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UNICA Festivals: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
The jury sat at widely spaced tables in the middle of the audience - with hundreds of people trying to look over our shoulders as we scribbled notes during the brief breaks between films. Rolf had an unusual technique: he used a simple drawing and a couple of keywords to identify each movie before adding his comments.
Movie makers do not enter the UNICA competition. Programmes of films are presented by national federations. There is an amazing range of work. Not all of it is superb by any means, but there is a very high standard throughout. My illustrations show a random selection of the movies.
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Coma - by film school student |
La Fune - by Leo Alessandro |
Omar & Sara - by Claudio & |
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The UNICA banner is unfurled at the opening and hangs at the side of the stage throughout the festival. |
The Mannikin Pis visits Blankberge to introduce national film programmes! |
Here I am on stage talking about an Austrian dance film. |
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Ann & Celeste - a study of the |
18 - a mother and daughter |
About Maria by Argentine's Ariel |
That meant that by the time the discussion had ended, the jury members often arrived late for meals. In fact there seemed to be very few chances for the jury to rest, talk about the movies and clear our heads all week. Luckily for them the other delegates were able to relax, chat over a drink, eat the excellent food and stroll around Blankenberge's shops and attractions. If you are not on the judging panel UNICA is a relaxing festival.
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Schools by the Waterside from |
There were two films entitled |
The hall's great sound system did justice to |
There were only a couple of days when screenings were the only treat offered, though those were long days starting at 9am and with discussion ending after 11pm. On other days there were excursions, receptions, meetings and other distractions. What's more on most days one of the Belgian cine club regions provided all the delegates with a goodie ranging from delicious cakes, to luscious chocolate creams and even - appropriately in the casino - boxed packs of James Bond playing cards!
I will not go through each national programme ... some of the best movies may turn up at BIAFF. All in all we watched 123 through the week. Some were poor, many pretty good and several absolutely outstanding. Seven of us did not see the one-minute movie cup evening with 30 of the "sixty second wonders" on show - if you detect a little grumpiness it is because the jury missed that evening - we were in a separate room preparing the short-list for awards. Belgium won the Minute Movie Cup which is run on audience votes as a play-off league. It was specially pleasing that Jef van Gompel's entry won that - he had done more than any other single person to make this such an amazing festival and a happy event.
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Think MTV's Jackass, add political satire |
Marco P. and the Bike Thieves |
What won the main competition? What outings and events were there? Keep reading ...
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Pictures in these pages mainly by Jan & Dave Watterson, but the good ones are by Bernhard Hausberger / Rolf Leuenberger / Jürgen Richarz / Reg Lancaster.