The Most Successful Crossing Europe Film Festival Ever
In the six years since its launch, the Linz Film Festival has made a real name for itself among European cinéastes. At the gala awards ceremony held last Saturday night, a total of €21,000 in prize money was handed out in several categories. This has been Linz09’s third year as chief benefactor of the Crossing Europe Award European Competition.
Attendance at the 177 films from 33 countries approached 18,000 at the OK Offenes Kulturhaus and the Moviemento and City Kino art houses over the past week. The Nightline get-togethers on the OK Mediendeck also drew big crowds, with many film lovers spending the mild evenings alfresco in the Linz09 Lounge. In addition to the 130 directors who exhibited their work, this up-and-coming festival also attracted more than 500 accredited film industry professionals to Linz.“Uzak Ihtimal / Wrong Rosary” by Turkish director Mahmut Fazil Coskun garnered the Crossing Europe Award European Competition that comes with €10,000 in prize money donated by Linz09. A Special Mention went to Swedish director Ruben Östlund for “De Ofrivilliga/Involuntary.” Alexis Dos Santos was singled out for recognition with the ray Audience Prize (€5,000) for “Unmade Beds.” This year, there were two recipients of the Crossing Europe Award Local Artist (totaling €6,000) endowed by the Province of Upper Austria’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Synchro Film & Video Processing. The cash prize of €4,000 went to Martin Music for “Drauf”; Harald Hund and Paul Horn received the €2,000 merchandise prize for “Dropping Furniture.” The jurors also awarded a Special Mention to “Romeo und Julia (Franz und Rosi)” by students at the Steinerkirchen Secondary School.
