Welcoming speech
President of the government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, Head of the Presidential Department Elisabeth Ackermann
It still takes courage not to go with the flow. And swimming against the current means: to be different and to show it. And this is exactly what Luststreifen Film Festival does. It shows what conventional cinema rarely shows and what still cannot be taken for granted: the diversity of society. The underrepresentation of LGBTs in films is a reality. Netflix and co are attaching more and more importance to the portrayal of diversity in all its facets in their productions. But transpeople, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and others are not yet a self-evident topic in the film industry. But because films in particular often raise questions about one's own identity, a festival like Luststreifen is important.
The festival offers a platform for all the films that emphasize the rough edges of an underrepresented group instead of sanding them down. Here, they are shown loudly and provocatively, instead of censored and diluted.
Luststreifen creates visibility for alternative forms of life. Unusual perspectives and extraordinary role models inspire and encourage us to be different.
For 11 years Luststreifen Basel has worked hard to give a platform to diversity and to provide insight into fates that move us all. Diversity is an indispensable element of art, and rarely has a scene been as diverse as the LGBT community. The Luststreifen film festival is an enormous gain for the Swiss film scene. It’s eye-opening and mind-opening, it promotes understanding and leaves room for self-reflection.
Member of the National Council Sibel Arslan
Making films, art and culture accessible in a creative, independent and courageous way, while promoting diversity and broad-mindedness in our region - that's what Luststreifen stands for. In addition to films and performances, the festival offers space for dialogues, discussions and debates in which prejudices, the problems of stigmatisation and the recognition of the diversity of identities are negotiated. In times in which our society is divided and in which hate-crimes, acceptance and equal rights for all are daily topics again and again, the display of diversity becomes important both socially and socio-politically. In the Federal Assembly, the difficulties to which LGBTIQ people are exposed are increasingly becoming an issue. So far, unfortunately, with few concrete results. Other European countries have recognised the reality of homophobia and transphobia in their legal texts and are adapting their legislation accordingly. At least the Legal Commission of the National Council, of which I am a member, is now starting to make such adjustments in Switzerland. Even if progress is slow, each step is important for same-sex lovers, transpeople and for society as a whole. That's why institutions like the Luftstreifen Film Festival are so important. Therefore, special thanks go to the organisers of the festival for their invaluable work. I wish all everyone a wonderful festival, with inspiring inputs and lots of fun.
Editorial
Dear friends
The 11th edition of the Luststreifen Film Festival Basel is all about change. Having grown out of a workgroup of the habs queer basel, the festival after 10 years now stands on its own two feet and positions itself independently as a club. This process needs optimism, courage, strength and, of course, visions with which the festival can grow and develop. Our new team has done a great job this year and put a lot of energy into this process and now it is time to present the results of this great project to our guests: This year you will be able to enjoy 42 fascinating, touching, extraordinary, humorous and innovative films, most of which will be shown in Switzerland for the first time. On top of that we offer a broad and varied framework programme to accompany the films. Exciting and stimulating discussions with over 30 national and international filmmakers and other guests are also something to look forward to. There will be readings, workshops, concerts, exhibitions, a professional meeting and of course the award ceremony at the end. This year's "Lust Awards" will be presented by our jury in recognition of outstanding achievements in filmmaking. Our festival centre with café and bar service is located in the Alte Café Bar of the Aktienmühle and is a place to linger and exchange ideas, to leaf through books and magazines and to listen to podcasts.
Would you like to join Luststreifen Film Festival as a member? We would very much appreciate your solidarity!
Diversity, art and politics paired with much joy and passion for life: This is Luststreifen 2018.
Sincerely, your Luststreifen Festival Team
