4 films in the programme

The world's most important film festival begins in Cannes on Wednesday. Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein can hope to win a Palme d'Or: Fatih Akin is competing with his filmInto the fate in the main competition. The north is also strongly represented elsewhere. A total of four films from Hamburg are being shown at the Croisette. Further funding has now been granted to the dramaA Man of Integrity from the Hamburg-based Directors Mohammad Rasoulof.

Maria Köpf, CEO of Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein (FFHSH), says: "Four films in Cannes, one of them in competition: that's a sensational result for film in the north. We are keeping our fingers crossed for all four projects - and are secretly hoping for a Palme d'Or for Fatih Akin and his team. I'm particularly pleased that Mohammad Rasoulof's new drama is also taking part in the film festival. Rasoulof goes beyond borders for his films and regularly manages to redirect our focus on Iran. We are proud that Hamburg has now become his new centre of life."

In the programme

Fatih Akin's thrillerInto the fate celebrates its world premiere in competition in Cannes. The internationally renowned actress Diane Kruger plays Katja, a young mother who loses her husband and son in a bomb attack. The police catch two suspects: a young neo-Nazi couple. Katja wants justice - there is no alternative for her. Most of the filming took place in Hamburg. The film was realised by Akin's production company bombero international in co-production with Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany, Macassar Productions, Pathé and corazón international.

The dramaA Man of Integrity is Mohammad Rasoulof's sixth feature film. The director, who lives in Hamburg and Tehran, tells the story of goldfish farmer Reza, who lives with his wife and child in a remote Iranian village. Reza fights for his economic independence while a private company with close ties to the government and local authorities begins to take control of the region and displace the farmers and small owners. Shot independently and without Fundings, the film is now being supported by the FFHSH for its release in Cannes.

Tehran Taboothe feature film debut of the Iranian Ali Soozandeh, who lives in Germany, is on the programme in the "Semaine de la Critique" series. The film uses the stylistic devices of animated film and graphic novel to tackle a socially critical topic. It centres on three self-confident women and a young musician whose lives intersect in the schizophrenic world of the Iranian capital Tehran. Sex, corruption, drugs and prostitution go hand in hand with strict religious laws in this seething metropolis. Circumventing prohibitions becomes an everyday sport and breaking taboos becomes individual self-realisation. The film is produced by Little Dream Entertainment, based in Hamburg and Cologne.

The international productionEn Attendant Les Hirondelles by Karim Moussaoui (Niko Film) is set in today's Algeria: three stories paint a contrasting picture of a country torn between the burden of tradition and the pursuit of modernity. Moussaoui is one of the few Algerian filmmakers and thus an important voice of the country. Post production of the drama took place in Hamburg. The film will be shown in the "Un Certain Regard" section.

Segment Producer on the Move

Every year, the European Film Promotion (EFP) invites promising film talents from all over Europe to the Cannes International Film Festival with its "Segment Producer on the Move" programme. The aim of the renowned programme is to promote international productions and initiate new film projects. This year, Hamburg film producer Verena Gräfe-Höft, who has achieved international fame with her company Junafilm, in particular through FFHSH-funded productions, is taking part in the programme.Tore dances andAntboy achieved.

FFHSH on site

The German Pavilion in the Village International of the Marché du Film has been a meeting point for accredited persons in Cannes for many years. It is located directly at the Festival Palais between the sea and the Croisette and is a relaxed place for contacts, exchanges and projects. Representatives of German Films and Focus Germany will be available there as contact persons during the festival.

This year, the FFHSH will be represented by CEO Maria Köpf, funding officer Malika Rabahallah, Christiane Dopp and Alexandra Luetkens (Film Commission) as well as Claudia Hartmann (Communications & Press).