30th Ljubljana International Film Festival – Liffe

Slovenia’s biggest international film festival comparable to some of Europe’s main film showcases features outstanding achievements in global cinematography and major festival prize-winners (Cannes, Rotterdam, Berlin, Amsterdam, Vienna, etc.).

Cankarjev dom Cinema 30th Ljubljana International Film Festival – Liffe

It comes as a matter of course, as naturally as autumn follows summer, that one of the country’s main cultural events begins each second week of November. I am not referring to its content or temporal frame or audience figures. As a festival for cinephiles – some people even take time off from work to attend it – Liffe has become embedded in our November routine. Ženja Leiler, Delo

Between 13 and 24 November 2019, the 30th Liffe will again turn Ljubljana into a cinematic capital. Screenings of over a hundred films will be accompanied by talks with festival guests and filmmakers, as well as round tables and workshops.

Why attend Liffe? Because it has the added value; i.e. personal interaction with the filmmakers in addition to all the complex film infrastructure. From Kaja Kovič’s interview with Simon Popek, Delo – Svet kapitala

Liffe annually attracts between 40,000 and 50,000 cinema-goers and film enthusiasts wishing to keep abreast of the global cinematic trends. The festival caters to all ages, from the youngest audiences to seniors, thus linking all generations. Liffe will soon register its 1,000,000th cinema-goer. Festival Director Simon Popek makes a well-chosen selection among the 700 films he sees throughout the season.

The festival caters for the broadest spectrum of audiences with eclectic tastes in quality art films – there’s something for everyone! Marjana Vovk, Vklop

How do you feel about people who take time off work to attend Liffe’s morning screenings?

I admire them. And everyone else: according to our statistics, Liffe cinema-goers see five films on average. Every year, I make lists with various categories to help people decide which films to see. These lists provide cinema-goers of all ages and tastes with guidance: from lovers of comedy to people appreciating introspective drama.

In general, Liffe caters for the broadest spectrum of audiences who come to see first-rate arthouse films with relevant content. I always advise people to see at least one third-world film. It is more or less impossible to see Asian, South American or African films in regular distribution. From Nadina Štefančič’s interview with Simon Popek, MMC RTV SLO

The Ljubljana Film Festival (a name that makes a felicitous and ambiguous acronym Liffe) represents a meeting point of the hearts and minds of several thousand lovers of good film and global cinematography. With a rich programme and large attendance figures, one can rest assured that quality will not be compromised in trying to appeal to popular taste. Sergej Hvala, Stop

Festival sections
Perspectives, the official competitive section of young filmmakers competing for the Kingfisher Award sponsored by Telekom Slovenije, d.d.
Avant-premieres, a selection of the world’s finest films purchased for Slovenian distribution
Kings and Queens, films by notable and award-winning virtuosos of contemporary cinema
World Film Panorama, front-runners in five-continent festivals
Extravaganza, so-called late-night cinema of daring artists addressing idiosyncratic or sensual topics
Kinobalon, a selection of films for audiences aged between 7 and 14; 10th anniversary; in association with the Kinodvor Cinema
Europe in Short, competitive programme of short film
Focus
Tribute
Retrospective

The Perspectives section continues to form the core and heart of the festival, dedicated to first-time directors and emerging, usually young, filmmakers from all over the world; these films compete for the festival’s main prize, the Kingfisher Award. Ana Jurc, MMC RTV SLO

Liffe is a platform for numerous previews. Maja Čehovin Korsika, STA

Festival Awards
Kingfisher, international jury award granted by the main sponsor, Telekom Slovenije, d.d., to the best film of the Perspectives section.
Dragon Audience Award to best-rated film.
FIPRESCI Prize, presented by the jury of the International Federation of Film Critics.
Best Short Film Award
Kinotrip Young Jury Award
Art Cinema Network of Slovenia Award

Festival venues
Cankarjev dom (Linhart and Kosovel Halls), Kinodvor Cinema, Kino Bežigrad Cinema, Kino Komuna Cinema, Slovenian Cinematheque, Maribox, Metropol City Cinema Celje and Anton Podbevšek Teater Novo mesto

Main festival venue
Cankarjev dom’s Foyer II

November is the perfect month for cinema-going, with Liffe catering for film lovers and featuring some eagerly awaited titles, releases that would be almost impossible to see in Slovenian cinemas. What’s more, some Ljubljana cinemas are bursting at the seams, which is all due to the festival. Stop

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