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preview: confrontations at Interfilm

In this 11th edition of the International Competition Confrontations, expect to see another memorable compilation that unites themes of social and world political importance in three programmes of extraordinary short fiction films and animations. Social injustice, intolerance, violence, war, exploitation and migration are just some of the themes that confront us every day in the media. Despite, or perhaps because of the constant onslaught of these and other complex topics, they run the risk of becoming outworn expressions that conceal the real consequences facing the individual.

The aim of the Confrontations competition is to fill these empty phrases with stories that convey a sense of relatedness, confront us with their authenticity and call for our empathy. Themes explored in this year’s programmes include people on the margins of society, everyday heroes, border crossers, refugees and those whose lives are dominated by external influences.

We’re pleased to announce that this year’s Confrontations Competition is supported by the Foundation “Remembrance, Responsibility and Future”.

Well-known Iranian director, Jafar Panahi, whose second-last film The Accordion will be shown in Confrontations, has been banned from his profession for 20 years and sentenced to 6 years imprisonment. This was confirmed by the Iranian government shortly before going to press. We vehemently condemn the fact that the work of an independent filmmaker can lead to the total loss of his/her freedom.

interfilm FESTIVAL 2011