Golden Tree International Documentary Film Festival
Message from the Honored Guest

Deputy Mayor of Frankfurt City, Dr. Renate H. Sterzel

 
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all I bring greetings from Mayor Feldmann and the magistrate of the City of Frankfurt. I would like to thank you very much to give me the opportunity – again –to speak to you on this occasion. It is an honour and a pleasure for me to participate in this great event. Last year the „golden Tree Festival“ took place in Frankfurt for the third time and I have wonderful remembrances on the documentary films I saw last year. The Golden Tree Film Festival already had become a renowned documentary Film festival with a steadily increasing number of participants. We are proud to host this successful event as it makes a significant important contribution to the cultural offer in our city. Frankfurt has a long tradition in terms of film production and the golden Tree Film festival has become an important part of it. Our city is one of the most international metropols in Germany it stands for open mindedness and diversity. These years` theme roots and inheritance of culture fits perfectly to the character of Frankfurt. 29 % of the population here has a foreign passport, 51% have even foreign roots. People from 179 nations are living peacefully together and contribute to the internationality of their city. Frankfurt has been a city of culture. Literature, music, theatre or fine arts for a long time. In addition, movie production, postproductions are very successful and have already been awarded on the national and international level. We maintain friendly relations with 17 Sister cities on four continents. Some of them are also host cities of famous documentary film festivals. We therefore would like to thank the organizers of “Golden Tree Film festival” to help us to establish Frankfurt as a new place for this kind of cultural event. In addition, Golden Tree Film festival enriches the cultural landscapes of international film festivals in Frankfurt. After Film festivals dedicated to different countries or target groups, we are very happy to have golden Tree with a completely different concept in our city.

It is not only enrichment for the cultural offer in our city. As a platform for producers and networkers, it means also a support from the economic point of View. Finally, I would like to thank the organizers again for their engagement and wish that 4th Golden Tree Festival will be even a bigger success, with new impressions and inspiring discussions. Thank you for your attention and I am eager to see what you will present us today.