About interfilm and the Festival
interfilm Berlin organises the Berlin International Short Film Festival as well as interfilm Short Film Distribution. Established in 1982, the festival has years of experience and a growing number of contacts in the international cultural and short film sectors. This has enabled interfilm to forge ongoing links with several significant institutions and hold frequent, regular events, testifying to the festival’s success at bringing the short film format to an ever wider audience.
interfilm’s goal is to search out skilled and creative filmmakers and present their work in an international, culturally political framework in order to best facilitate the exchange of imaginative ideas. interfilm offers a wide variety of short live-action films, animation and documentaries to enthusiastic audiences who value the short film format in its own right.
The International Short Film Festival
interfilm has established itself as one of the most important short film festivals in Europe. It is the second oldest German short film festival (after Oberhausen), and is recognised as the second most significant and oldest international film festival in Berlin after the Berlinale. More than 4,000 films with a maximum running time of 30 minutes are submitted each year. Of those, approximately 400 films are selected and organised into different thematic programs. These include; international, German, animation, documentary and children’s films. 'Focus On' highlights productions from specific countries or regions. Beyond that there are also special sections devoted to areas such as music videos, commercials, experimental films, historical films and retrospectives.
interfilm Berlin Short Film Distribution
The interfilm distribution portfolio comprises around 300 films. We place equal importance on the distribution of 90 minute short film programs and individual shorts shown before a feature film. Our films are hired out to cinemas, television stations, cultural institutions and internet platforms. In addition, interfilm distribution's DVD sector is constantly expanding: An ideal format for the exploitation of very short films, our DVD collections are perfect for screening in public spaces such as on subway train monitors, in waiting rooms and on mobile entertainment devices. interfilm distribution has a fantastic selection on hand.
Further Activities
interfilm initiated and co-presents an annual short film festival in the Berlin subway called "Going Underground" (the first of its kind in the world!) where films are screened on train carriage monitors. interfilm is also partners with the cutting-edge and international "Zebra Poetry Film Festival". In cooperation with Siemens, interfilm held the world’s first competition for short films shot on mobile telephones. Beyond festival activities, interfilm places great importance on holding regular events and screenings, such as the monthly "Shorts Attack" program which has grown to become an integral part of Berlin's cultural calendar.
In addition, interfilm compiles short film programs that are shown all over the world as well as programs of their own festival's highlights. Our active public profile and constant media coverage helps attract the attention of filmmakers everywhere - maintaining the exceptional quality of festival films. interfilm's contacts to filmmakers and institutions spans the globe. In 2006, for example, interfilm was present in Bosnia, Croatia, Latvia, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Belarus, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, Argentina, Mexico and the U.S..
