Cinema Without Borders Foundation (CWBF) is pleased to announce that OFF – Odense International Film Festival, Denmark’s oldest and most prestigious international short film festival, will join the growing family of film festivals presenting the Bridging the Borders Award (BTBA).
The new collaboration marks another important step in the international expansion of the award, which recognizes filmmakers whose works help overcome cultural, racial, religious, political, and geographical barriers, bringing people closer together through the universal language of cinema.
About OFF – Odense International Film Festival
Founded in 1975 in Odense, Denmark, OFF began as a festival dedicated to animated fairy-tale films inspired by the world of the celebrated Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Over the following decades, it evolved into one of Europe’s prominent international short film festivals, recognized for its adventurous programming, artistic independence, and commitment to discovering new cinematic voices.
Today, OFF is Denmark’s oldest film festival and the country’s only short film festival qualifying films for the Academy Awards, BAFTA, European Film Awards, and Danish Robert Awards. The festival presents an outstanding selection of international and Danish short films, including fiction, animation, and documentaries, while offering filmmakers opportunities to connect with international industry professionals and audiences.
Each year, OFF transforms the historic city of Odense into a vibrant meeting place for cinema lovers, with screenings, debates, workshops, concerts, and cultural events. Its strong community involvement and year-round dedication to film culture have helped establish OFF as an important platform for emerging talents and accomplished filmmakers alike.
About the Bridging the Borders Award (BTBA)
Established in 2007 by Cinema Without Borders, the Bridging the Borders Award was created to recognize and celebrate films that promote understanding, compassion, tolerance, and communication among people from different cultures and backgrounds.
The award reflects Cinema Without Borders’ belief that cinema can play a vital role in overcoming divisions and challenging prejudice. Rather than focusing exclusively on artistic achievements, BTBA honors films that combine cinematic excellence with a meaningful humanistic message.
Since its establishment, the award has become an internationally recognized distinction, presented in collaboration with film festivals across the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world.
Over the years, the Bridging the Borders Award has been associated with festivals including , LUCAS – International Festival for Young Film Lovers in Germany, the Polish Film Festival Los Angeles, the Hungarian Film Festival of Los Angeles, the Scandinavian Film Festival Los Angeles, and the Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival in the United Kingdom, Cinehill International Film Festival in Croatia and Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS among others.
Through its international jury members, Cinema Without Borders Foundation selects films that best represent the spirit of the award and celebrate the ability of filmmakers to create connections across borders.
Since 2007, the Bridging the Borders Award program has grown to encompass more than 80 festival events, with hundreds of nominated films from dozens of countries, demonstrating the international reach and continuing relevance of its mission.
A New Partnership Celebrating Cinema Without Borders
The introduction of the Bridging the Borders Award at OFF represents a particularly meaningful collaboration, bringing together two organizations that share a commitment to international cinema, artistic diversity, and cultural understanding.
Bijan Tehrani, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Cinema Without Borders, welcomed the new partnership:
“We are delighted to welcome OFF – Odense International Film Festival to our international family of Bridging the Borders Award festivals. Short films have a unique power to cross borders, challenge prejudices, and tell deeply human stories in just a few minutes. OFF’s long history of supporting adventurous filmmaking and discovering new talents makes it a wonderful home for our award. We look forward to celebrating filmmakers who remind us that, despite our differences, we all share the same human emotions, dreams, and hopes.”
With OFF joining its international network, Cinema Without Borders Foundation continues its mission of recognizing filmmakers who use cinema not only as an artistic medium but also as a bridge between people, cultures, and nations.
