What happens
at
​UNICA?​
  • FUN:  we meet friends (and make new ones), chat, share ideas, watch films, discuss new kit, laugh about film making mishaps, watch for inspiration, ideas and techniques to use in our work.
  • CONNECT: People from many countries make connections through our shared enthusiasm for amateur filmmaking.
  • TOURISM: the even is hosted in a different country each year and blends social activities with a film competition.
  • FILMS: Each of the 28 UNICA member countries selects up to four films for their 40-minute programme, carefully choosing works that they believe will resonate with an international audience. ​Following each film, there is a two-minute intermission for the jury to make their notes.
  • CRITIQUES: At the end of each day of films, the jury discuss them in front of the audience. They speak in English and there are translations into French and German.
  • EXCURSIONS: This year we will travel to The Black Country Living Museum followed by a farewell meal in Birmingham.
Picture
Stefan (Romania)
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Inneke (Netherlands) + Marianne (Switzerland)
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Alan & Dave (Britain)
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Jackie (Britain)
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Ursula & Fred (Switzerland)
UNICA 2025 in Birmingham, UK
  • Saturday 16th: Many visitors arrive in Birmingham, find their hotels and rest after their journey. Everyone chooses and books their own accommodation. Nearby hotels range from modest like Travelodge to four-star like Hilton Garden Inn (closest to the theatre). There is a discount deal with the Novotel (5 minutes walk from the theatre.)
  • Sunday  17th: Many local visitors arrive during the day. In general it is a chance to greet old friends and make new ones. There is a walking tour of the area around the venue: Brindley Place, Gas Street Basin, the International Convention Centre and Centenary Square. Opening Ceremony in the evening.
  • 18th / 19th / 20th: are "film days" starting at 9 am. The pattern is three 40-minute national programmes, coffee break, two more national programmes, lunch break, two national programmes, tea break, two national programmes. We watch the films with the jury. Screenings stop about 6pm, when we all head off to eat wherever we choose.
  • 8pm on those days: We return to the theatre. The jury go on stage to discuss all the films shown that day.
  • P.S. A great many of the films are in English (!) and many more have subtitles in English. The few that do not cater for our language are usually easy to follow.
​The Jury
Picture of Thomas Schauer.
Thomas Schauer - jury moderator
Picture of Jürgen Richarz
Jürgen Richarz (Germany)
Picture of Jacqueline Pante
Jacqueline Pante (Italy)
Picture of Michael Gough
Michael Gough (Britain)
  • ​Thursday 21st: starts with UNICA's General Assembly (AGM). Anyone can attend but only the official delegate from each country can speak or vote. For many not involved this becomes a morning for sight-seeing, shopping or just chatting with friends over coffee.
  • The World Minute Movie Cup is in the afternoon. Each country can offer one or sometimes two films of under 60 seconds length. A pre-selection team chooses 16 of them. (The unselected ones are shown at the start, so we enjoy them all.) The 16 are chosen in random pairs to play against each other. After each pair is shown, the audience votes for which should go through to the next round. After all the rounds are completed a winner is found.
  • Awards later on this same day the jury announces the prizes. Each film is awarded a gold, silver or bronze medal;  a diploma of honour or a diploma. There may be special awards for acting, cinematography, best youth film and so on.
  • Closing Ceremony & Evening Meal end the night.
  • Friday 22nd: is an Outing, where everyone travels together to somewhere photogenic in the host country.  In 2025 that will be the Black Country Living Museum. The day ends with a meal together back in the Brindley Place area.
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Fairground at the Black Country Living Museum
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Josi (Quebec ) and Zvonimir (Croatia) chat over drinks.
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An Italian volunteer waiter dances with IAC President, Linda Gough
Costs:
  • No charge for watching any of the films!
  • Congress Card (ticket) £50 which includes badge, booklet, programme, tote bag and surprise 
  • Dinner at the Novotel after the closing ceremony - congress card holders only
  • Excursion to the Black Country Living Museum and meal in the evening £65
  • Your own choice of travel and hotel.
  • For more information and booking forms visit www.unica.movie/2025
UNICA sounds exhausting! And it can be ...
But the standard of films is very high and the good company is uplifting.
It is also a chance to visit a country or a city you may not know.
​It is all over in a few days, leaving bappy memories, masses of photos and video.