Christian Petzold
Acclaimed German director Christian Petzold has officially been appointed president of Austria’s prestigious Viennale film festival, stepping into the role once held by the late Eric Pleskow, who led the event from 1998 until his passing in 2019.
“Christian Petzold has been intimately involved with the festival for years, both as a director and a cherished friend,” Viennale organizers shared. Many of his films have premiered in Austria at the festival’s flagship venue, the Gartenbaukino. With this new position, Petzold now holds the highest title within the organization.
Reflecting on the festival’s legacy, Petzold remarked: “The John Ford Retrospective. Then the one about the essayistic film ‘Der Weg der Termiten.’ Or ‘Los Angeles: A City on Film.’ All the significant retrospectives. The Viennale represents the most beautiful chronicle of a cinematic year.” He added with humor, “Perhaps it’s the best-curated festival – but discretion advises me not to boast. It reminds me of the story where Billy Wilder called Barbara Stanwyck the ‘best actress,’ and Joan Crawford returned a script with the note, ‘Send it to the best actress…’ I am thrilled to now be part of such a formidable festival.”
Eva Sangiorgi, the festival’s artistic director, shared her excitement about the appointment. “The longstanding synergy between the Viennale and Christian Petzold’s cinematic vision is profound. Personally, his approach to filmmaking resonates deeply with me. His presidency is both an honor and an inspiration, especially in an era of increasingly complex cinematic dialogues,” she said.
In addition to Petzold’s appointment, the festival also confirmed Sangiorgi’s contract has been extended through March 2029, ensuring continued artistic leadership. Since taking the role in 2018, Sangiorgi has helped guide the Viennale through changing times with both innovation and respect for tradition.
“I am truly grateful for this vote of confidence – it brings renewed energy to the festival,” she noted. She also praised the Viennale’s deep roots in Vienna’s cultural life, pointing to growing attendance figures and the festival’s international recognition for “exemplary programming, consistency, and curatorial strength.”
Looking ahead, Sangiorgi promised that the festival will launch “new initiatives that respond to contemporary challenges – while always honoring the Viennale’s legacy.”
With Christian Petzold now at the helm, and Sangiorgi continuing her curatorial leadership, the Viennale enters a promising new era, merging its rich cinematic history with bold creative vision.
