ifs-Begegnung Gender & Diversity

To stimulate discussion in the cultural sector and at film schools on the topic of gender and diversity, the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln and Internationales Frauen Film Fest Dortmund+Köln (IFFF) regularly show selected feature films and documentaries as well as experimental works created by women. The screenings introduce the work of the filmmakers and are followed by discussions and where possible Q&A sessions with the filmmakers.

Internationales Frauen Film Fest Dortmund+Köln is Germany’s largest forum for women in the film industry and presents outstanding films by women spanning all genres and styles. For almost 40 years the festival has played an active role in ensuring that films by female directors are seen, appreciated and celebrated. Among the highlights of the joint series were the documentary film "The Second Attack" about right-wing violence in Germany followed by a talk with director Mala Reinhardt and a roundtable discussion with Sabine Derflinger, director of the film "Die Dohnal". The programme also shows important avant-garde films, such as "Daughters of the Dust" by one of the first Afro-American feature-film directors Julie Dash, and festival films, for example "Los Silencios" by Brazilian Beatriz Seigner.

Preparation (e.g. time and resources):

The series takes place three times a year and is usually planned six weeks before the respective event. The films are chosen by Internationales Frauen Film Fest Dortmund+Köln together with staff members or sometimes also students of the ifs. In addition to obtaining the film print and rights, guests from the film team or academics will be invited to engage in conversation with the students and the audience.

The events take place at Filmforum NRW, a cinema in the centre of Cologne. Admission is free and the events are open to students as well as the broad cinema audience.

Important sources for inspiration are the festival archive of the IFFF as well as current works by female filmmakers worldwide.

The series is coordinated by Miriam Edinger and Marieke Steinhoff from ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln and Maxa Zoller from Internationales Frauen Film Fest Dortmund+Köln.