1 - Organizers
The 39th Forum will take place in Berlin from February 5 to 15, 2009, within the framework of the 59th Berlin International Film Festival. It is organized independently by the Friends of the German Film Archive (Freunde der Deutschen Kinemathek e. V.).
2 - Objectives
New trends in world cinema, promising narrative forms and fresh voices receive special attention at the Forum. Whether it be avant-garde, experimental, reflective films, studies or portraits over time or political documentaries – films that go beyond the mainstream and beat new, unconventional paths in filmmaking are welcome here. The programme highlights directorial debuts and innovative works by young filmmakers. The Forum programme brings together feature films and documentary films on an equal footing, and in particular emphasizes the borders and intersections between the various genres.
Through public discussions with the filmmakers following all screenings as well as through comprehensive informational materials, the Forum provides an appropriate context for the reception of each individual film. The Forum places value on the impetus of the event remaining in effect even after the Festival. The Friends of the German Film Archive strive therefore, in co-operation with the owners of the rights of films screened in the Festival, to arrange distribution of these films.
3 - Selection
The selection of the films takes place through the director of the Forum in consensus with the selection committee. By special invitation, a number of films will be screened in connection with the selected national focus of the Forum.
4 - Admissible Films
Only those films are eligible for participation in the Forum which:
- were produced within the 12 months preceding the beginning of the Festival,
- have neither been commercially released nor broadcast on television in Europe outside their country of origin,
- in the case of German productions have not been shown publicly in any manner,
- have not been shown at any other European festival,
- are at least 60 minutes in length.
5 - Subtitling
Films selected for participation in the Forum should be shown in their original version with German subtitles. It is recommended that a second print with English subtitles be made available to the Festival. Subtitling costs will be paid by the producer. In special cases, the Forum may provide financial support for the costs of German subtitling and of one print.
6 - Awards
The Forum is a non-competitive section of the Festival and does not offer any awards of its own. Every film selected for screening will receive a Certificate of Participation. Awards of independent organisations are listed in the General Regulations
.
.7 - Official Logo and Promotion
Production and distribution companies of films selected are requested to use, nationally as well as internationally, on their publicity and promotional material, the official Festival logo. This is equally valid for the release of the films on video and DVD. The logo will be made available by the Festival.
8 - Shipping
Films, video tapes and DVD’s for the Forum should be sent to the address of the Berlin International Film Festival or directly to the address of the Forum:
Forum
Potsdamer Straße 2
10785 Berlin
Germany
phone +49 · 30 · 269 55 · 200
fax +49 · 30 · 269 55 · 222
website: 
www.arsenal-berlin.de/forum
www.arsenal-berlin.de/forumFor all further questions, the General Regulations of the Berlin International Film Festival will be applied.
of the Berlin International Film Festival will be applied. Deadline for the receipt of entry forms and films
October 31, 2008
Download the Forum Regulations Form 2009, PDF (54 KB)
