Luxembourg was represented at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival on Monday by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, who bestowed the country's Order of the Oak Crown on two distinguished representatives of the audiovisual sector.

At the invitation of German Minister of State for Culture and Media, Monika Grütters, Xavier Bettel participated in an informal meeting of European culture ministers in his capacity as Prime Minister in charge of Culture, Communication and Media. Discussions centered around challenges faced by the European film industry in the digital age, the funding and distribution of European film productions as well as backup strategies and the digitisation of cinema's heritage.

During the festival, which will be held until 21 February 2016, the PM presented the medal of the 'Knight of the Order of the Oak Crown' ('Ordre de la couronne de Chêne') to Peter Dinges, the Director General of the Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA) and Roland Teichmann, the Director General of the Österreichisches Filminstitut. The accolade served to congratulate them on their merits, their commitments and activities in the development of European cinema.

The Order of the Oak Crown is an order of the Grand Duchy which was first established in the 1840s by Grand Duke William II as a means of celebrating distinguished artists who have accomplished outstanding feats.

"Both Peter Dinges and Roland Teichmann have for years invested with great dedication in their respective functions for the promotion of European cinema," commented Xavier Bettel at the ceremony. "This includes their exemplary and friendly relations with Luxembourg and their ongoing commitment to deepen cooperation with Luxembourg, which are at the origin of this distinction."

Xavier Bettel was also present at the traditional reception hosted by the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to Berlin and Film Fund Luxembourg, which acts as a platform to bring together professionals and partners in the audiovisual production sector as well as representatives of the world of culture. The PM then met Luxembourg film producers working in Berlin.

Whilst Luxembourg has not had any productions selected for the 2016 Berlinale, it has received 9 nominations and 4 awards in previous editions. However, 4 Luxembourg co-productions are represented in the European Film Market, namely 'Colonia Dignidad' by Florian Gallenberger and Iris Productions; 'The Dark Side of the Moon' by Stephan Rick, also with Iris Productions; 'Mammal' from Rebecca Daily with Calach Films and Les films fauves; and Antoine Cuypers' 'Préjudice', co-produced by Samsa Film.

 

Photo by Service des Médias (L-R: Guy Daleiden, Director of Film Fund Luxembourg; Peter Dinges, Director General of Filmförderungsanstalt; Prime Minister Xavier Bettel; Roland Teichmann, Director General of Österreichisches Filminstitut; Georges Santer, Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Berlin)