Consensual criteria that shape the final program selection of the section Feature Film are the political, social and cultural relevance of the topics as well as the cinematic treatment of the submitted contributions. Next to more classical forms of presentation, the Dokfest is open for the introduction of innovative formats, which show alleged boundaries of the genre, the might and the power of manipulation of images. Furthermore low or no budget productions, works by up-and-coming artists as well as new projects of well-known filmmakers at the Kassel Dokfest receive special attention during the selection process: because accompanying documentary works-in-progress continually is as important to us as offering a platform for the perspectives of bold and extraordinary projects.
A viewing committee, consisting of four people with different professional backgrounds (since 2009), is responsible for the selection of this section. Next to their interest in the political and cultural happenings of the world and their curiosity towards courageous and unconventional (life) stories, this group of four is unified in a cinematic obsession for documentary film in all its topical and aesthetic forms as well as their pleasure in passionate discussion about the best documentary films for the Kassel film festival.
Obviously, the selection is only able to show a part of the increasing abundance of documentary work every year, trying to none-the-less cover a broad spectrum of topics and forms and reaching an equally broad audience during the festival days.
Selection committee 2024: Sarah Adam, Senem Aytaç, Joachim Kurz, Sita Scherer
Cooperation: Stefanie Gaus, Anja Klauck, Cosima Lange, Afsun Moshiry, Christine Rogi, Dennis Vetter
Assistance: Paula Berger
Feature Film – 2024:
These are challenging times in which we find ourselves. The sheer abundance of events, the overabundance of information and the simultaneity of seemingly contradictory things, the increasingly tense coexistence of the pursuit of truth and the industrialization of lies (fake news) – all this confronts us with a choice every day, challenges us to take a stand in a matter of seconds and without having carefully weighed up all sides and considered every perspective in detail. Yet it is precisely the nuances, the ambiguities and happy coincidences that enrich life – our lives.
Our selection of films, which we compiled this year from around 600 films (submitted as well as those we requested), is an invitation to encounter this complexity of the world, to follow the images of the filmmakers on the one hand and to form our own picture on the other, to get to know new views of the world in the films and conversations and to engage with them – something that seems to be becoming increasingly difficult in the “world out there”.
The different perspectives, narrative forms and aesthetics of this year's selection of feature-length films reflect the multi-layered, complex and nuanced nature of the world. In addition to strictly observational “classic” documentaries, there are experiments, cross-genre hybrids bordering on fiction, light-hearted as well as personal essays, bold experimental arrangements on the edge of abstraction, excursions into history and glimpses into the future. And again and again, works full of surprises, unexpected twists and turns and new insights into the world, life and, often enough, oneself.
“Serendipity” is the term for the happiness of unexpected discoveries and the joy of having found something significant or meaningful without even looking for it. This selection we have made is an invitation to surrender to this power with relish and curiosity.