Upfront! Young European Video Award is a cooperation between the Young Filmwerkstatt Düsseldorf and the EUROPE DIRECT Düsseldorf. Both institutions are located in Düsseldorf and represent two different perspectives that merge in upfront!: Art and information.
The EUROPE DIRECT Düsseldorf is a network supported by the EU Commission providing information on topics related to the EU. It tries to make Europe more tangible for people. The EUROPE DIRECT Düsseldorf has its offices in the City Hall of Düsseldorf.
The Filmwerkstatt Düsseldorf is an artist-run production and presentation space for video and film art with its art-house theatre. It is located in the backyard of a former workshop building in the art-district Düsseldorf-Flingern. The Young Filmwerkstatt, a part of Filmwerkstatt Düsseldorf, is the organizer of the competition and sees itself as an interface for video and art for young adults aged 16 and over.
Further information about the organizers can be found at
filmwerkstatt-duesseldorf.de/junge-filmwerkstatt
duesseldorf.de/internationales/europedirect.html
The team behind Upfront!
Nils Kemmerling, Head of Young Filmwerkstatt and freelance video artist.
Roman Hansen, Student of social sciences and co-founder of the video competition 24h to take.
Annette Kranz, Senior Project Manager, Department for International and European Cooperation, City of Düsseldorf & Manager of EUROPE DIRECT Düsseldorf.
Sonja Weyers, Senior Project Manager, Department for International and European Cooperation, City of Düsseldorf & Social Media Manager of EUROPE DIRECT Düsseldorf.
Why upfront!
In the past years the political and social situation in Europe and the world have been exceptional. The coronavirus and natural disasters have shown us our limits. Facing crises´ like these force us to confront difficult and unpleasant issues and communicate how we feel about them. With upfront we wanted to create a platform for your feelings and your voices about topics in the EU that move you and allow you to get in touch with other young Europeans.
Staying connected throughout times like these and across countries and borders is something that we can achieve through art – video is an important medium for that. Upfront! is the first video competition focusing on art and documentary films for young adults on the central theme of Europe. Young people from Europe are the ones who can create new outlooks and raise their voices.