UNICA's Honorary President Josef Walterscheidt passed away. He chaired the UNICA General Assembly for the last time  in 1994 at Hradec Kralové (Czech Republic)

On Monday, November 24, 2002 Mr. Josef Walterscheidt died after a serious illness. Mr. Walterscheidt had been President of UNICA from 1972 till 1994.  He was elected Honorary President on the occasion of his resignation as UNICA's President, as a tribute to his everlasting enthusiastic leadership of this international organisation and the worldwide promotion of non-commercial filmmaking.

The funeral took place on Monday, December 1, at 13:30 o'clock at the Neuen Friedhof in Köln-Rodenkirchen, Suerther Strasse. Many UNICA officials and friends were present.