FAQ – Festival Postponement
Why is CROSSING EUROPE being postponed to 1 to 6 June, 2021?
Based on today’s standpoint, it will most likely be possible to carry out a festival that our audience will be able to experience with its usual high standard and in a similar scope in June, while still keeping in line with the necessary hygiene, security, and admission regulations.
The CROSSING EUROPE festival team has been keeping a close eye on the situation concerning the Covid-19 virus and trying to gauge the feasibility of carrying out the film festival in late April 2021. Even if the situation winds down in the beginning of spring, due to considerations concerning health and well-being, as well as a lack of security in terms of planning, it would not be responsible to carry out CROSSING EUROPE during in the originally planned time-frame.
In addition to this, the current exceptional circumstances in Austria have to be taken into account, as the extended lockdown have made the preparations for the festival even more difficult on multiple levels.
Also, with the selection of the dates in the first week of June, we aim to avoid a collision with other film events in Austria as much as possible. We also intend to utilize the proximity of the Diagonale festival, in order to create a form of synergy together with its team. Details concerning this will be announced at a later date.
Why doesn't the festival switch to an online format in April?
CROSSING EUROPE and the audiences in Linz are very tightly connected to each other, film discussions and the active interaction with filmmakers have represented a major part in the festival experience since day one of the festival, and in April this aspect cannot be guaranteed due to the restrictive nature of the rules and regulations concerning events as well as travel restrictions. We hope that in June the collective experience of the cinema we have been longing for will be possible once more – even though there will most certainly still be rules and regulations we are not as accustomed to due to the ongoing pandemic.
As in the previous year, a hand-picked selection of current European feature films and documentaries will again be available to Austrian audiences as streaming offer via KINO VOD CLUB following the festival (starting 7 June).
What is done for the safety and health of the public?
The planning for CROSSING EUROPE 2021 includes a great amount of considerations in order to be prepared for all possible eventualities, that could mean adjustments to the structure of the festival, or in regards to the size of the events. Additionally we have already begun to work on a comprehensive Covid-19 prevention plan, fitted to the current situation.
On top of this, the work in terms of further adaptations is also heavily underway: Among other things, online ticketing will be expanded, “temporal equalization” of the program (longer time slots in between the screenings), international guests and selected festival events will be live streamed, there will be on offer to stream selected festival films after the festival (similar to the VoD offer in 2020), the OK-square will be arranged to act as an “Open Air Meeting Zone”, in respect to the current rules and regulations regarding the Covid-19 virus, the use of an additional venue (CENTRAL), and possibly a stationary testing facility.
What is done for the safety and health of the festival audience?
As of February, we will regularly announce details of the film program and the accompanying events. The complete festival program will be available online at www.crossingeurope.at in mid-May 2021.
When will advance ticket sales start?
Advance ticket sales will start in mid-May 2021. Due to the challenges we are currently facing as a cultural event organizer, we would like to refer you to our newly updatetd online ticketing, which allows you to purchase tickets conveniently and contactlessly from home. Details can be found soon HERE.
Will there be workshops and school screenings as part of the YAAAS! Youth Program?
In 2021, the YAAAS! Youth Program is now in its third round, and aims to build on the success of 2019. There will also be Corona-related adjustments to this part of the festival's program, so possible scenarios are currently being developed, for example in planning the YAAAS! Workshop Rally (workshops will take place on-site at schools - "We're coming to you!") and the school screenings (offering closed class film screenings). In addition, live streams will be offered at selected discussion events. The internationalization planned for 2021 of the YAAAS! Youth Program (inviting young people from other European countries to participate in the YAAAS! Video Project) had to be postponed to 2022 for known reasons. Regular updates can be found HERE.
What happens with already purchased Festival Passes and CrossingMovie Cards from 2020?
Those who had purchased festival passes for the 2020 edition can exchange them for vouchers for the 18th edition of CROSSING EUROPE 2021, have them refunded or waive a refund and thus make a donation to support CROSSING EUROPE. You can register for the respective variant by clicking HERE. CrossingMovie cards are valid for the 2021 festival year. Details HERE.
Who can I contact?
For general questions regarding the postponement of CROSSING EUROPE Film Festival Linz, please contact info@crossingeurope.at. For staff issues please contact our production team at produktion@crossingeurope.at, inquiries regarding the festival program and film selection please contact programm@crossingeurope.at, press-related inquiries please address press@crossingeurope.at.
Stay safe! We look forward to seeing you again at CROSSING EUROPE 2021 // 1 to 6 June!
27 January 2021
