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The Diagonale is conceived as a forum for Austrian cinematic production as well as a place for a nuanced, multifaceted and critical exploration. The personal encounters with filmmakers and their work, and the productive encounters of various filmic forms are central to the festival, which, by means of a tailored program selection, offers the opportunity to become acquainted with Austrian film in all its diversity, to trace current artistic trends and, not least, to make some (re-)discoveries along the way. Since 1998, the Diagonale has made the city of Graz the film capital of Austria and established it as a hub of the film industry and its audience. Approximately 1,300 accredited industry professionals and 25,000 visitors, including a large number of young filmgoers, gather in the Styrian capital to enjoy the wide-ranging program features, the unique festival atmosphere, as well as the talks with attending filmmakers and special guests. The environmental sustainability initiative of the festival, known as DIAGONALE GOES GREEN, aims to offer an ecological and social contribution so that environmental awareness and cinematic pleasure go hand in hand.
Program Structure
Drawing annually on more than 500 submissions, the Diagonale presents a Competition Program with a selection of films and documentaries, as well as short films, animations, experimental works and videos. Many of these productions have their world premiere, or their first showing in Austria. In addition to this current selection, the Year’s Retrospective will show all feature-length Austrian films and documentaries that enjoyed regular cinematic releases during the last year. The Special Programs expand on this perspective, illustrate the range of Austrian film production and offer an exploration of its heritage. The highlights of the Diagonale include a Historical Program and a Spotlight Feature, which showcases the work of a particular Austrian filmmaker (up to now: Mara Mattuschka, Peter Schreiner, Peter Tscherkassky, Ferry Radax, Josef Dabernig, Michaela Grill, Manfred Neuwirth). In the spirit of transcending cultural frontiers, each year a Tribute is made to an international filmmaker who is invited to present a selection of his/her work at the festival (up to now: Stefan Krohmer & Daniel Nocke, Romuald Karmakar, Elfi Mikesch, Avi Mograbi, Dominik Graf, Agnès Godard). In addition, the festival offers a comprehensive and Mediation Program, consisting of a Film Industry Meeting, talks and debates on cultural and political topics, as well as exhibitions and workshops. And when it comes to celebrating Austrian cinema, the festival never falls short. There are plenty of occasions to enjoy, including the Opening Gala, the presentation of awards for performance and screenplays, numerous receptions and the Nightline, where stimulating festival days are celebrated late into the night. In the Award Ceremony, the festival is brought to a close with Austria’s most prestigious film distinctions, including the main prize for Best Austrian Feature and Best Austrian Documentary Film, each offering 21,000 Euros in prize money.
Festival Director Barbara Pichler: “The Diagonale program reflects current Austrian filmmaking, which is an illustration of compelling diversity and quality. Every film examines cinema and its narrative style, offering an individual look into the world. The goal of Diagonale is to create a dynamic link between films and their audience, and an open, and hopefully, continually surprising discourse.”
Press Comments
”Everyone who comes loves it – not least for the perfect balance between novelties, networking opportunities, partying and a thorough concern for film history. The Diagonale has opened up and energetically developed into an international event with yet a highly reflexive potential.“ Senses of Cinema (Melbourne)
“Diagonale is the festival of Austrian film and attracts everybody who is somebody in Austrian filmmaking to the country’s second biggest city for five days. Diagonale is particularly important to underscore and promote the potential of Austrian film. So, to make a long story short: if you ever planned on visiting one of Austria’s smaller cities, there might never be a better occasion to go to Graz than during the time it turns into the country’s buzzing filmmaking capital.” Shift Magazine (Tokyo)
“Ostensibly a public festival, Diagonale is still the primary meeting place for those who work with and mediate the art of film in Austria.” MUBI (Palo Alto)
“Diagonale with its geographically and historically extensive program and almost perfect organization is definitely an example of a national film festival worth copying, since it seems equally attractive to both domestic and foreign experts as well as to the audience.” Ekran (Ljubljana)
www.diagonale.at
