Kosice, November 6th 2006 - Tomorrow starts a three-day marathon of professional technical films EKTOPFILM 2006, which arrives in eastern Slovakia from the capital city. The thirty-third edition of this annual film festival has been focused, this time as well, toward students of basic and middle schools, but both the expert and casual observer are equally welcome. After a festival in Bratislava offering 121 films from 30 countries, visitors at Kosice`s Ekotopfilm will have the opportunity to watch a selection of the best - the winning clips. The festival presents each year the latest world audio-visual creations from areas related to the problems concerning permanently maintainable development. This is focused upon varied branches of industrial, management and humanitarian activities of man, offering information as to the evolution of human civilization as well as warning of the responsibilities of each individual.

From Tuesday to Thursday in the premises of the Historical town hall there shall be organized showings for basic and middle schools in the morning. The afternoons and evenings belong to the wider public. Visitors may also choose from the offer of a professionally guided program, which will not lack for various seminars and discussion with experts. One drawing point will doubtlessly be the Tuesday evening with the well-known Slovak documentary filmmaker Pavol Barabas and Czech photographer Richard Jaronek. Space will also be given to the themes of environmental and ethical education, the problem of bullying at school, and the strategy of regional development. Part of the festival will be the presentation of the grant program for schools entitled Safer in schools. At the press conference the project was set in motion by U. S Steel president David Lohr. This is a continuation of the campaign Professionals act safely, and according to Lohr its aim is to "increase the safety of pupils, students, and teachers in the Kosice and Presov regions." He added "the principle of the program is seen in the creed by which U. S. Steel is governed, and that is every accident can be avoided."

The general partner of the event is U. S. Steel Kosice, thanks to whom the festival may be enjoyed by fans in the metropolis of the east. Entrance to the festival and the accompanying events is free.

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Further information:

Lubomira Soltesova
Media Relations Manager
U. S. Steel Kosice, s.r.o.
Tel.: +421 55 673 4476
Fax: +421 55 673 0330