More than 140 guests at the event hosted by Dr. Nikolaus Hensel hosted reception on Thursday evening
Back in March, Claudia Dillmann, director of the German Film Institute and Film Museum, announced that she would be taking early retirement in the fall. Today, Thursday evening, she celebrated her official farewell to Frankfurt's city society. Dr. Nikolaus Hensel, chairman of the German Film Institute, had invited to the garden of the law firm bhp Bögner Hensel & Partner. More than 140 guests cavorted in the marquee, where many words of thanks and appreciation could be heard. First and foremost, of course, Hensel himself, who highlighted Claudia Dillmann's "excellent reputation in the professional world"and assured her: "You can be proud of your life's work, the Film Museum, as it stands today as one of the brilliants on the Museumsufer."
The chairman of the administrative board of the Deutsches Filminstitut, Frankfurt's head of culture Dr. Ina Hartwig, echoed Hensel's words: "Claudia Dillmann is the face that has decisively shaped the social status of film culture in Hesse and also far beyond. Her commitment to film culture is outstanding. She fought courageously and unflinchingly for the European film heritage as well as for third-party funds and sponsors. As a multi-talented director, she led the German Film Institute as well as the museum with a gift for words and worldliness. The success of the Film Museum is a success of its director and her Cinéphilie", said Hartwig.
Hesse's Minister of Art and Culture Boris Rhein spoke of a "loss for the cultural scene of Frankfurt and Hesse": "Claudia Dillmann worked tirelessly to anchor film in the cultural consciousness. She has a special feeling for the future of film and helped shape it with great expertise, enthusiasm for the moving image and a passion for breaking new ground. The film location Hessen has a lot to thank her for. I wish her all the best for the future," said Rhein.
Dr. Rainer Rother, Chairman of the Kinematheksverbund and Artistic Director, Deutsche Kinemathek Berlin, recalled many festival days spent together in Pordenone, Italy, and praised Dillmann's "fighter's heart and tenacity: "You have always found ways, for example with goEast, to make the importance of film visible to us in a new way."
Sandra den Hamer, board member of the Association of European Film Archives and Cinematheques ACE and director EYE Amsterdam, emphasized that Claudia Dillmann as ACE president had initiated a whole series of projects "with the aim of preserving our cinematographic past and securing it for the future: We are still envious", she joked.
Of course, a bit of wistfulness came to Claudia Dillmann herself as she said goodbye. But she leaves with a "good feeling and at a good time. The house is very well positioned with its fantastic team and exhibition planning until summer 2019. My colleague on the board, Dr. Nikolaus Hensel, and I have also worked intensively in recent months to improve the Institute's financial situation. I am pleased to be able to hand over the Film Institute and the Film Museum in an excellent condition", says Dillmann "By hosting the celebration this evening, Niko Hensel and my team have given me a very special pleasure. I thank you very much "
Claudia Dillmann's great successes include the founding of goEast Festival of Central and Eastern European Film in Wiesbaden in 2000, the establishment of the online platform filmportal.de from 2003 to 2005, her presidency of the Association of European Film Archives and Cinematheques from 2004 to 2012, the planning and construction of the new Film Museum from 2007 to 2011. The 63-year-old played a key role in the campaign for film digitisation. Last year she was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit for her successful work.
Now Claudia Dillmann is moving into early retirement. In the future, she would like to devote more time to writing again and to contribute her rich experience to cultural projects. "I am looking forward to the free time and leisure in the stage of life ahead of me", says Claudia Dillmann. "Nevertheless, it is with regret that I will leave this house after more than 20 years of service. Above all, I will miss the team: their creative power, expertise, enthusiasm and warmth. I wish the Deutsches Filminstitut a bright future and will always remain connected to the house."
