britspotting: the irish and british film festival October 30, 2009

The britspotting Film Festival is coming to Berlin on November 13th-15th. The festival is dedicated to British and Irish films and film makers. We have tickets to give away to some lucky MINI Spacers, read on to find out how to win. Now in its 10th year, britspotting serves  as a platform for Irish and British filmakers' latest films, and as a chance to network for fresh ideas and collaborators. Discussion panels involving film-makers and viewers are held, with opinions and questions voiced to foster a dialogue-based learning environment. One of the most exciting aspects of the festival is that of the film-challenges, like the one held in 2004 in which 88 teams vied to create the best music video - all within 48 hours. The former British Ambassador, Sir Peter Torry, even made sure to have a chance to shake the hand of the competition winner. Since it is held in Berlin, britspotting has also been collaborating with various German organizations. The "School of Life" portion of the festival, shown at the Filmmusem Potsdam, is geared towards incorporating teenage concerns in the original language of the film. There are also workshops held to assist adolescents in film analysis. The Institue for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) has worked closely with britspotting using the "UK Meets Germany: A Forum for Young Leaders" as a platform for young people to hold a forum discussion. And of course, britspotting has set up a schedule of film screenings that are open to the public. From shorts to features, and from both emerging directors to well-known, this year's festival features films that range from dark to playful and are all curated to represent British and Irish film as a cultural genre. Setting the tone for this year's line-up, opening night will feature Armando Iannucci's satire of British and American politics, "In the Loop." The film, which premiered in the UK this April, is a not-so-far-fetched farce about war, diplomacy and the strains of trans-atlantic (mis)communication. An excellent cast featuring the likes of Tom Hollander and James Gandolfini makes this one a film not to miss. The film screens on November 13th, 7:30PM, Babylon Mitte, Berlin. We are giving away two tickets to the IN THE LOOP screening. In 2009, also expect to see the first feature film by Marek Losey, the thriller "The Hide," take center stage. This film, adapted from a play, revolves around two very different men who find themselves, for different reasons, isolated in a cabin on the edge of a marsh. We are giving away two tickets to "The Hide." THE HIDE screens on November, 15 - 5:00 pm - Babylon Cinema, Berlin. We are giving away two tickets to the THE HIDE screening. Closing night of the festival, britspotting will present you with Michael Winterbottom's new film GENOVA, starring Colin Firth, Catherine Keener and Hope Davis. Set in the Italian port city of Genoa (italian: Genova), Michael Winterbottom's new feature portrays the struggle of a family to overcome bereavement. GENOVA screens on November, 15 - 8:00 pm - Babylon Cinema, Berlin. We are giving away two tickets to the GENOVA screening. Enter to win a pair of tickets to these feature britspotting films by sending an email to info(at)minispace.com telling us what your favorite British or Irish film is and why. 1st, 5th, and 10th email will win. Please note, MINI Space will only provide complimentary entry to these films and not transportation to the events. (There is no legal recourse. The judges' decision is final. Prizes are non refundable and non transferable.)   RELATED LINKS: britspotting Institute of Cultural Diplomacy