The festival program includes science-fiction films, comedies and melodramas, tinted films and sharp black and white films. We will screen films from great directors such as Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau, Victor Sjöström and Charlie Chaplin, great international silent film stars such as Asta Nielsen, and Hollywood stars Clara Bow and Douglas Fairbanks.

Masterpieces, world premieres and forgotten treasures

We will screen masterpieces such as 'Körkarlen', 'IT' and 'The Black Pirat'e, as well as new restorations of 'Der fremde Vogel' with Asta Nielsen and Chaplin’s 'Shoulder Arms'. This year we have had a keen eye to Nordic silent cinema and will show some of the best films from our neighbors, for instance the silently horrifying 'Before the Face of the Sea' from Finland and the delightful Swedish short film 'Lev livet leende'.

Archive workshop and entertaining lecture

We invite you to delve into the film history at two archive workshops on the international collaborative work of preserving and future-proofing film material. Both archive workshops are open to everyone, and free of charge.

Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and Laurel & Hardy

No silent film festival without traditions: we will – as always – show some of the most well-known and beloved classics Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and Laurel & Hardy. This is a great opportunity to introduce the younger generations to silent films – we guarantee good laughs and high entertainment value.

Musical accompaniment, Sounding Silents and a film concert

Music is an integral part of the festival, and we are happy to present Lars Fjeldmose, Ronen Thalmay and the internationally renowned silent film pianist Stephen Horne as musicians for this year’s festival.

Enjoy the festival!

---

Thomas C. Christensen and Sophie Engberg Sonne
Festival curators, Danish Film Institute