Open Call for Guest Curation – Fokus, Films from Germany

Goethe-Institut Glasgow, in partnership with Film Hub Scotland, is looking for a guest curator to design the programme of the 9^th edition of Fokus Film Festival in January-February 2025.

To apply, please submit your CV and a short motivation letter of no more than 350 words by 25 August 2024 to the following email: culture-glasgow@goethe.de.

About Fokus, Films from Germany

The Fokus, Films from Germany festival showcases a varied and captivating line-up of recent German films, spanning various themes and genres, all screened in original language with English subtitles in independent cinemas across Scotland. Its aim is to present a broad picture of contemporary German cinema at its finest, ranging from art house and classic feature films to documentaries and films for young audiences. The upcoming 9^th edition will be presented in partnership with Film Hub Scotland and the participating independent cinemas, including Glasgow Film Theatre.

The festival is scheduled to run for 3-4 weeks in January–February 2025.

About the Goethe-Institut Glasgow

 The Goethe-Institut is the globally active cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany. We promote cultural exchange, education and social discourse in an international context and support the teaching and learning of the German language. The Goethe-Institut Glasgow organises and supports a broad spectrum of cultural events. It provides a platform in Scotland for collaboration and exchange with the contemporary German art scene.

Who is this opportunity for?

We seek an individual with a passion for German cinema who has experience in programming for a festival or venue.

Your Profile:

• 3 years or more of professional experience in programming for a festival or venue.
• Expertise and strong interest in German cinema past and present.
• Experience with professional event communication.
• Please note: While German language proficiency is advantageous, it is not a prerequisite for this opportunity!

What you will do:

• Curating of a shortlist film selection of up to 12 films for Fokus, Films from Germany by 15 October, ranging from art house and feature films to documentary & youth programme.
• Creating a proposal for an accompanying programme of qualified introductions and Q&As for film selection by 31 October.
• Defining suitable speakers for introductions or additional programme from Scottish and German context.
• Supporting festival communication with curatorial statement & film descriptions for festival brochure and website
• Co-developing festival communication campaign on social media with culture and communication team @ Goethe-Institut Glasgow
• Introducing the programme to audiences during opening events in January 2025.

What the Goethe-Institut Glasgow offers:

• A fee of £1,000 for curatorial support of the festival organization during 15 September 24-14 February 25.
• A longlist film selection as baseline for shortlist selection
• Support and information on film rights and licenses owned by Goethe-Institut Glasgow & licence negotiations.
• Assistance with requests for screeners by culture team at Goethe-Institut Glasgow.
• Meetings & regular check-ins with culture-department @ Goethe-Institut Glasgow as needed. Desk space at the Goethe-Institut Glasgow if needed. Please note that you must bring your own laptop.
• Administrative organisation and support with the organisation of the accompanying programme.
• Administrative organisation of the screenings with partner cinemas.
• Correspondence with partner cinemas.

The Goethe-Institut stands for the diversity of all employees. We welcome applications from all interested parties, regardless of their cultural and social origin, age, religion, gender, ideology, disability and sexual identity. In the case of equal suitability and qualifications, applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration.