questions. The films are suitable for adults as well as children from the age of ten.
Interregional – Rumble in Greece
A new film movement is occurring in Greece. Many Greek film makers are provocative and inquisitive and hold up a mirror to the chronically frustrated society. They stress the personal and keep away from patriotism. Their criticism is aimed at hypocrisy, corruption and the lack of social vision, issues that are at the foundation of the crisis. The film makers demythologize and use irony, letting families take the rap for it. In their eyes, dysfunctional families also function as a breeding ground for suppression and morbidity. The classic films in this part of the programme offer a platform for this story. The films have been selected in cooperation with Konstantinos Kontovrakis.
Northern creatures
They have always been around. But suddenly there seems no escaping them anymore: northern creatures are forcing themselves upon us more forcefully than ever. Two northern zombie films are made as we speak, Shouf Shouf Zombibi and Zone261, Cinema Ascona presented the film Dead Snow a while ago, and camera man Hoyte van Hoytema was honoured at the festival last year for his work on vampire film Let The Right One In. So it’s about time for a more elaborate northern overview of vampires, zombies, trolls, Sinterklaas and several Santa Clauses, and the movie that was the cornerstone for our creative relationship with the dark unconsciousness: the classic Vampyr. One thing is for sure: vampires are sexy, zombies are not.
Eye on india
No country is more productive when it comes to filmmaking than India. For Indian people, going to the film is not just a pastime: they will spend their last dime to see one. Most films are made in the studios of Mumbai, Bollywood, but that is not all there is to Indian cinema. Since the beginning of this century, a new, independent, artistic cinema has been unfolding. More young Indians are taking risks and are becoming professionals in new fields, undoubtedly with help from the latest digital techniques and an increasing openness to the west. There is no doubt that in the next few years a stream of intriguing, innovative, politically tinted and exciting films from India will come our way. During the festival, we offer a taste of what is in store. The short films were selected by Rada Šešić.
Lost
Lost is a selection of films featuring characters who move around unattached from the world, free from anything that is considered fashionable or normal. The characters have left their paths, don’t follow the original direction anymore, or are completely off the track as a result of accidental circumstances, and unable to find their way back. They deviate from the norm, are a danger to bystanders and seem to have lost their minds. Of course, these lost ones are very capable of imagining that they know exactly what they do and where they are going. After all, it is all a matter of perspective.