21/02/2025 - The festival will also offer a series of workshops and masterclasses aimed at fostering professional growth and addressing current industry challenges

The 15th edition of the Luxembourg City Film Festival (LuxFilmFest, 6-16 March) promises a blend of film screenings, masterclasses, workshops, and networking opportunities (see the news). For the second consecutive year, LuxFilmFest is presenting LUXFILMFEST FABRIC, a space dedicated to learning and exceptional encounters.

LUXFILMFEST FABRIC invites cinephiles to explore the art of filmmaking through masterclasses, workshops, and exclusive retrospectives. This year's event highlights two renowned figures of cinema: Chilean-Spanish filmmaker Alejandro Amenábar and British actor Tim Roth. Amenábar, an Oscar-winning director known for The Others and The Sea Inside [+see also:
trailer
film profile], will be celebrated with a tribute at the opening (6 March) and an in-depth Masterclass (7 March) at the Cinémathèque, followed by a retrospective of his works, including Open Your Eyes and Agora [+see also:
trailer
film profile]. Meanwhile, British icon Tim Roth, acclaimed for his diverse roles in films ranging from Pulp Fiction to The War Zone, will be honoured with a Masterclass on 12 March at the Cinémathèque. Roth will also attend the premiere of Poison [+see also:
film review
interview: Désirée Nosbusch
film profile] (11 March), directed by Luxembourgish filmmaker Désirée Nosbusch, where he stars alongside Trine Dyrholm.

Furthermore, a diverse lineup of masterclasses will offer insights into various aspects of filmmaking and artistry. On 3 March, “Music in Film: The Art of Storytelling Through Music” will explore the emotional power of music in cinema, focusing on its narrative and tension-building roles. On 7 March, artist Eva L'Hoest, along with curators Vincent Crapon and Stilbé Schroeder, will present “Visions and Traces: Digital Technologies, Memory, and Place in the Work of Eva L'Hoest”, examining how technological developments influence L'Hoest's creative process. A masterclass on animation will follow on 9 March at Ciné Utopia, titled “Slocum et Moi: L'Aventure du Marin Imaginaire”, where attendees will explore the artistic journey behind this intimate animated film. Later that day, the "Podcast Total Trax – Animation(s)" masterclass will delve into the unique challenges and influences of scoring animated films, particularly in Europe. Finally, on 12 March, the “(Feminist?) Film Analysis Workshop” invites participants to engage with feminist film theory through screenings, discussions, and collaborative exercises.

During the Industry Days, members of Europa Film Festivals and Europa International will come together to tackle significant industry challenges. A standout feature is the "3'52'' max Upcoming Titles" pitching sessions, where producers and directors will present projects at various stages of production to industry representatives, offering a glimpse into Luxembourg's film landscape. Each participant has precisely three minutes and 52 seconds – an homage to the Grand Duchy's telephone code – to pitch their project. The sessions will take place on 7 March at Kinepolis Kirchberg.

Additionally, three workshops address key industry challenges and evolving practices. On 7 March, the Crisis Management workshop will provide festival managers, distributors, and producers with practical strategies for handling crisis situations in the industry, emphasising first responses and common pitfalls to avoid. Later that day, the Intimacy Coordinators workshop will explore the growing importance of intimacy coordination in film production, from screenwriting to creating safe working environments on set. On 8 March, the Trigger Warnings workshop will delve into the complexities of addressing sensitive content in cinema, discussing the role of trigger warnings in the context of #MeToo, racism, and their broader implications for audiences and filmmakers.

Finally, the Immersive Days return on 4-5 March to explore the intersection of immersive art and technology. The event will bring together industry experts, professionals, and artists from around the world to address two major themes: the increasing integration of immersive art in cultural institutions and the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence in our daily lives. The programme will feature conferences, panels, and discussions led by pioneers in immersive art and technology.