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TO MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF UNICA

Portrait of Max Hansli.Dear UNICA film friends.

The autumn UNICA Committee meeting took place from 6th to 9th November 2003 in Switzerland. Unfortunately, Franz Rienesl, due to poor health, could not take part in it. I want to take this opportunity of wishing him a full and rapid recovery.

The agenda of this meeting was particularly rich in items for discussion. As in previous years, I want to share the results of this meeting with member federations, and ask them to submit details to the editors of their national magazines for publication. Thank you very much.

Unpaid membership fees: Unfortunately this is a recurring topic for our discussions, but only two federations have failed to pay and we hope that this situation will be cleared up soon.

Review of the UNICA 2003 Congress in Warsaw: Good quality of picture and sound. Successful initiative with young people who worked in groups on video/film issues and managed to overcome the language barrier. Translation was a great success, being provided by professional interpreters whom Jean-Claude Lejosne had "recruited", and using portable equipment that Fred Graber had brought along which had a single channel for one language (French). They did an excellent job and the experiment will be continued next year. As for the administration of Congress, everything necessary to ensure satisfaction for the participants was done. In short, we can say that, yet again, the UNICA congress in Poland was really worth while. And, as usual, the cultural events were highlights which we will remember for a long time.

Thomas Kräuchi established the projection times which are computed anew every year. Only two federations were overtime, but these problems were corrected before screening. Nonetheless the time issue could become a serious problem in future for organisers of a UNICA Congress. The experience of recent years is that, on an average, it takes 1400 to 1600 minutes to present all the films entered. It is a problem that, unfortunately, each organiser of a UNICA Congress must face and solve. Another major problem is the labels on DV cassettes. We cannot accept hand-written labels, or those in pencil. The projection team, and the film librarian face major difficulties with those. This is why it is highly recommended, for the next UNICA Competition, that all labels should be typewritten or at least written in ink using capital letters. This applies, not only to the title, but to all the information provided on the tape and on the registration form. Please ensure this is done.

More and more often we have to transfer NTSC into PAL format and we are currently trying to find ways to solve this problem. The new system should be operating by 2006 when the UNICA Congress is held in South Korea. The Committee will discuss this question with the Korean organising Committee during a meeting in April 2004 in South Korea. We are sure that a solution will be found. I will keep you informed when we return from South Korea.

Two more items caused long discussions:

The Committee made the following decisions:

The experiment has shown that many national federations do not circulate these 80-minute tapes among their clubs, so we must look for a solution. The cost of these tapes and the time spent by the film librarian to make them are very high. They should certainly be circulated among the members of the national federations. This is why a form will be sent together with the registration form for the next UNICA Competition; in it the President of the Federation will have to sign:

If this form is not returned in due time, we will have to discontinue preparing these tapes free of charge in the future! I trust you will understand our position ...

The innovation will be that, in theory, all "gold awards" will be included on this tape. If there is room left within the 80-minute time frame, some "silver awards" or the best trailer or even some of the top minute movies might also be included. This seems to be the best way to meet the requirements expressed by national federations.

Concerning the issue of renaming UNICA: The acronym UNICA with the globe logo would remain unchanged anyway. The title UNION INTERNATIONALE DU CINEMA NON-PROFESSIONNEL is the subject of increasing criticism. The movie industry is no longer prepared to provide resources to "amateurs" or even "non-professionals". This development has become more obvious in the past few years. The Committee submits for your consideration, the following possibilities for change:

Some 20 years ago, we had to remove the word "amateur" from the acronym and it was for exactly the same reasons as today. Another matter is also the language in which this subtitle should be written so that it is fully effective at international level. Would you be so kind as to discuss the matter in your national federation and with the clubs.

PLEASE GIVE AN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION BEFORE 31st MARCH 2004

On the basis of the answers provided, the Committee will re-examine the question on the occasion of the next meeting in Korea. Thanks for your co-operation.

Mind you... whatever changes are introduced, UNICA will remain UNICA and I hope you share this belief. I would like to wish you all the best for the coming Year 2004.

Faithfully yours

Max Hänsli, UNICA President


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History in Amateur Films

Project Aimed At Establishing An Inventory Of Representative Works Of World Non-Professional Cinema

To UNICA member federations

Serge Michel & Robert KauffmanThe launching of a project aimed at setting up an inventory of representative works of world non-professional cinema has been effective since the General Meeting of UNICA on August 19, 2003 in Warsaw; thanks to the unanimous approval given by twenty eight members to the report which I submitted about the activities of IFTC (International Council of Television, Cinema and Audio-visual Communication at UNESCO).

This project is part of the action undertaken by UNESCO - in co-operation with IFTC - to draw the attention of the whole world to the value of various forms of cinematographic expression (feature films, documentary, animation). The purpose is not to set up a prize list in "the best of the best" style, but to raise awareness, stimulate curiosity and help people to explore this prominent medium of cultural diversity whose protection and promotion are among the top priorities of UNESCO. By "representative works" we mean all works that can be identified as having special significance as testimonies of a given period of time, a culture, a style, or technical progress or having special value for whatever specific reason.

The project has been included in a UNESCO programme, with a corresponding budget line. It was officially launched by the UNESCO Director-general and the president of IFTC in May 2002. As far as professional film-making is concerned, the Member States have been consulted in the course of July 2003 and IFTC initiated an inquiry among all non-governmental correspondents (historians, critics, journalists, curators, producers, festivals ...)

UNICA and all member federations are to join the project and offer the contribution of non-professional film-makers by setting up an inventory of works representative of non-professional cinema, presenting them and ensuring their conservation. Our contribution will, of course, be somewhat different from that applying to professional cinema. This project will also be an opportunity for UNICA and all member federations to enhance its own film heritage and, if necessary, to promote conservation measures.

I would like to thank you for your commitment to this effort.

Sincerely yours

- Serge Michel, UNICA Vice-president. UNICA Delegate to IFTC -


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By Train To South Korea

By Train To South Korea For The 68th UNICA Festival In 2006

Identifying potential travellers

This extraordinary journey by train across parts of two continents - Europe and Asia - as far as that remote country hosting the UNICA Congress will be, not only a unique experience, but also an unparalleled opportunity to promote and disseminate the grand idea of non-professional film-making. The purpose of this circular is to identify potential participants. All suggestions and/or ideas are welcome.

In the summer of 2006, an international group of non-professional filmmakers will leave from Vienna, Austria to head for Seoul in South Korea to take part in the World Meeting of member federations - travelling all that way by ... train - thus giving an unprecedented boost to the concepts and values promoted by UNICA.

The "Korea Train" project was launched at Unica 2003 and is now all parts of Europe will meet in Vienna's South station (Südbahnhof) and travel to Korea in a special train. Because of the difference in railway gauge, only Russian carriages can be used. Besides function coaches for common activities, the train would have sleeping cars (wagons lites) with individual compartments.

  • How far is it? - The distance is approximately 14 thousand km (one way), the route runs through areas with very diverse cultures, climate conditions and nine time zones.
  • Can we leave the train sometimes? - Some stopovers can be organised for sightseeing tours in cities selected in advance; however, such stops will make the journey longer. If you send practical suggestions for stopovers in the next few weeks to the organisers, such ideas can be examined in a democratic way, incorporated in the general programme and arrangements can be made.
  • How long will the train trip be? - It will take at least 12 days (2 days from Vienna to Moscow, 8 days in the "Trans-Siberian" to Vladivostok, 2 days to Seoul). Stopovers for cultural visits could prolong travelling time up to 2? weeks.
  • How long will the UNICA Congress last? - Festival delegates may extend their stay in Korea as they wish. Remember that, for Congresses held out of Europe, the organisers suggest one-week programmes before or after the main event and delegates can book such tourist packages.
  • Will we spend "stopover" nights on board the train? - We envisage spending a night in the train during the two-day stay in Moscow. Otherwise, all nights spent in the train will be "on the move" to shorten travelling time.
  • Is the train crossing North-Korea? - Since 2002 it is technically possible to travel across that country. The short section which was blocked for half a century has been opened again to traffic.
  • How will we finance such an ambitious project? - Choosing rail transportation is likely to have an enormous media impact because of its originality. We could capitalise on this to raise funds. For instance, allotting broadcasting rights to TV corporations, identifying companies prepared to be sponsors (and maybe provide appropriate video equipment in the train). Another possibility is round-the-clock internet broadcasting. Ideally we would build a team of video reporters collecting images on a non-stop basis that TV producers could make good use of.
  • What does the journey cost? - The more people we can win to this project, the better the chances for success and the cheaper the fare and overheads for individuals.
  • How can we use the spare time aboard? - As well as allowing rest and showing films, we might set up a small film studio offering seminars on film making; successful participants would obtain a certificate at the end of the journey.
  • What could go wrong? - Provision for first-aid and basic needs must be made. For the rest, dear readers, please contribute a list of possible mishaps and make suggestions about how to prevent them.
  • How will we travel home? - A return by train is feasible but this possibility will only be examined if you express interest in it. Please let us know as soon as possible. We could consider customising the mode of transport for the return trip, which obviously would entail extensive and accurate preparations (including the possibility of welcoming Koreans on a trip to Europe.)
  • Which institutions are already involved in the project? - Preliminary talks have shown that some institutions are interested, for instance the Austrian UNESCO-Committee. Other Austrian organisations have also been approached, including the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Military Academy, Bundesbahn (railways) and the South Korean consul. They are prepared to commit themselves if there are enough participants.
  • How many people do we need? - Our rough estimate is 200 people but this group could be 25% smaller or double that size. Some people have already expressed their willingness to take part and are involved in the preparations.
  • What about people outside the UNICA-family? - We welcome seasoned travellers from your close friends. They should be open to the standards and values that UNICA promote as a film organisation.
  • How can we contribute as individuals? - Turn to potential sponsors among your friends and close acquaintances. Tell us about interested globetrotters. At this stage, we need many responses - even if only tentative - to enlarge the circle of would-be travellers. Each show of interest adds to the chances of seeing the Project materialise.
  • Is a positive answer a commitment? - At this stage we just want a declaration of intent which is not binding but will contribute to the success of the Project and make an impression on the partners with whom we negotiate.
  • When can we commit? - After this initial phase, everyone who showed an interest will receive a registration form.

    Dear readers, please share your ideas and suggestions with us and offer what assistance you can. Give us your own positive answer which, at this stage, is not binding, and/or give us the names of potential participants. Please take time to consider this proposal reply as soon as you can.

    Many thanks and kind regards from

    Franz Schlager

    AV-Studio d. Naturwiss. Fakult.

    Hellbrunnerstr. 34

    A-5020 Salzburg

    Austria.

    Tel.: +43-662-8044-5881
    Fax: +43-662-8044-5883
    Email: Franz.Schlager@sbg.ac.at
    Website: htp://www.sbg.ac.at/ahosuv/home.htm

    Trans.: Jean-Claude Lejosne, abbreviated Dave Watterson.

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