More than films – running a film festival

Once again the Berlinale is bringing together film-makers, critics and fans from all over the world. Every year to coincide with this important film festival, the DW-AKADEMIE conducts an intensive five week workshop: Film Festival and Film Management for young festival promoters from Africa and Asia.

Arthur Mataruse from Capetown, South Africa, and Luzviminda Casagan from Pesay City in the Philippines are among the participants. Mataruse works for Encounters and the Out in Africa Film Festivals and Casagan works for the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

We spoke to both of them to find out more about film festivals and film-making in their home countries.

How would you describe the importance of films in your home country?

Arthur Mataruse: For us, films mainly play the role of strengthening culture and common identity in South Africa. Our aim is also to show other cultures and lifestyles.

Luzviminda Casagan: In the Philippines, fewer people are going to the cinema. One reason is because films are easier to find on DVD or on the internet. That means it's more difficult for film-makers to distribute and sell their films. Our aim with the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival is to support young Filipino film-makers whose films provide new insights and pursue new concepts, especially to promote art and culture.

Describe for us the local working and production conditions for film-makers, producers and directors in your home country?

Luzviminda Casagan: In the Philippines, producers who act within the “mainstream-film industry” maintain a monopoly. Film producers outside the mainstream do not have a lot of money and resources to produce their films. They need financial support but also back-up in the field of marketing and distribution. That gave us the idea to establish the festival. At this year’s Berlinale you can watch two films made by Filipino film-makers: Halaw by Sheron Dayoc and Sampaguita, National Flower by Francis Xavier E. Pasion. They've both been financed pro-rata by our festival.

Arthur Mataruse: South Africa has a growing and interesting film and TV industry. We have many talents. During our festivals Encounters and Out in Africa Film Festival we offer workshops for documentary film-makers to boost the production of documentaries in South Africa. Some noteworthy examples of productions made by South African film-makers are Totsi, Yesterday and White Wedding – which all attracted international attention and have been nominated for several awards. Many South African films deal with the history of our country, especially the apartheid era. The so-called Queer-production also plays an important role in South Africa – the films and plays that deal with homosexuality, transsexuality or bisexuality. One prominent artist in this area is Evita Bezuidenhout who received a special Teddy Award at this year’s Berlinale.

What is the most interesting part of this workshop for you?

Luzviminda Casagan: I learned a lot, especially how to set up and use systems when organizing festivals. We discussed the computer program Eventival for example. With this program you can plan and conduct a film festival without using paper. I also learned many things, for example, how to use the internet for festival organisation, marketing and time management. I will pass all this information on to my colleagues and adopt it in my work.

Arthur Mataruse: This workshop is excellent. I think my best experience so far was meeting the other participants. It's a special gift, because we found out that the only difference between us is geography. We all have had different experiences with our work and in life. And to be here in Berlin, to experience the art, culture and history is just amazing.

What will you take back with you from the European and German colleagues that you've met?

Luzviminda Casagan: I saw how disciplined the Germans are. We Filipinos should adopt it. I want to bring a little discipline back to my home country and share it with my fellow citizens.

Arthur Mataruse: Accuracy and discipline. What I also learned from the Germans is to be open for everything.

Author: Kathrin Reinhard

Translation: Ariane Missuweit