Jerry Barrish

Jerry Barrish

Ican’t separate my memories of HOF, from my memories of Heinz. HOF has always been one of the great European film festivals, and Heinz was one of the world’s great festival directors. The festival was his baby and he shared it with all of us. Heinz really championed the really independent filmmakers. I was fortunate to be invited four times from 1982 to 2015.

For over 20 years during the Berlinale, Heinz would make time in his schedule to have dinner or lunch with me. I cherished those meals with him. We developed a wonderful friendship and always parted with a running joke. “Next year we’ll meet in San Francisco.” I will always regret that it never came to be.

Jerry Barrish