73rd International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg

07.11.2024 to 17.11.2024
Mannheim and Heidelberg

© Corey J. Isenor


The International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg (IFFMH) 2024 opened on 7 November with the psychological drama "Sharp Corner" by Jason Buxton (Canada, Ireland 2024). The core of the festival is the international competition ON THE RISE with first and second films by young directors. The section PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES is dedicated to films that expand the established forms of expression in cinema, while FILMSCAPES brings together striking cinematic works from the current year,  some of them going beyond the feature film format.

The retrospective is dedicated to the theme of body and film. A homage will be paid to Polish director Agnieszka Holland, while the Grand IFFMH Award will be presented to Scottish director Lynne Ramsay. Two masterclasses provide an opportunity to meet the two film artists.

With the Ecumenical Reception on 12 November, Mannheim's Protestant and Catholic churches will continue a long tradition of honouring the opening up of experiences beyond one's own personal horizons through the films of the festival's programmes. After greetings from Dean Ralf Hartmann (Protestant Church) and City Dean Karl Jung (Catholic Church), keynote speeches were given by Festival Director Sascha Keilholz and the Chairman of the Catholic Film Commission, Markus Leniger, while Gaëlle Courtens, President of the Ecumenical Jury, introduced the jury members.

The award ceremony will take place on Thursday 14 November in Mannheim. The film screenings for regional audiences will continue up to and including Sunday 17 November.

Link: Festival website

Awards

Bound in Heaven
Directed by:
2024

They meet in the streets of a big city: the investment banker and the street vendor. At first glance, they couldn't be more different, yet a deep bond develops between them. Together they rediscover the joy of life. The young couple declares every day a holiday, precisely because they are aware of their own fragility and finiteness.

With images of impressive beauty, the film speaks of love, respect, dignity, wishes, tenderness and care. A film that defies death, violence, illness, loneliness and social conventions, yet never drifts into the banal.

(Photo: © Such a Good Film)