| Following last year's successful German Films Previews in Potsdam, German Films invited film buyers to return to the Brandenburg state capital at the beginning of July. International film buyers from around the globe travelled to Germany on Wednesday, 3 July 2024 for the annual event, which celebrated its 24th edition in 2024. The buyers from Australia probably had the furthest journey, but guests from Argentina, Mexico, the USA, Taiwan, Israel and Lebanon also came from afar. In addition, there were numerous buyers from Europe, from Spain to Poland and Estonia, and from Turkey through Greece all the way to the UK. Apart from the feature film program consisting of fiction films, animated films and documentaries, the German Films Previews also include the "Upcoming Films from Germany" and "Producers Present" sections. "Upcoming Films from Germany" is presented by the sales companies to cast a spotlight on their German films still in production. "Producers Present" is offers German producers a chance to showcase current projects that are still works-in-progress and don’t yet have a sales company. The 24th edition of the Previews saw a total of 72 buyers watching films in the UCI luxe Potsdam cinemas over the three days. The program was diverse with films from different categories and genres and wide-ranging topics. A total of 14 films were shown in their entirety, ranging from dramas through to children's films. The “Upcoming” section had a total of nine new projects being presented by representatives of the sales companies. A total of 16 sales companies unveiled their new projects at this year’s German Films Previews. | |
| The 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival took place in the Czech spa town from 28 June to 6 July this year. A total of 21 German productions and co-productionshave been screened at this, the most renowned international film festival in Central and Eastern Europe, including XOFTEX by Noaz Deshe - a drama shot with real-life asylum seekers and inspired by genuine stories in the Crystal Globe competition section. Another German production, screened in the Proxima Competition section, was the drama THE ALIENATED by Anja Kreis. A STUDY IN EMPATHY by Hilke Rönnfeldt - already known, having been selected for many festivals - was screened in Karlovy Vary in the EFP program Future Frames: Generation Next Of European Cinema. German actor Daniel Brühl was honored with the President's Award at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival and also presented his directorial debut NEXT DOOR. In addition to the successful screenings and the award ceremony, German Films and European Film Promotion organized an annual reception with drinks and discussions in Karlovy Vary, giving many filmmakers the opportunity to exchange ideas. | |
| The International Film Festival mBank New Horizons was founded in 2001 to present independent artistic cinema, which was somewhat underrepresented in Poland at the time. The 24th edition took place in Wroclaw from July 18 to 28, 2024, together with the 13th edition of Polish Days, the Industry Platform . Each year, the festival hosts dozens of film directors from all over the world – from debutants to undisputed film masters. As part of the Polish Days, there was a networking meeting under the motto "Polish-German Co-production / Meet and Greet". The event was organized by ConnectingCottbus, the Cottbus Film Festival and MBB Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg, co-hosted by German Films. The meeting served as a networking opportunity for Polish and German producers to exchange ideas and plan co-productions between the two countries. A total of 10 projects were pitched at this year's Polish Days, in addition to 8 work-in-progress projects and 4 brand new Polish films presented in closed screenings. | |
| In its 23rd year, Transylvania International Film Festival (TIFF) saw 125,000 locals, tourists, and guests participating in the festival events. The TIFF and the associated Industry Platform took place this year in Cluj from 14 to 26 June. Alongside Sarajevo, TIFF in Cluj is one of the most important festivals in the Balkan region for filmmakers to network. On the one hand, the filmmakers can present their projects to a young and experienced audience, on the other hand, the participants and visitors themselves can watch a selected program of outstanding films. After the Transsilavina Pit Stop, where 10 new projects were presented, German Films hosted an industry lunch with around 130 guests to give filmmakers and producers the opportunity to exchange ideas and make contacts. German Films screened at TIFF: ETERNAL YOU by Hans Block, Moritz Riesewieck - What's Up Doc? Program
DYING by Matthias Glasner - Supernova Program
CUCKOO by Tilman Singer - Full Moon Program
THE CHAOS SISTERS FEAT. PENGUIN PAUL by Mike Marzuk - MiniTIFF Program
PERFECT DAYS by Wim Wenders - Special Screening
METROPOLIS by Fritz Lang in Cine-Concert | |
| Together with PALACE Cinema German Films is organizing the annual Festival of German Films in Australia. The festival took place in 7 Australian Cities from May 7 to June 10, 2024. The German Film Festival welcomed HSBC as Naming Rights Partner for the first time this year. This year's festival also welcomed German director Andreas Dresen, who opened the film festival with his FROM HILDE WITH LOVE. Dresen then toured Australia for more film nights for opening nights, presenting his drama and discussing it at Q&As. Each time, the audience was enthusiastic and praised the film and the filmmaker. This was also demonstrated by the fact that FROM HILDE WITH LOVE was the highest-attended opening night film in the festival's history.
The programme also included the latest and best of German-language cinema, including several Australian premieres direct from the Berlin International Film Festival, a section Kino for Kids and a retrospective of director Werner Herzog, which was also very popular.
In addition, the contribution of German film was celebrated with a special showcase to mark the 70th anniversary.
With its diverse programme and guest appearances, the HSBC German Film Festival welcomed 29,000 visitors nationwide. A total of 27 feature films were shown in 21 cinemas. | |
| The circumstances are certainly not simple and extraordinary. War has been raging in Ukraine since Russia started a full scale invasion in 2022. And yet the film industry and film enthusiasts there are still determined to organize a film festival. The 15th edition of the Odesa International Film Festival took place in Kiev from 12 to 20 July. Due to the war and the constant missile attacks on Odesa, it had to take place in Kiev. German Films supported the festival and Managing Director Simone Baumann was there to be part of the industry jury as well as to participate in the festival. The Odesa International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film events in Ukraine and is internationally recognized. Despite the circumstances, the number of visitors and the Ukrainian audience were numerous at many screenings. The German director Benjamin Pfohl presented his film JUPITER in the European Competition section. In addition to a selection of international films, the audience was also able to watch a lot of impressive Ukrainian productions. | |
| In 2024, the German Film Festival in Mexico City will mark a historic milestone, transforming from a week-long event to a full-fledged festival. Presented by the Goethe-Institut Mexiko, this evolution is a testament to the festival's growth and dedication to showcasing the best of German cinema. Over two decades, the event has expanded from a modest 5-film program to a 30-film extravaganza, featuring German guest talent, dialogues, and activities across 11 days and six venues, attracting a record 15,000 spectators. This year the festival is also pleased to present a close collaboration with German Films on several activities to be announced soon. The theme for the 23rd edition is METAMORPHOSIS, symbolizing the transformation into a festival while honoring the centenary of Franz Kafka's passing. From September 24 to October 6, 2024, the festival will present a rich and diverse program that will not only delight the loyal audience but also introduce new viewers to the fascinating world of German cinema. The festival will be also supported by the Patronato de la Industria Alemana para la Cultura PIAC, the Merck Group, and the German Embassy in Mexico, who have made this evolution possible. | |
| The Student Academy Awards® is an international student film competition. Each year, college and university film students from all over the world compete for awards and cash grants, with films being judged in the following categories: Animation, Documentary, Live Action Narrative and Alternative/Experimental. This year, 3 German productions are among the semifinalists: THE THOUGHTS OFOUR ANCESTORS by Kokutekeleza Musebeni was nominated in the category Documentary, produced at University of Television and Film Munich. In the category Narrative, there are two German productions among the nominations: CRUST by Jens Kevin Georg, produced at Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf and ECHOES OF JUNO by Reza Sam Mosadeg, produced at Hamburg Media School. | |
| FRG 1982
FITZCARRALDO
(OT: FITZCARRALDO) FITZCARRALDO is a "quest film in which the hero’s quest is scarcely madder than the filmmaker’s," wrote Roger Ebert in his 1982 review, in which he placed Herzog’s film in the same league as Kubrick and Coppola. And indeed, the extent of the effort, the hardship and the megalomaniacal thirst for adventure that Werner Herzog and his team endured were very similar to the aspirations of his title character. The vision of the main character became the vision of the filmmaker and thus led to the realization of one of the most powerful and overwhelming German films of all time. It tells the story of the adventurer Fitzcarraldo, who has a river steamer towed over a forested mountain ridge to realize his dream of building an opera in the middle of the Peruvian jungle. FITZCARRALDO draws its power from Thomas Mauch’s fantastic images as well as from the contrasts the film tells of and becomes characterized by: ship and forest, Enrico Caruso and Popol Vuh, Western colonial powers and indigenous peoples, exploitation and participation. The film criticizes the total perversion of colonialism at the turn of the century and yet also seems itself to fall for it in parts. The extent to which Herzog drove his team, including the participating indigenous Asháninka and other ethnic groups, into danger and across borders is still criticized today, but also serves the lively cinematographic myth that FITZCARRALDO so unshakably represents: the miracle of moving mountains. And in the middle of it all is Klaus Kinski, who embodies Fitzcarraldo’s obsession with an intermittent gentleness and mildness that seems so at odds with the legends fueled by Herzog’s documentary MY BEST FRIEND in particular. The universal cinematic elemental force of FITZCARRALDO, which still has an impact today, led to the Best Director Award in Cannes and nominations for BAFTA and Golden Globe, among others. (Oliver Baumgarten) Director: Werner Herzog Screenplay: Werner Herzog DoP: Thomas Mauch Editor: Beate Mainka-Jellinghaus Composer: Popol Vuh Production: Werner Herzog, Lucki Stipetić for Werner Herzog Filmproduktion, Project Filmproduktion im Filmverlag der Autoren, ZDF Runtime: 157 Min. Premiere: March 5, 1982 Cast: Klaus Kinski, Claudia Cardinale, José Lewgoy, Miguel Angel Fuentes, Peter Berling et al. Rights: Werner Herzog Film (distributed in Germany by Studiocanal) | |
| The focus of the next session for the English-language KINO! FILM SALON online film club on August 18th will be Sandra Nettelbeck’s culinary romantic comedy MOSTLY MARTHA. Our curator Jim Kolmar selected this movie: "In her international breakthrough performance, Martina Gedeck shines in the title role of Sandra Nettelbeck’s MOSTLY MARTHA. The premise is straightforward enough: Martha, the fiercely independent head chef of an acclaimed restaurant finds herself the reluctant guardian of her eight-year-old niece, following a family tragedy. Things are further complicated by the arrival of Mario, an assertively charming Italian chef who forces Martha to confront and understand what really matters in a life she finds in sudden disarray. Beautifully played and written, MOSTLY MARTHA’S great strength is its ability to deliver a menu of emotional complexity and nuance that carries all the hallmarks and appeal of a classic romantic comedy. It’s a treat for foodies and old school movie lovers alike, transcending familiar genre parameters to deliver a richly rewarding, heartwarming and satisfying cinematic delight." RSVP: https://bit.ly/kinofilmsalonmostlymartha Date and time: Sunday, August 18th at 11:00am – 12:00pm PT, 2:00pm – 3:00pm ET, 8:00pm – 9:00pm CET.
Hosted by Jim Kolmar KINO! FILM SALON is a production of Telescope Film, in collaboration with the German Film Office | |
| Episode 64 - August 8, 2024: Director and writer Moritz Müller-Preisser discussed with us the strange pleasure of watching people, his love for pasta with fresh spinach and why a good team on set is everything. The 2024 Face to Face ambassador also gives a shout out to Tom Schilling – and was just a generally terrific guest. Episode 65 - August 29, 2024: In a short and fun interview actor Helena Zengel talked to us about her love of spring, of acting and horse-riding. Moreover, she could hardly stop raving about the series GRACE & FRANKIE. You can find all episodes on our website, and wherever podcasts are available.
SHORT TAKE on Instagram! | |
| EFP‘s Future Frames partners with the Seville European Film Festival
Five of the ten up-and-coming directors, including Hilke Rönnfeldt from Germany (A STUDY OF EMPATHY), whose short films were presented in early July as part of the EFP programme Future Frames at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival will now be going to the Seville European Film Festival in November (November, 8 to 16, 2024). The Seville European Film Festival will see the five emerging filmmakers presenting their short films in a special screening, followed by film talks with the audience. They are also invited to attend the new industry programme Frame Sevilla, with roundtables, presentations and meetings with investors. German Films is one of the supporter of the EFP programme Future Frames. | |
| Awards for German productions and co-productions at San Francisco, Karlovy Vary, Poznań and Vila do Conde. | |
| International releases of German films in August 2024 supported by the German Films Distribution Support program: TWO TO ONE in Greece (Distributor: Rodebud.21, World Sales: The Playmaker Munich, Theatrical Release: August 1, 2024)
SCORCHED EARTH in Greece (Distributor: Danaos Films, World Sales: The Match Factory, Theatrical Release: August 8, 2024)
THE CHAOS SISTERS FEAT. PENGUIN PAUL in Estonia (Distributor: Unlimited Media, World Sales: The Playmaker Munich, Theatrical Release: August 9, 2024)
THE CHAOS SISTERS FEAT. PENGUIN PAUL in Latvia (Distributor: Unlimited Media, World Sales: The Playmaker Munich, Theatrical Release: August 9, 2024)
HOLLYWOODGATE in UK and Ireland (Distributor: Curzon Film World, World Sales: Cinephil, Theatrical Release: August 16, 2024)
FÜHRER AND SEDUCER in Switzerland (Distributor: Elite Film AG, World Sales: Beta Film, Theatrical Release: August 22, 2024)
CUCKOO in Switzerland (Distributor: Praesens-Film, World Sales: Weltkino, Theatrical Release: August 22, 2024)
CHANTAL AND THE MAGIC KINGDOM in Hungary (Distributor: InterCom, World Sales: Picture Tree International, Theatrical Release: August 29, 2024)
EVERYTHING'S FIFTY FIFTY in Switzerland (Distributor: DCM Film Distribution, World Sales: Picture Tree International, Theatrical Release: August 29, 2024)
LUCY WANTED in Serbia (Distributor: Cinefest, World Sales: The Playmaker Munich, Theatrical Release: August 29, 2024)
SUN AND CONCRETE in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (Distributor: Unlimited Media, World Sales: Moonrise Pictures, Theatrical Release: August 30, 2024) Please note: Correct at time of going to press. Changes may occur at any time. | |
| German Films Service + Marketing GmbH
Herzog-Wilhelm-Straße 16
80331 München/Deutschland Tel +49-89-59 97 87-0
Fax +49-89-59 97 87-30 | |
| |
|
