The festival enters its 40th edition under the motto "Dialogue with a legend" with an extensive retrospective of the most significant award-winning films of the past years, a symposium and a comprehensive guest list: In attendance are Richard Leacock (USA), Marceline Loridan-Ivens (France), Octavio Cortázar (Cuba), Marta Rodriguez (Colombia) and with jury members including the German directors Helke Misselwitz and Margarethe von Trotta.
A new introduction at the jubilee is the Golden Dove for lifetime work: It is awarded to Fernando Birri (Argentina) and Santiago Alvarez (Cuba). In addition, the book "Weiße Taube auf dunklem Grund" with reports from the past 39 festivals is published.
The occupation of the former film theatre Casino remains an unforgettable experience. All hope of revitalising the cinema in its original location is extinguished with the sale of the Dresdner Hof building in which it is housed. In a spontaneous move a film night is organised in the Casino. In addition to current productions, the programme also includes works that have been brought along, with the audience participating avidly.
Golden Doves
NESPATRENÉ (NICHT GESEHEN, Czech Republikc, Miroslav Janek)
37 GESCHICHTEN VOM WEGGEHEN (USA/Japan, Shelly Silver)
BLIGHT (ZERSTÖRUNG, GB, John Smith)
ROSHDESTWO (Animated Film, Russia, Michail Aldashin)
Silver Doves
BARLUSCHKE (FRG, Thomas Heise)
ZORAN (FRG, Züli Aladag)
PINK DOLL (Animated Film, ROSA PUPPE, Russia, Walentin Olschwang)
Mercedes-Benz-Stipendium
L'HÔTEL (FRG, Mark-Steffen Göwecke)
Golden Dove for lifetime work
Santiago Alvarez and Fernando Birri
MDR-Film-Prize
NESPATRENÉ (NICHT GESEHEN, Czech Republic, Miroslav Janek)