Confrontations International Cartoon Expo - Berlin

Confrontations meets United Sketches.
interfilm’s short film competition Confrontations for human rights topics goes graphic this year! In an exhibition by United Sketches, curated by Kianoush Ramezani, about 50 cartoon artworks will be shown during this year’s 32nd interfilm International Short Film Festival Berlin at Babylon Cinema in Berlin-Mitte from November 14th-20th, 2016.
Already in its 16th year, the Confrontations Competition addresses human rights and precarious political and social issues. The programs are carefully curated and the selection balances themes that affect us in our everyday life such as violence against individuals, racism, prejudices, social disadvantages, (political) injustices as well as issues that shift from the personal to the bigger picture of worldwide relevance, like terrorism, poverty, genocide, violence or recent political developments.
Confrontations likes to give a face to the many often dramatic headlines that reach us from the world’s most diverse countries. We’re living in times of media overkill and information onslaught. Our problem is not gaining access to news and information, but filtering it and recognizing what’s useful and interesting to us. In addition, we also skim over headlines, subscribe to online news tickers, follow blogs and scan video clips on corresponding platforms. And while we’re seemingly steeped in information, it usually lacks insight into complex background detail.
Short film is a format that can be produced without great financial backing, in close proximity to the events that they deal with, while still remaining an art form that also reflects upon them. Cartoons on the other hand, could hardly be more immediate in their approach towards commenting on daily events and fluctuating cultural and political attitudes. Both medias are capable of drawing attention to significant issues - regardless whether these are attached or detached from private experiences and adept at putting them into a fresh perspective. The exhibition of United Sketches, works at interfilm aims to offer a unique experience for the audience, artists and filmmakers to see these pieces connected in a new and challenging way.