| The 32nd edition of the Raindance Film Festival in London was particularly special this year. At the UK's largest independent film festival, the organizers welcomed Germany as the "Guest of Honour" from June 14 to 28, 2024. In collaboration with Raindance, German Films not only presented current productions by German filmmakers but also, in celebration of their 70th anniversary, looked back on seven decades of German cinematic achievements. On Wednesday, the German production CUCKOO by Tilman Singer opened the festival in the completely sold-out main hall of the Curzon Mayfair cinema. The horror film, starring Hunter Schafer, captivated the audience, as evidenced by the subsequent 45-minute Q&A session moderated by Finn Halligan (Screen International). In the evening, around 300 guests celebrated the beginning of the Raindance Festival at the Raindance Festival Centre Wonderville. The festival's line-up also included the following German productions and co-productions: - ETERNAL YOU by Hans Block and Moritz Riesewieck
- FALLING INTO PLACE by Aylin Tezel
- IT'S BURNING by Erol Afsin
- WHAT YOU SEE OF ME by Isabelle Caps-Kuhn
All directors were personally present in London to introduce their films at the festival. As part of the German focus, the short film program Next Generation Short Tiger 2024 was also shown, as well as a retrospective titled "70 Years Of German Cinema – A Success Story," featuring the 2009 film THE WHITE RIBBON by Michael Haneke. German actor and lead of the film, Christian Friedel, also traveled to London to hold a masterclass for the audience before the film screening, in conversation with film curator Sandra Hebron, former artistic director of the London Film Festival and currently head of the Screen Arts department at NFTS. Director and actress Aylin Tezel also spoke at an industry event about how directors who also star in their own films manage their dual roles on set. In another well-attended masterclass, Germa Films Managing Director Simone Baumann explored the topic "Funding and Co-Productions with German Films." Another highlight was the reception with around 120 invited guests at the German Embassy in London in honor of the German focus and the German filmmakers. | |
| As part of the FACE TO FACE WITH GERMAN FILMS campaign, the talents travel to various international film festivals and events to get to know the worldwide film industry, but also to introduce and present their profession and their filmmaking. In June, FACE TO FACE ambassador Mona Cathleen Otterbach was therefore at the Raindance Film Festival in London and gave an exclusive masterclass on production design to share her very personal and interesting path into the film industry. She talked about her current film MILK TEETH, presented the trailer, demonstrated the color concept and the 'before and after' of the filming locations with mood boards for the different cinematic worlds. Mona also took part in other masterclasses, immersed herself in the atmosphere of UK's biggest independent film festival, and was a guest at the German Embassy reception in London. | |
| From June 9 to 15, 2024, the 48th edition of the world's largest International Animation Film Festival Annecy in France took place with a record number of over 17,400 accredited participants from 103 countries with over 430 films presented in the Official Selection. At the same time, the well-organized MIFA film market proceeded with 6,500 accredited people from the animation industry, as well as over 4,000 students from international universities. Focus country Portugal enchanted the audience, as well as guests of honour like Terry Gilliam, Wes Anderson, Andy Serkis, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Regina Pessoa, and many more. Animation Germany and German Films, in cooperation with AG Kurzfilm, presented an extraordinary range of German animated films. A total of 19 animated feature and short films, commissioned productions, Pride and Diversity films, German VR / AR productions, as well as feature animated films from a new non-competitive section "Annecy presents" were screened in competition and various categories. For the 2024 edition, the Annecy Festival put the Choreographies „Animation and Dance”-theme center stage. The festival also offered a special venue for fusing animation, immersive creations, and gaming in one XR&Games area. The Grand Prix in the Contrechamps feature film section was awarded to the multiple award-winning feature film SULTANA’S DREAM by Isabel Herguera, a Spanish-German coproduction by Fabian&Fred. The Cristal Award for a Graduation Short Film went to CARROTICA by Daniel Sterlin-Altman. The Special Prize for Best Original Music Award for a Short Film went to JOKO by Aliaksandr Yasinski, a coproduction between Poland, Germany, and Czech Republic. EMPEROR (Germany, France) by Marion Burger and Ilan Cohen was awarded with the Special Prize Festivals Connexion VR Award. | |
| The German Film Fest took place for the 25th time this year in Madrid at the famous Cine Embajadores.
The popular and much-visited movie theater opened its doors for another edition of the festival from June 12-16, 2024. The opening film MILK TEETH on Wednesday was presented by the leading actress Mathilde Bundschuh. The following day continued with full halls of Spanish students watching Carolina Hellsgard's THE FLYING CLASSROOM.
This year's Next Generation Short Tiger guest Sofia Ayala rounded off Thursday with an exciting Q&A in the cinema about the short film program and her film VOLVER AL SUR. Director Christina Friedrich (ZONE) and director Veit Helmer (GONDOLA) also impressed the audience with creative answers to the interesting questions. The "70 YEARS OF GERMAN FILMS" anniversary was also present as the films SOLO SUNNY and I AM YOUR MAN from the retrospective were screened. The festival is organized in cooperation with the local Goethe-Institut and supported by the Amigos del Goethe-Institut Espana, the German Embassy Madrid and FILMIN. Full list of screened films:
MILK TEETH by Sofia Bösch (Opening Film)
ZONE by Christina Friedrich
MARTIN READS THE QURAN by Jurijs Saule
GONDOLA by Veit Helmer
ETERNAL YOU by Moritz Riesewieck, Hans Block
THE FLYING CLASSROOM by Carolina Hellsgard 70 Years Films:
I'M YOUR MAN by Maria Schrader
SOLO SUNNY by Konrad Wolf | |
| The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) annually honors international talents with the BAFTA Student Awards. In 2024, more than 800 short films were submitted by 109 schools in 37 countries. On June 14, 2024, the longlist of 79 projects in 5 categories was published (Animation, Documentary, Live Action, Games, Immersive), 12 short films produced at four German film schools were selected: Animation - IT’S JUST A WHOLE by Bianca Scali (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg)
- PEAR GARDEN by Shadab Shayegan (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg)
- THE LAST BAR by Arne Hain (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg)
Documentary - KINE EM? US IN WHOM by Yara Khalil (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF)
- NOSTALGIA by Nina Kormann-Eyermann (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg)
Live Action - CRUST (KRUSTE) by Jens Kevin Georg (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF)
- ECHOES OF JUNO by Reza Sam Mosadegh (Hamburg Media School)
- FIRE DRILL by Maximilian Villwock (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF)
- HALFWAY HOUSE (HAUS AM HANG) by Konstantin Münzel (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg)
- LONG TIME NO SEE (LANGE NICHT GESEHEN) by Kevin Biele (ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln)
- THE SEA OF DIRAC by Niklas Lipski (ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln)
- THURSDAY (DONNERSTAG) by Maja Bresink (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg)
The finalists will be announced on June 28, 2024. The awards ceremony is scheduled on July 12, 2024 in Los Angeles. In 2023, THE TASTER by Sophia Bierend (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF) was the winning film in the Live Action Category. More info about the BAFTA Student Award here. | |
| FRG 1990
EUROPA EUROPA
(OT: HITLERJUNGE SALOMON) ANGRY HARVEST (BITTERE ERNTE) was the first collaboration between legendary producer Artur Brauner and Polish director Agnieszka Holland, who is no less legendary today, in 1985. It came with great success: the film about a Jewish woman who finds refuge with a war profiteer during the Nazi regime was nominated for an Oscar® in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Five years later, their second film together again addressed the Holocaust through an individual fate. In EUROPA EUROPA, Holland and Brauner adapted the dreadful and true story of the Jew Salomon Perel, whose escape from the Nazis as a teenager first leads him to Stalin’s Russia and then to the Wehrmacht at the front. He pretends to be an Aryan-German and eventually ends up in an elite Hitler Youth school back in Germany. Living in constant fear of being discovered, he survives the war years in the midst of Nazi-Germany. To this day, EUROPA EUROPA remains a remarkable film in German film history because it breaks with familiar patterns by means of highly differentiated characters and an idiosyncratic narrative tone. The film succeeds with astonishing stylistic confidence in balancing the horrors of the Holocaust, the feelings of a teenager and black-humored Nazi mockery in such a way that it enables new perspectives. Just how unusual the film was actually perceived in Germany at the time was demonstrated by the astonishingly rigid decision of the commission appointed annually by the Export Union of German Cinema to determine the German Oscar candidate for Best Foreign Language Film. Although EUROPA EUROPA was showered with critics’ awards in the USA and had grossed around six million dollars at the US box office, the commission decided as a novelty not only to disregard EUROPA EUROPA but to send any film into the Oscar race at all. A remarkable affront to a film that seemed ahead of its time. However, Hollywood reacted to this disdain in its own unique way: EUROPA EUROPA was nominated for Best Screenplay at the 1992 Oscars® and won Best Foreign Language Film at the 1992 Golden Globes. (Oliver Baumgarten) Director: Agnieszka Holland Screenplay: Agnieszka Holland, based on Salomon Perel’s biography DoP: Jacek Petrycki Editor: Ewa Smal, Isabelle Lorente Composer: Zbigniew Preisner Production: Artur Brauner, Margaret Ménégoz for CCC Filmkunst, Les Films du Losange Runtime: 113 Min. Premiere: November 14, 1990 Cast: Marco Hofschneider, André Wilms, Hanns Zischler, Julie Delpy, Delphine Forest et al. Rights: CCC Filmkunst, Berlin | |
| The focus of the next session for the English-language KINO! FILM SALON online film club on July 14, 2024 will be Arne Birkenstock’s entertaining music documentary SOUND OF HEIMAT (DEUTSCHLAND SINGT). Our curator Jim Kolmar selected this movie: „The 2012 documentary SOUND OF HEIMAT is a love letter to the deep importance music holds in the German cultural imagination, demonstrated the enthusiasts and practitioners that bring it to life. Essentially a road movie, directors Arne Birkenstock and Jan Tengeler deliver sumptuous visuals rooted primarily in pastoral alpine vistas and picturesque villages. Our guide on this journey is New Zealand musician Hayden Chisholm, engaged in a personal odyssey across Germany. Exploring the country’s rich aural history and folklore, the heart of the film is found in the passion and knowledge of the communities Chisholm encounters along the way. Unafraid to touch on the complexities of Germany’s past, the irreverence and generosity of spirit found in SOUND OF HEIMAT results in a film that is thoughtful, entertaining and life-affirming. Most importantly, the film overflows with stunning music, taking in diverse genres including polka, yodeling, jazz, and even hip hop. It’s a treat for the senses, and a modestly remarkable achievement. A sonic balm for the soul.“ RSVP: https://bit.ly/kinofilmsalonsoundofheimat Date and time: Sunday, July 14 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 63 - June 18, 2024: From teriffic and taltented multi-hyphenate Saralisa Volm we not only got great book and talent recommendations – we also talked about delicious food such as Aligot, why hugs and chocolate help achieving moments of happiness, about cruel honesty in friendships, and finally, how cool Zendaya is. You can find all episodes on our website, and wherever podcasts are available. SHORT TAKE on Instagram! | |
| Latin american critics’ award for THE TEACHER'S LOUNGE
The German film THE TEACHER'S LOUNGE by İlker Çatak has won the Latin American Critics' Award for European Films, which is being presented for the first time by European Film Promotion (EFP) in cooperation with the Guadalajara International Film Festival. "Congratulations to İlker Çatak for winning the award. It was probably the universality of the film’s theme, the outstanding directing and Leonie Benesch’s excellent performance in front of the camera which convinced the jury", EFP’s Managing Director Sonja Heinen said. The jury of 33 selected film critics from 13 Latin American countries had to decide between 23 nominated films from 23 different European countries. Emerging Artists 2025 - Call for submissions
Since 2013, AG Kurzfilm and German Films have been presenting young artists and their experimentally oriented, emerging cinematic works as part of the biennial touring program "Emerging Artists - Contemporary Experimental Films and Video Art from Germany". The call for the upcoming 7th edition is open for experimental shorts and videos made by artists at the beginning of their careers. Projects can be submitted until July 21, 2024, they should have been completed after January 1, 2023 and not be longer than 25 minutes. All information and the detailed call for projects are available here. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences® invites 487 new members
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 487 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to motion pictures. The way into the Academy is via an Oscar nomination or other special achievements in film. Among those invited are German actress Sandra Hüller (ANATOMY OF A FALL) and German writer-director İlker Çatak (THE TEACHERS' LOUNGE). Other German filmmakers with an invitation include actor Teo Yoo (PAST LIVES), casting director Ulrike Müller (SCORCHED EARTH), film editor Toni Froschhammer (PERFECT DAYS), costume designer Jürgen Doering (PERSONAL SHOPPER), production designer Till Benjamin Nowak (BLACK PANTHER), sound artist Manfred Banach (HOME SWEET HOME - WHERE EVIL LIVES), visual effects artist Michael Grobe (DUNE: PART TWO) as well as executives Iris Knobloch (Cannes) and Sasha Bühler (Netflix). Many thanks to Susanne Davis at EFP
As our partner European Film Promotion (EFP) bids farewell to Susanne Davis, the long-standing head of EFP Film Sales Support (FSS), who is retiring, German Films would also like to send a heartfelt "Thank you" to Susanne for over twenty years of successful collaboration. And of course a warm "Welcome" to Cornelia Klimkeit, who will be taking over the management of the program. Film Sales Support (FSS) is a financial incentive for European world sales companies. It is designed to help promote and sell European films outside Europe. | |
| German productions and co-productions at Zlín, Vienna, Krakow, Huesca, Palm Springs, Sheffield, Zagreb, Annecy, Shanghai, Valencia, Raindance, Karlovy Vary and Vila do Conde. | |
| Awards for German productions and co-productions at Cannes, Krakow, Vienna, Zagreb, Zlín and Annecy. | |
| International releases of German films in July 2024 supported by the German Films Distribution Support program: WEEKENDREBELS in Taiwan (Distributor: Swallow Wings, World Sales: Picture Tree International, Theatrical Release: July 5, 2024)
THABO - THE RHINO ADVENTURE in Poland (Distributor: Bomba Film, World Sales: Sola Media, Theatrical Release: July 12, 2024)
WILD HEART – RIDE TO FREEDOM in Hungary (Distributor: ADS Service, World Sales: Sola Media, Theatrical Release: July 18, 2024)
STELLA. A LIFE. in Chile (Distributor: Cinematografica Distribuidora Internacional, World Sales: Global Screen, Theatrical Release: July 25, 2024) Please note: Correct at time of going to press. Changes may occur at any time. | |
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