Thanks to our wonderful ambassadors who are supporting the 9th EUROPEAN ARTHOUSE CINEMA DAY! Here are our ambassadors for the 2024 edition:
Wim Wenders (born 1945) came to international prominence as one of the pioneers of the World Cinema during the 1970’s and is considered to be one of the most important figures in contemporary German film. In addition to his many prize-winning feature films, his work as a scriptwriter, director, producer, photographer and screenwriter also encompasses an abundance of innovative documentary films, internationally presented photo exhibitions als well as numerous monographs, film books and prose collections. He lives and works in Berlin, together with his wife Donata Wenders.
Photo © Peter Lindbergh
Filmemacher - Deutschland
Sepideh Farsi is an Iranian filmmaker who has been living in exile in France since 1984, after being detained and barred from attending university for her political activism in her native country. Her films, both documentaries (Tehran without authorization, made with a cell phone) and fiction (Red Rose), explore the many faces of contemporary Iranian society, as well as Greece (Demain, je traverse) and Afghanistan (7 Voiles). Her latest film, The Siren, is her first animated feature, and opened the Panorama section at Berlinale 2023. Together with the painter Payram, she designed the poster for the 9th European Arthouse Cinema Day, and is one of its patrons.
Romanian filmmaker (1979) actor and writer, graduated from the National University of Theatrical Arts and Cinematography, being co-founder professor of the first programme of Film Acting Master Studies in Romania – at Ovidius University.
His films focus on families, exploring the universe of love between parents and children (Meda or The not so bright side of things, Mikado). His “Three kilometers to the end of the world” premiered in Cannes Official Competition 2024, winning the Queer Palm and being Romania’s official entry for the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Film. (Best Director in Jerusalem Film Festival, Best Film Heart of Sarajevo in Sarajevo Film Festival, Cineuropa Best Film, presented in London BFI, Chicago IFF)
Well established actor (30 films), he worked with most of the directors of the Romanian New Wave – Cristian Mungiu, Constantin Popescu, Calin Peter Netzer, Adrian Sitaru, Bogdan George Apetri.
Filmemacher - Rumänien
Renate Reinsve is a Norwegian actress most known for her collaboration with Filmmaker Joachim Trier, in Oslo, August 31st (2011) and The Worst Person in the World (2021), which earned her the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress, with their third project currently shooting. After a break from the big screen, she is back this year with three high-profile films showcasing not only her variety and talent as an actress, but her commitment to the diversity of European and Arthouse cinema: the American A Different Man which premiered at Berlinale 2024, Another End, a European co-production and Armand, a Norwegian-speaking film that won the Camera d’Or in Cannes 2024.
Levan Akin (born 1979) gained international recognition with his groundbreaking film And Then We Danced (2019), a powerful exploration of queer identity set against the backdrop of conservative Georgian society. His sensitive portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes, cultural conflict, and the pursuit of self-expression has made him a significant figure in contemporary queer cinema. Akin’s latest film, Crossing (2023), continues his exploration of marginalized voices, delving into the lives of queer individuals navigating complex social and personal landscapes.
(c) Sulejmen Peljto
The European Arthouse Cinema Day is supported by prominent figures of the political and cultural affairs. This year, the project enjoy the support of the following figures
Vice-President of the European Parliament, in charge of LUX – The European Audience Film Award
Sabine Verheyen is a German politician and First Vice-President of the European Parliament for the European People's Party (EPP). In her capacity as Vice-President, she is, among other things, responsible for the LUX European Audience Film Award as well as the European Parliament's communication with the public. She has been an active MEP since 2009, with a particular focus on cultural and media policy. Verheyen has chaired the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) between 2014-2019, where she has been a key advocate for promoting cultural diversity, supporting the creative industries, and enhancing access to education and digital skills across Europe
Photo credit : © EPPGroup
French Minister for Culture
Photo : Laurent Vu / SIPA
Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media
Photo : J. Konrad Schmidt
