Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) – At the 35th Exground Filmfest this year in Wiesbaden, Darmstadt and Frankfurt, more than 150 films are to be presented until November 20th. The festival offers the opportunity to see works away from Hollywood that wanted more than just to please, explained the Hessian State Secretary for the Arts, Ayse Asar (Greens), at the start of the film festival on Friday in Wiesbaden. The focus this year is on Portugal.
The young film scene in the country is particularly characterized by its “courage to overcome established boundaries, such as between documentary and fiction,” said the Ministry of Art. A total of works from 45 countries are shown – including Iran. There are cash and non-cash prizes totaling around 15,000 euros in six competitions.
The state is supporting the Exground Filmfest this year with 128,000 euros via HessenFilm und Medien GmbH, the ministry said.
