INTERFILM, the International Interchurch Film Organisation, was founded in 1955 by delegates of Protestant film associations in Europe, but is now highly ecumenical. According to their website, INTERFILM is, “the international network for the dialogue between church and film. It promotes the appreciation of cinema’s artistic, spiritual and social significance in the church and calls attention to the relevance of church, theology and religion for cinema. INTERFILM is looking beyond the screen. […] As film constitutes a global form of expression and communication, so INTERFILM is committed to ecumenism: a mutual understanding beyond the limits of confessions, churches and religions. INTERFILM joins church and cinema, cultures and religions.”

The organization has a strong presence at film festivals around the world, such as Berlin, Cannes, and Venice, along with other smaller ones. Through these gatherings, INTERFILM seeks to participate in festivals through ecumenical, interreligious or solely Protestant juries to award prizes to outstanding films while also supporting the distribution of the awarded films in their respective countries.

As the partnership between the RCH and INTERFILM develops, RCH delegates will be invited to participate in the Ecumenical Jury to award religious films at festivals throughout Europe. In addition, the RCH will assist in hosting INTERFILM and Jury members during their visits to festivals in Hungary.

At the 14th International Film Festival Miskolc ‒ Jameson CineFest (September 8-17, 2017), the Ecumenical Jury awards its Prize to “Aritmija” (Arrythmia), directed by Boris Khlebnikov (Russia, Finland, Germany, 2017). The film explores the relationship between a young couple in crisis and love at the same time, showing, “with humour and sensibility that it is always worth to fight for your rights and that love is always an answer.”

 

Article by Kearstin Bailey

Via inter-film.org