The selection in the International Feature Film Competition presents eight current feature films from countries such as Indonesia, Spain, Mexico, France, Brazil, Palestine and Germany. They tell of motherhood and self-determination, of freedom of action and its limits, of the encouraging and transformative consequences of unexpected friendships or of the (re)discovery of the meaning of life in solidarity and collective action.

The prize for the best film is worth 15,000 euros and is shared between the director (€ 5,000) and the German distributor (€ 10,000). It will be awarded on 23 April at the Schauburg Dortmund. The jury is made up of actress, producer and co-founder of the MaLisa Foundation Maria Furtwängler, producer and actress Sara Fazilat and director and author Helke Sander.

The competition gives a platform to directors who have presented interesting debuts or already have a larger oeuvre. This year, the forty-year-old generation dominates the selection. In the league of advanced women directors, this is the next generation with films whose attitudes to current debates are impressive and which point beyond individual stories and open up perspectives – also formally.

Feature Film Competition 2023:

Angry Annie (Annie Colère)
Director: Blandine Lenoir, F 2022, 120’, Opening film of the festival

Before, Now & Then (Nana)
Director: Kamila Andini, ID 2022, 103’

Mediterranean Fever
Director: Maha Haj, PS / DE / FR / CY / QA 2022, 108’

Mother and Son (Un petit frère)
Director: Léonore Serraille, FR 2022, 117’, German premiere

Motherhood (La Maternal)
Director: Pilar Palomero, ES 2022, 123’

Music
Director: Angela Schanelec, DE / FR / GR / RS 2023, 108’

Rule 34 (Regra 34)
Director: Júlia Murat, BR/F 2022, 100’, German premiere

The Realm of God (El Reino de Dios)
Director: Claudia Saint-Luce, MX 2022, 72’

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