FilmFestival Cottbus opens with focus on Latvia and Montenegro

The 36th edition of the FilmFestival Cottbus is underway in Germany, running from November 3 to 8. This year, the festival highlights cinema from Latvia and Montenegro, featuring 147 films from 43 countries.

A significant milestone for the event is the inclusion of “A Woman Asleep,” a Turkish film that is the first fully AI-generated feature to compete in the main competition of an established international film festival. Organizers intend for this to spark debate regarding the creative possibilities and challenges of artificial intelligence in cinema.

The Montenegrin program, titled “View from the Black Mountain: Montenegro Special,” includes eight films to mark 20 years of Montenegrin independence. Notable entries include the documentary “Planina,” an Oscar candidate, and the feature film “Crna truba.” The festival also features Latvian works, including the opening film “Escape Net.”