Page 13 - 30. Internationales Filmfestival SCHLiNGEL

Grußworte Welcoming addresses

It is a special honour and pleasure for me to open the doors of SCHLiNGEL for the 30th time in
Chemnitz. Actually, no one in this city had been waiting for a film festival. On the contrary, not even
the closure of all cinemas except for the Metropol in the years after the fall of the Berlin Wall until
1995 provoked any major protests. It was therefore by no means certain how the idea of a film fes-
tival would be received. The first two festivals took place at the ”Kino im Kraftwerk”. Together with
the initiators of Chemnitzer Filmwerkstatt, a screen measuring 11.50 metres in width was erected
in the large hall of the Kraftwerk cultural centre (formerly Fritz Heckert Clubhouse) – which was
larger than the screen in the only remaining regular cinema. This became the venue of the first two
SCHLiNGEL editions. It is a very special feeling to see how the festival has grown, survived moves
to new screens, welcomed the world to the cinema, taken films out into the world, and provided
countless children and young people with unforgettable film, cinematic and festival experiences
over the years. It is a feeling that I do not take for granted. Without the backing of all the little – and
now grown-up – film fans, none of this would have been possible!
It is a fortunate coincidence that our anniversary edition is taking place in the very year when Chem-
nitz, the home town of SCHLiNGEL, is being celebrated as European Capital of Culture. And it is
one more reason for Europe to be at the centre of attention during the 30th edition – both in a film
programme focusing on our continent and in the European Childrenʼs Jury consisting of 60 children,
the largest jury ever in this particular year.
We are delighted to offer all visitors a programme that is as diverse as our world. A total of 212 pro-
ductions from 58 countries invite regional audiences and international guests from the film industry
alike to embark on a cinematic journey around the world, demonstrating once again that there is
much more that unites us than divides us.
However, none of this would have been possible, neither today nor in the past 30 years, without the
tireless support of people and institutions that have stood reliably by our side. Without our co-or-
ganiser, the Saxon State Media Authority, all our supporters, sponsors and partners, the screens
would have remained blank; and without the backing of the people of Chemnitz, the cinemas would
have remained empty. I would therefore like to express my sincere thanks to these parties for their
support and, above all, to the cityʼs film fans, both young and old!
With this in mind, I would like to invite you to celebrate the SCHLiNGEL anniversary together, and I
wish all of us an unforgettable festival week.

Michael Harbauer

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