Artistic Autonomy and Polyphony: Statement by the Programme Committee

71st International Short Film Festival Oberhausen, 29 April – 4 May 2025

Statement by the programme committee and new artistic director on the future orientation of the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen

Madeleine Bernstorff and Susannah Pollheim have been at the helm of the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen as artistic respectively business director since 1 January 2025. The new directors’ explicit strategy is to involve the programme committee more closely in decision-making processes. In the face of the polarisation in the cultural sector which is affecting not only the Oberhausen Festival, the committee has formulated a joint statement on their philosophy and the future orientation of the festival.

Artistic autonomy and polyphony: Our festival philosophy

The International Short Film Festival Oberhausen defines itself as a place for presenting and discussing different artistic forms of expression in the field of short film. The Festival becomes manifest in its selection of films, in the presentation of artistic positions individually or side by side in the programmes, and in the discussions with filmmakers.

As the committee, we strive to create a space for the independence and variety of aesthetic positions in the programmes and in Oberhausen itself. Constructive debates contribute to dissolving familiar categories and revealing new perspectives on open creative forms. To us, short film represents a unique experimental potential for cinematic condensation – a playful format that is short but not reductive.

As a Festival, Oberhausen has been working in this field of tension for more than 70 years, which has often made it a catalyst and showcase of new developments, a forum for controversial discussion and, in general: a place where democratic processes can be actively experienced.

We believe that keeping this space open means protecting it from ideological interference and political instrumentalization. In this, we will not tolerate any discrimination, whether based on racist or anti-Semitic ascriptions, ethnic origin, nationality, sexual or gender identity, religion, physical or mental impairment, age, language, or social status.

We also categorically oppose any form of boycott or disturbance that aims to restrict or preclude the space for controversial and nuanced debates – be it silent or loud, anonymous or explicit, directed against individuals, institutions, groups, or states.

We insist on the open meaning of art for a critical understanding of the world.

Carsten Aschmann (committee, International Competition), Madeleine Bernstorff (Artistic Director), Hilde Hoffmann (committee, German Competition), Jonathan Guggenberger (committee, German Competition), Masayo Kajimura (committee, International Competition), Felix Mende (curator Theme programme), Simon Petri-Lukács (committee, International Competition), Katharina Schröder (Head of the International Competition), Carsten Spicher (Head of the German and NRW Competition), Michel Wagenschütz (committee, International and German Competition).

Oberhausen, 16 January 2025

Press contact: Sabine Niewalda, T +49 (0)208 825-3073, niewalda(at)kurzfilmtage.de