A REVIEW OF OTHERMOVIE LUGANO FILM FESTIVAL 2017 EDITION
General considerations
We certainly view the outcome of the 6th edition of the OtherMovie
Lugano Film Festival, which took place between 5th and 14th June last, in a
positive light. The growing and steady trend that has marked this small
festival since its inception has been confirmed; and there are a number of encouraging
signs – both large and small – which give us confidence for its future.
Venues and details
The festival involved, as usual, a number of venues across the local and
cantonal areas.
The festival, in keeping with tradition, also saw a number of music and
visual arts events and - as it seeks to extend its activities throughout the
year - one of its spin-off events took place during the 70th edition of the
Locarno Film Festival.
Outcome
The 2017 edition centred around the theme of violence in its varied
forms, as seen through cinematic as well as other artistic media. Many of our
offerings were followed by – in some cases lively - debates which helped shape
our cultural proposals.
The direct presence of a number of film authors and the attentive and
inquisitive audience around made it possible to discuss the chosen issues in a
serious and respectful manner, not only – we trust – without verging on the
banal but rather, offering further room for thought.
As for the competition itself, two were the awards bestowed. The jury –
made up of Victor Tognola, Andrea Gambetta, Marian Bader, Arminio Sciolli and
Gaston Dufuy – awarded best film to “Al di là del mare”(IT) by
Fabio Schifilliti and best director to Andrew Kotatko for “Whoever was using
this bed”(AUS) .
The audience
Overall, around 1000 people attended this edition. While this figure is
in line with that of the previous year and growing when compared with earlier
editions, looking at the numbers for each day is encouraging. Whereas in the
past, only certain events would bring in larger audiences, leaving little on
other nights, this year saw an evening out of presences throughout the
festival, a clear sign that – with the right schedule - OtherMovie’s offers are
deemed interesting overall and numbers may well grow still.
Not only were we very pleased with numbers but also with the quality of
the audience: attentive and interested and at the centre of engaging and
stimulating exchanges
Impact
The growing interest generated among the professionals is not only
certainly a matter of pride and confidence but it also represents a vital part
for a festival like OtherMovie’s. Numbers speak for themselves: we received
over 1,500 entries (from 94 countries) for our shorts competition. The media
and local authorities are also expressing greater interest and on the opening
night we were honoured to have the Cantonal delegate for the integration of
foreigners – Attilio Cometta – and the
Mayor of Lugano – Marco Borradori –
introduce the Festival.
Having said that, OtherMovie also gauges its impact within that natural
habitat that has seen it been born and grow: a union of different sensitivities
and origins which – put into a cultural context – have found in both Ticino and
Switzerland in general their own meeting place.
We are therefore very pleased that both foreign communities and local
partners welcome OtherMovie’s activities: this enables us to maintain valid
interlocutors whilst we evolve and open up to new and enriching experiences.
Final thoughts
As we said above, the signs are encouraging and we
are therefore pressing on along this path to further improve our offering and
put forward a program of even higher quality. Naturally, getting increased
funding is key to achieving this: we do not lack ideas, interest and positive
feedback, we just need greater financial support to ensure we are able to implement
our cultural and integration plans aptly.
The 7th edition will take place from 15th
to 21st April 2018; we are already working on it and look forward to
introducing it to you with a number of innovations and an even greater
collaboration with CISA (Conservatorio internazionale di scienze audiovisive)
which will also lead, hopefully, to the possibility of extending the issues
discussed during the festival to schools.
Thank you for your support.
Film "WELCOME TO LOS CABITOS" by Luis Cintora | Perù |
The theme of the 2018 edition:
OtherMovie 2018
- EconomicaMente (Economically Minded)
Ten years
after the onset of the Great Recession, OtherMovie 2018 edition will focus on the
economy
The
crisis that hit towards the end of the first decade of the new millenium has –
in one way or another – touched upon every continent and culture influencing
international politics, altering lifestyles and affecting people’s everyday
lives. At times it has put values and convictions under discussion.
Furthermore,
internal and global security have always been threatened by the close link
between terrorism and money.
There is
therefore no shortage of nuances. Also, in line with tradition, this edition
too will see each section of the Festival (music, visual arts, cinema, books, in-depth
analysis and talks) dealt with from different perspectives and viewpoints,
through films as well as moments of reflection and discussion, by picking up
suggestions and looking across to lesser-known realities, where international
media are less present, bringing into focus current affairs that unite East and
West.
Given
that OtherMovie Festival has always wished to encourage – across the spectrum
of artistic production, interaction among cultures across the world, one focus
of attention will also be on the social and economic integration of the foreign
communities present in Switzerland. Various studies have shown how success – in
professional, job-related and economic terms – is essential for a positive
outcome in integration.
The Festival will take place from 15th to
21st April 2018 across a number of cinemas and cultural venues in the Lugano
and Mendrisio areas. The official opening night featuring a video music show is
at Studio Foce Lugano on Sunday 15th.
The 2018 edition will be introduced in February 2018
during a special evening of screenings and debates dedicated to the connection
between the economy, wars and terrorism . This event is organized in
conjunction with other Festivals and agencies that operate in the field.
For further information, please see : www.othermovie.ch , or email us at: info@othermovie.ch
