Dresden (dpa/sn) – 2022 was a record year for the Dresden Film Nights on the banks of the Elbe. A total of 273,536 visitors to the cinema and concert open air are “an absolute record,” said managing director Matthias Pfitzner according to the announcement on Monday. The 15 concerts alone attracted 182,659 people to the festival in front of the baroque old town backdrop, and 90,877 saw films, also as premieres or previews. This topped the previous peak value of 238,680 from the pre-Corona year 2019.

“The result is amazing,” said co-managing director Johannes Vittinghoff. He attributed the success to the weather and the “great range of movies”. The hits included the French comedy “Monsieur Claude and his big party”, the preview of the “Guglhupfgeschwader” and the premiere of the “Kangaroo Conspiracy” as well as “Paw Patrol: The Movie” and the preview of “Bibi

The Dresden Film Nights on the banks of the Elbe are a magnet for visitors, also because of the annual Kaisermania with pop singer Roland Kaiser. In 2020 and 2021, the festival saw a sharp drop to around 67,500 and around 65,000 guests due to the corona restrictions.

For the 2023 edition (June 23 to August 28), the makers are optimistic given the current balance – and announced the first concert highlights with Cro and Silbermond.