These words come from Scottish artist and filmmaker Margaret Tait (1918–1999), who would have turned 100 on November 11th. With 11 short films on 11.11 and her only feature on 17.11, we are honoring her uniquely poetic work. The unique thing about Tait’s films is their interest in the unspectacular: “Her images are accessible (a thistle is inevitably a thistle), they are of the everyday and, on this level, a representation of things as they are.

The program Spring Portraits groups together filmmakers who at times deal loosely with the theme of portraits - either of people, places, atmospheres, and who mostly also have, in some way, a connection to the city of Berlin. Some are long established names, others are making their first film - what is important is that they share some sensibility - and a belief in films power as a medium to transcend mere representation whilst simultaneously capturing something of life's fleeting moments.

*all films will be shown on film

The 2018 edition of Courtisane Festival (March 28th-April 1st Ghent. Belgium) will fature two prominent figures such as documentary filmmakers Wang Bing and Annik Leroy as its artists in focus. As in previous editions, Leroy's programme will present her work in play with work by other filmmakers (Barbara Loden & Artavazd Pelechian).