 From 1983 to 1995 the Findling Award was given for the best film.Following the political changes in East Germany in 1989, the festival was assured of financial support from the transition authority and re-branded itself in 1990 the "International Leipzig Film Week for Documentary and Animation Film" under the directorship of Christiane Mückenberger.The early 1990s were characterized by extremely low attendances and half empty cinemas.