German Director Christian Petzold Named as Viennale President

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The Viennale Film Festival in Austria has appointed German director Christian Petzold as its latest president. This position had remained empty for four years since the passing of Eric Pleskow in 2019, who served as president since 1998.

As president of the Viennale, Petzold holds its highest position.

Petzold has maintained a strong relationship with the festival, serving as both a director and a friend, for quite some time. Several of his films made their Austrian debuts at this very event.

Eva Sangiorgi, who heads Viennale, expressed: “Viennale has had a deep bond with Christian Petzold’s filmmaking for many years, and on a personal level, I deeply resonate with his cinematic work. It’s a significant privilege that he is assuming the leadership of the festival. Given his consistent and harmonious approach to directing, I am confident that he will infuse the festival with fresh, thought-provoking ideas and viewpoints at a time when discussions about film and culture are particularly intricate.

Petzold expressed: “The Viennale is always the most captivating storyteller of a movie year. Some even claim it’s the finest-curated festival, though I shouldn’t say that myself. It’s said that Billy Wilder considered Barbara Stanwyck to be the ‘best actress,’ and when he later sent a script to Joan Crawford, it came back unopened with a message saying, ‘Send it to the best actress…’ So, I’m thrilled to be associated with the Viennale. I can’t wait for it.

I proudly pointed out some standout features of the festival’s offerings, including the insightful retrospectives on John Ford’s work, the thought-provoking essay film “Der Weg der Termiten”, and the enlightening documentary series “Los Angeles: A City on Film”.

This week, Petzold’s latest movie titled “Miroirs No. 3” had its debut at the Cannes Film Festival within Directors’ Fortnight. Notably, he was awarded the 2012 Silver Berlin Bear for Best Director for his work on “Barbara,” and in 2023, he took home the Berlin Grand Jury Prize for “Afire.” In 2020, Petzold received the FIPRESCI Prize at Berlin for the competition film “Undine,” and actress Paula Beer was honored with the Berlin Silver Bear for her exceptional performance in that movie.

Furthermore, it’s been disclosed that Sangiorgi’s tenure with the Viennale has been prolonged for a further three years. This decision was reached by the Viennale’s governing body. Starting now, Sangiorgi will hold artistic control over the festival until March 2029. It’s worth mentioning that Sangiorgi has served as the director of the Viennale since March 2018.

Sangiorgi expressed heartfelt appreciation for the show of confidence. This boosts the festival’s spirit, he said. The Viennale, a vital part of Vienna’s social and cultural tapestry, has demonstrated its resilience in attracting large audiences even during trying times. Its prestigious status as an international film event, characterized by a strong program, unwavering consistency, and focused curation, is well recognized. I am glad my vision resonated with people. In the future, we will introduce innovative projects that reflect the current era, while upholding the Viennale’s rich heritage.

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2025-05-23 08:46