Joint presentation of the Festival and 3sat concerning the war in Iraq

[Kurzfilmtage]

In view of the terrible images of war in Iraq, the International Short Film 
Festival Oberhausen wanted to make a symbolic gesture. The Festival's 
statement to exclude representatives of some countries from the Festival 
triggered a broad discussion about how culture and cultural institutions 
can react to events like the war situation in Iraq in a responsible manner.

The International Short Film Festival Oberhausen and 3sat have therefore 
agreed, in the spirit of the traditional open character of the Oberhausen 
Festival, to not retract any invitations to the Festival and to organise a 
joint panel discussion about the war in Iraq, the relationship between 
media and war and the responsibility of cultural institutions in a war 
situation like the current one in Iraq, at the 49th International Short 
Film Festival Oberhausen.

This panel discussion will be hosted by Gert Scobel. The 3sat cultural 
magazine "Kulturzeit" will broadcast a report of the discussion.

Oberhausen and Mainz, 1 April 2003

Press contact 3sat: Stefanie Wald, Tel. +49-6131-706479, Fax 
+49-6131-706120, wald.s at 3sat.de
Press contact Festival: Sabine Niewalda, Tel. +49-208-8253073, Fax 
+49-208-8255413, niewalda at kurzfilmtage.de

Internationale Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen
Grillostr. 34 | 46045 Oberhausen | Germany
Tel +49 (0)208 825-3073 | Fax 825-5413
www.kurzfilmtage.de
International Short Film Festival Oberhausen