In 2016, Theo Peporté from Luxemburg, Vice President of SIGNIS Europe, followed Jos Horemans as SIGNIS festival delegate in Cannes. This year, on the occasion of a small reception at the festival booth of the Ecumenical Jury, Serge Molla from Switzerland was introduced as successor of Denyse Muller who served as INTERFILM’s festival delegate in Cannes for many years. Serge Molla is pastor in the Evangelical-Reformed Church in the Swiss Canton of Vaud and head of the department “Church and Society”. He is familiar with the festival not only as a former member of the Ecumenical Jury but also as staff member of the film magazine “Cine-Feuilles” (www.cinefeuilles.ch).
The reception took place after the services in the Catholic church “Notre Dame de Bon Voyage” and the Reformed “Temple” on Sunday, May 21st. Not only the Ecumenical Jury members but also many collaborators of the church film staff in Cannes, the “Equipe”, and numerous other guests representing the church in the city, the region, and the nation took part in the event. Hans Hodel, jury co-ordinator of INTERFILM, on behalf of the INTERFILM presidium and of SIGNIS appreciated the tremendous commitment of Jos Horemans and Denyse Muller. In 2000 she enthusiastically picked up the function as festival delegate in Cannes and was especially successful in stabilizing the financial basis of the ecumenical festival activities.
In his speech Hans Hodel reminded of the dreams which Denyse Muller had expressed at the 50th anniversary of INTERFILM adding that they are valid till today. Consequently, Denyse Muller will continue to serve INTERFILM as Vice president and President of Interfilm France, supplying both organisations with her comprehensive experience. As an appreciation of Jos Horeman’s contribution to a friendly and trustfully ecumenical collaboration with INTERFILM not only in the context of the Festival de Cannes but also as President of SIGNIS Europe 2005-2013 Hans Hodel thanked him by presenting him, on behalf of the INTERFILM Presidium, with an Award of Honor.