The MedienOperative is organizing the international VideoFest for the third time. Word of the success of the previous years has spread: entries from 36 countries were submitted; even more video producers and representatives from institutions of the video culture are eager to participate. Within a short time, the VideoFest has become one of the most important international video festivals.

This year's programme consists of works covering the field of video art and documentation; the intention is to point out video-specific realisations of documentaries. Thus Paul Garrin was selected to be the "Artist in Residence". His various contributions will enrich the argument on "video language".

The programme of the VideoFest dedicates entire days to crucial points: USA (Saturday, February 10): Traditionally one of the leading countries of video culture, the selected productions form once again one of the most exciting programmes as to form and content.

GDR (Sunday, February 11): Two video workshops offer insights into East German video activities barely known. Furthermore, the new approach and style of youth programmes will be presented. A panel talk will follow the screenings featuring television editors from East and West – which will also take a critical standpoint towards the morale of the media in the West.

France (Saturday, February 17): An exciting discovery this year: French productions, lyrical and sophisticated, impress by their unique combination of video with dance, painting, and theatre.

At the same time, the VideoFest offers an overview of last year’s international productions including all facets of video art, experiment, and documentation.

The jury had to cope with a huge amount of entries. The selection was an essential but sometimes enervating task as many tapes lacked the necessary conceptual strength or just played with electronic tricks. Yet not all productions which would have been worth showing could be included. The jury had to bear in mind that enough space for talks and discussions had to be ensured.

We thank all those associated with the VideoFest '90, whose dedicated work was able to compensate for the restricted budget. We especially thank the Stiftung Deutsche Klassenlotterie Berlin for its grant – which is a first step to ensure the financial future of the VideoFest.

Hartmut Horst, Micky Kwella

Artistic Direction Micky Kwella, Hartmut Horst, Reinhold Reitschuster Artist-in-Residence Paul Garrin Program Micky Kwella Business Management Reinhold Reitschuster Secretariat Silke Lütke Communications Rudolf Frieling, Hartmut Horst Installations Rudolf Frieling Office Management Clemens Koch, Cäcilia Krämer, Vera Ritter Archive Knut Gerwers Technical Support Matthias Behrens, Klaus Freudigmann Screening Clemens Koch Equipment VideoVox, SABA, Schaulandt, PIK Program Jury Knut Gerwers, Hartmut Horst, Micky Kwella

We would like to thank the following companies, individuals and institutions for their support:

Akademie der Künste, Berlin-West Amerika Haus Cinemateca del Ministeno de A.A.E.Espana Institut Francais, Berlin internationales forum des jungen Films British Council Druckhaus Schlaeger/Peine Geyer-Video JVC Professional Mitsubishi Electric Europe Pandasoft Gate Saba Schaulandt GmbH TWA— VIDEO1/5X AV-PRODUKTIONEN Mohamed Amrani, Festival St. Herblain (F) Armin Brunner, DRS Schweizer Fernsehen Heiko Daxl, Europäisches Medienkunstfestival Osnabrück Steve Gallagher, New York Foundation for the Arts Klaus Schmutzer, Leipziger Dok-Film-Woche Isabelle Seigneur, Festival Monbeliard

funded by the foundation: Deutsche Klassenlotterie Berlin