Leica Camera AG returns this year as official partner of ‘La Semaine de la Critique’ of Cannes Film Festival 2018

For the third year in succession, Leica Camera AG will be the official partner of the internationally renowned ‘La Semaine de la Critique’ – parallel section of Cannes Film Festival – and will be awarding the ‘Leica Cine Discovery Prize’ for the best newcomer in the short film category together with its affiliate CW Sonderoptic GmbH.

La Semaine de la Critique (from 9^th to 17^th May 2018) focuses on the work of young and innovative filmmakers and is considered to be one of the world’s most influential film festivals. Continuing their support for young talents, Leica Camera AG and CW Sonderoptic GmbH will again be awarding the ‘Leica Cine Discovery Prize’ in the course of the renowned film festival. The two companies will be presenting the prize with a cash value of 4,000 euros to the best newcomer in the category ‘Short Film’ on 16^th May 2018.

“For us, the promotion and support of young talents in the fields of photography and moving pictures is an extremely important matter. In view of this, we are looking forward to honouring outstanding newcomers with the ‘Leica Cine Discovery Prize’ and, in turn, providing active support for them in their future careers” explains Dr Andreas Kaufmann, majority shareholder and chairman of the supervisory board of Leica Camera AG.

Gerhard Baier, Managing Director of CW Sonderoptic GmbH, adds: “The ‘La Semaine de la Critique’ of Cannes Film Festival is the perfect platform to exchange directly with the talented young people, from all cultural backgrounds, in the film industry. Our extensive portfolio of Leica Cine lenses – the eyes of the film camera – enables filmmakers and creative visual artists to transport the iconic look of Leica photography to the medium of moving pictures.”

About Leica Camera

Leica Camera AG is an internationally operating, premium-segment manufacturer of cameras and sport optics products. The legendary reputation of the Leica brand is founded on a long tradition of excellent quality. In combination with innovative technologies, all Leica products fulfil a common objective: better pictures, wherever perception and visualization matter. Leica Camera AG has its headquarters in Wetzlar, in the state of Hesse in Germany, and a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal and operates its own worldwide network of regional organisations and Leica Retail Stores.

About CW Sonderoptic

CW Sonderoptic GmbH is an internationally active manufacturer of premium lenses for film and television production under the Leica brand. Currently, four product lines – Summilux-C, Summicron-C, Thalia and M 0.8 - are manufactured and distributed around the world. CW Sonderoptic GmbH has positioned itself in the premium segment of the respective markets with all its products and sets benchmark standards for creative imaging applications with its innovations. CW Sonderoptic GmbH is headquartered in the Hessian city of Wetzlar.