UNICA Has a new President

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TimStannard
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UNICA Has a new President

Post by TimStannard »

I don't think I've seen it posted here yet - apologies if it has been, but Dave Watterson was elected the new President of UNICA this weekend. He seems to think it's a double-edged sword, but I think he's more than worthy of the title and more than capable of the task at hand, having been a great ambassador for non-commercial film throughout Europe for as long as I've been a member of the IAC (admittedly only a few years) and no doubt much longer.

Many congratulations, Dave.
Tim
Proud to be an amateur film maker - I do it for the love of it
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Dave Watterson
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Re: UNICA Has a new President

Post by Dave Watterson »

Thanks, Tim.

It is a daunting job ... but I love UNICA so much that devoting three years of my life to it seems a fair return for all the pleasure I have had at UNICA festivals over the years.

The films are a big part of its charm, as is the chance for a little tourism since the event moves to a different country each year. But the main joy for me is the people. I have met so many enthusiasts from all over the world. How nice are they? Well I lost my wallet for a few hours - it turned up eventually complete with roubles, health card etc. Within the space of an hour or so over thirty people heard about it on the grapevine - no announcement was made - and offered to lend me whatever money I needed for the week.

Imagine BIAFF on a week-long scale, but without several mini-cinemas. This year UNICA was in St. Petersburg, Russia.
2016 will be Suceava in Romania
2017 will be Dortmund, Germany
2018 will probably be Blansko in the Czech Republic
2019 will probably be in Leeuwurden in the Netherlands
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John Roberts
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Re: UNICA Has a new President

Post by John Roberts »

Congratulations, Dave! :D
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Willy
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Re: UNICA Has a new President

Post by Willy »

Congratulations, Dave! It's quite an honour to be President of UNICA. I don't think there could be a better President than you. How many UNICAs have you already attended all over the world? You have always promoted UNICA in different ways. You are a busy UNICA-bee. I remember that you were a dignified embassador of IAC on numerous occasions. How many times have you been a member of judging panels at international festivals? I also know that you can speak and understand German and other languages. This is much appreciated. You have subtitled so many films. Also thanks to you IAC is still an international festival with an excellent reputation. Etc... etc... UNICA is in good hands the following years.
Willy Van der Linden
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Dave Watterson
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Re: UNICA Has a new President

Post by Dave Watterson »

At last I have been able to give some information about next year's UNICA ...

At http://www.unica-web.com you can get your first glimpse of our host town, Suceava. It is in the north of the country, far from Dracula territory!

Every UNICA Congress is different - that is a given. This one promises to be full of hearty eating, drinking and possibly dancing. The Romanians are determined to put on a show. At the heart of the week (Friday 19th - Friday 26th August 2016) is the film festival. Each member nation selects a programme of up to an hour's running time. We will see around 30 such programmes, plus the World Minute Movie Cup, enjoy excursions to the lovely Bucovina countryside with its remarkable monasteries ... and there will even be a UNICA Ball!

The purpose of UNICA is to let film makers and enthusiasts from different countries get together, make friends and learn about different traditions of film making. That is why each Congress is as much about socialising as film viewing.

Anyone can come to a UNICA Congress ... the ticket (Congress Card) costs 200 Euros, which includes opening and closing banquets, excursions (with meals) and entertainments. Romania is not an expensive country to visit. There are always lots of partners around, who are less devoted to film watching but enjoy some movies and use the rest of the time having a delightful holiday in interesting places with some excursions and entertainments thrown in.

Do think about joining us there in Autumn 2016 ... for the first time since 1950 UNICA has a British president, so let's see if we can put on a show with our delegates as well as our film programme!
Lee Prescott
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Re: UNICA Has a new President

Post by Lee Prescott »

CONGRATULATIONS:

Just having received my copy of FVM, (19/10/15)............

I’d like to Congratulate Dave Watterson on his election as President of UNICA. My wife joins me in this.
The “first Brit” to be elected to the position in sixty five years!!! WOW! they must be “waking up” in Europe at long last!

I am pleased to count Dave as a first class friend (and his wife Jan). I have known Dave personally for many years now
and he has always proved exceptionally helpful to me in various ways, particularly when I organised and ran the late
Cotswold International Film and Video Festival. I take this opportunity also to say thanks to him publicly.

Dave has promoted, given of his time and worked hard over the years for UNICA. “They” couldn’t have chosen a better
and nicer person to be President, that is an irrefutable and absolute fact.

Again Congratulations Dave – dare I say it – another reason for Scotland to stay in the “United Kingdom”!!!

Very sincerely,

LEE PRESCOTT. FACI.
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