The 82nd Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica in Venice will feature three films that received our funding. With Ildikó Enyedi’s »Silent Friend«, a Hessian-supported feature film is represented in the main competition for the Golden Lion. »Cotton Queen« by Suzannah Mirghani and »It’s a Sad and Beautiful World« by Cyril Aris will also celebrate their world premieres in sidebar sections.
Competition Entry: »Silent Friend«
Ildikó Enyedi’s new film »Silent Friend« (Pandora Film) takes the Botanical Garden of the Philipps University of Marburg as its starting point for an atmospherically rich narrative about the relationship between humans and nature. A tree becomes a silent chronicler, witnessing 150 years of history – including the story of Grete, the first woman to enroll at the university in Marburg. The central Hessian city is much more than a backdrop – the botanical setting shapes the plot both thematically and visually.
The European co-production between France, Hungary and Germany stars Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Léa Seydoux and Luna Wedler. We supported the production with €550,000.
In March of this year, Marburg became the first city to receive the new film-friendly label »FILMFRIENDLY LOCATION«. With this label, we recognize cities, municipalities and filming locations that actively support productions and position themselves as especially welcoming to film crews.
»Cotton Queen« – Settimana Internazionale della Critica
Suzannah Mirghani’s feature debut »Cotton Queen« will screen in the Critics’ Week section Settimana Internazionale della Critica. The story follows 15-year-old Nafisa in a Sudanese village surrounded by cotton fields, hope for the future, and societal expectations.
The international co-production includes Strange Bird, Maneki Films, Philistine Films and ZDF/arte – with Frankfurt-based Jippie GbR as the Hessian co-producer. Our funding: €50,000 for production and €30,000 for distribution.
»It’s a Sad and Beautiful World« – Giornate degli Autori
Cyril Aris’ new film, co-produced by Reynard Films (Offenbach), will screen in the independent section Giornate degli Autori, which focuses on high-quality auteur cinema. »It’s a Sad and Beautiful World« tells a cosmic love story set under an ill-fated star amid the crises of contemporary Beirut.
The international co-production was supported with €50,000.
Our congratulations to the teams!
Festival program: www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2025