2nd Main RiverFilmFest in March 2024
To bring attention to the sometimes dramatic changes in river landscapes and to inspire enthusiasm for lively rivers, a RiverFilmFest will take place for the second time in 2024 along the Main River. Not only in one city but in multiple cinemas from Bayreuth to Marktheidenfeld. This illustrates that the Main River, spanning over 500 km, connects people and is our shared responsibility. Because water means life, and rivers like the Main, with their rich natural and cultural landscapes, are important habitats for humans, animals, and plants.
The 2nd Main RiverFilmFest in 2024, supported by the European Open Rivers Program, continues with short films and river film discussions for its second edition. We are looking forward to the opening as part of the Water Month in Bayreuth (Thursday, 14 March at 16:30) on the International Day of Free-Flowing Rivers. The closing event is scheduled for Sunday, 24 March in Marktheidenfeld. An international selection of environmental and outdoor short films will be shown.
In several cinemas, there will be moderated discussions aimed at giving a regional context to the themes depicted in the films, such as dam removal, microplastics, water retention, drought, river restoration, and climate change.
The discussion participants vary at each event: For example, in Würzburg, Stefanie Schliche (LPV Rhön-Grabfeld) will talk about dam removals on the Brenz and Streu rivers. For the opening on 14. March 2024, at 16:30 in Bayreuth, we are particularly pleased to welcome director Jan Kerckhoff, as well as Professor Christian Laforsch, Professor Stefan Peiffer, and Dr. Brigit Thies from the University of Bayreuth. Sigrun Lange (WWF) will shed light on dam removal on the Pegnitz river with local stakeholders in Bayreuth and will also participate in the River-Film-Discussion in Bamberg alongside Michael Bender (Living Rivers Foundation).
The events will take place on:
Thursday, 14 March at 16:30 at franz & gloria – Bayreuth
Friday, 15 March at 19:00 at Neuen Filmbühne – Lichtenfels
Saturday, 16 March at 18:00 at Central im Bürgerbräu – Würzburg
Sunday, 17 March at 11:00 at Odeon/Lichtspiel – Bamberg
Sunday, 17 March at 13:00 at Capitol Kino – Zeil a. Main
Wednesday, 20 March at 19:00 at Film-Photo-Ton Museum Huttenschloss – Gemünden a. Main
Sunday, 24 March in the afternoon at Movie im Luitpoldhaus – Marktheidenfeld
Let's celebrate free rivers, clean water and freshwater life!
Additional information on the films and speakers here.
ONTO MICROPLASTIC - THE HUNTERS OF THESE INVISIBLE PARTICLES (2022, 33 min.) Microplastics are in the air, in the soil, in the water. Where does it come from, and more importantly, how dangerous is it for us and our environment? What solutions are there? Directors Karsten Schwanke and Peter Prestel accompany the team from the Microplastics Collaborative Research Center with Professors Christian Laforsch and Seema Agarwal in their research. (ARTE/WDR) Exclusively shown on Thursday, 14 March at franz & gloria in Bayreuth.
BAVARIAN STREAMS ARE SUFFOCATING (2022, 29 min.) Streams and forest springs are losing water, becoming silted and sand-filled. In many places, streams are essentially suffocating because the water is becoming increasingly depleted of oxygen. A team of scientists from the universities of Bayreuth and Erlangen-Nürnberg, as well as the Technical University of Munich, is sounding the alarm. (BR) Shown at all Riverfilmfest cinemas. Director Jan Kerckhoff will join the River Film Discussion in Bayreuth on 14 March.
RIVER by Jennifer Peedom (2021, 75 min.) is a musical and cinematic experience. It takes the viewer on a journey through space and time. The film spans six continents, utilizing extraordinary contemporary cinematography, including satellite imagery, and showcases rivers on a scale and from perspectives never seen before. Exclusively shown on Sunday, 17 March at Odeon/Lichtspiel in Bamberg.
ADVENTURELAND (2023, 87 min.) Christo Foerster embarks on an equally unconventional and sustainable journey through his homeland, from the Zugspitze to Sylt, by board and on foot. After a strenuous descent from the Zugspitze, he discovers during the day how beautiful Germany is with its diverse river landscapes, while at night he sleeps in a hammock under the open sky. Exclusively shown on Sunday, 24 March at Movie im Luitpoldhaus in Marktheidenfeld.
DAM REMOVAL: MORE SPACE FOR AUSTRIA'S RIVERS (2023, 12 min.) The film by Marc Graf and Christine Sonvilla impressively illustrates from an unusual perspective what makes rivers alive and how dam removal can help our rivers become lifelines once again. (WWF Austria) Shown at all Riverfilmfest cinemas.
PEGNITZ BECOMES A "RIVER FREER" COMMUNITY (2023, 2.30 min.) Near the town of Pegnitz, at Hainbronn, the Pegnitz River must pass through an unused, dilapidated weir. This dam is an obstacle for local fish species such as grayling, brown trout, and chub. Therefore, the weir is now planned to be dismantled. However, the city does not have to bear the full cost of this measure. The nature conservation organization WWF is supporting the project with 30,000 €. (TV Upper Franconia) Shown at all Riverfilmfest cinemas.
WATER LOST AND RETURNED (Czech Republic, 2023, 35 min.) The film tells the story, with fantastic landscape shots, of the return of water landscapes in the Šumava National Park. It narrates the efforts of many people and demonstrates how crucial water is for landscapes, nature, and the diversity of life. (Ekofilm) Shown at all Riverfilmfest cinemas.
