The heated debate over the awards ceremony of this year’s Berlin Film Festival shows no signs of cooling down.
On Tuesday, German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann called out the Berlinale for allowing what he called “antisemitic” statements to go unchallenged at the awards gala in Berlin Saturday night. Speaking to newspapers of Germany’s Funke media group, Buschmann said the film festival “suffered serious damage” as a result and suggested there could be criminal consequences for some of the statements and slogans.
The awards ceremony for the 74th Berlinale turned sharply political as one award winner after another used their festival platform to call out the Israeli government for its actions in the war in Gaza.
Ben Russell, co-director of Direct Action, winner of the best film in Berlin’s Encounters sidebar, used the word “genocide” to describe Israeli military action in the region. Palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra, whose...
On Tuesday, German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann called out the Berlinale for allowing what he called “antisemitic” statements to go unchallenged at the awards gala in Berlin Saturday night. Speaking to newspapers of Germany’s Funke media group, Buschmann said the film festival “suffered serious damage” as a result and suggested there could be criminal consequences for some of the statements and slogans.
The awards ceremony for the 74th Berlinale turned sharply political as one award winner after another used their festival platform to call out the Israeli government for its actions in the war in Gaza.
Ben Russell, co-director of Direct Action, winner of the best film in Berlin’s Encounters sidebar, used the word “genocide” to describe Israeli military action in the region. Palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra, whose...
- 2/28/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New German Film Law to come into effect in 2023.
Just eight days after September’s Bundestag election and with various coalition negotiations underway behind closed doors in Berlin, Filmfest Hamburg provided a forum for a reflection on the possible direction for Germany’s film policy over the next four years.
Although the 90-minute discussion on Monday afternoon could only really scratch the surface of the (perennial) issues occupying the German film community, it nevertheless gave some useful food for thought.
Moreover, the arguments set out by the invited speakers could feed into a future debate on the necessary reforms to...
Just eight days after September’s Bundestag election and with various coalition negotiations underway behind closed doors in Berlin, Filmfest Hamburg provided a forum for a reflection on the possible direction for Germany’s film policy over the next four years.
Although the 90-minute discussion on Monday afternoon could only really scratch the surface of the (perennial) issues occupying the German film community, it nevertheless gave some useful food for thought.
Moreover, the arguments set out by the invited speakers could feed into a future debate on the necessary reforms to...
- 10/7/2021
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Adaptation
U.K. broadcaster BBC has announced a raft of documentary commissions at the ongoing Sheffield Doc/Fest, including an adaptation of the bestselling book “Natives” by BAFTA and Mobo award-winning hip-hop artist, bestselling author and social entrepreneur Akala‘s
The series “Akala: Race, Class and Empire” (working title), a BBC Three commission, will combine the story of Akala’s own personal journey of self-discovery with an exploration of issues of race, class and empire and how they affect the lives of young people today.
It was commissioned by Fiona Campbell, controller BBC Three and Clare Sillery, head of commissioning, documentaries, history and religion. It is being produced by Akala’s production company Immovable and long-time producing partner Greenacre Films.
Other commissions announced at Sheffield include “All At Sea: Fishing For Britain” (working title), a BBC One series looking at the world of deep-sea fishing; “The Nilsen Files: A Very...
U.K. broadcaster BBC has announced a raft of documentary commissions at the ongoing Sheffield Doc/Fest, including an adaptation of the bestselling book “Natives” by BAFTA and Mobo award-winning hip-hop artist, bestselling author and social entrepreneur Akala‘s
The series “Akala: Race, Class and Empire” (working title), a BBC Three commission, will combine the story of Akala’s own personal journey of self-discovery with an exploration of issues of race, class and empire and how they affect the lives of young people today.
It was commissioned by Fiona Campbell, controller BBC Three and Clare Sillery, head of commissioning, documentaries, history and religion. It is being produced by Akala’s production company Immovable and long-time producing partner Greenacre Films.
Other commissions announced at Sheffield include “All At Sea: Fishing For Britain” (working title), a BBC One series looking at the world of deep-sea fishing; “The Nilsen Files: A Very...
- 6/8/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Central government will boost its contribution to the existing production insurance scheme by €25m.
The German federal government is to provide an extra €45m ($55m) in pandemic support to the nation’s film industry as part of its Restart Culture funding programme.
Central government will boost its contribution to the existing production insurance scheme by €25m to €75m for feature films and high-end series production, with the application period extended until June 30, 2022.
The amount allocated for distributors and sales companies has also been almost doubled, with up to €20m now made available for distribution companies and €2m for sales companies,...
The German federal government is to provide an extra €45m ($55m) in pandemic support to the nation’s film industry as part of its Restart Culture funding programme.
Central government will boost its contribution to the existing production insurance scheme by €25m to €75m for feature films and high-end series production, with the application period extended until June 30, 2022.
The amount allocated for distributors and sales companies has also been almost doubled, with up to €20m now made available for distribution companies and €2m for sales companies,...
- 5/18/2021
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
The Berlin Film Festival has confirmed that it will hold its Berlinale Summer Special program as an outdoor event across 16 venues.
The falling Covid rate in the country and positive noises from government officials have renewed optimism among organizers that the event can go ahead in an outdoor capacity. The event will screen many of the films selected for the festival, which wasn’t able to take place in February due to Covid restrictions.
Hygiene and security plans have been developed and will be coordinated with the venues.
The main venue will be at the Museum Island Berlin, and on June 13, the awards ceremony will take place following the decisions of the official juries already made in March.
In addition, the Berlinale Documentary Award, sponsored by Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg and endowed with 40,000 euros, and the Gwff Best First Feature Award, sponsored by the Gesellschaft zur Wahrnehmung von Film- und Fernsehrechten and endowed with 50,000 euros,...
The falling Covid rate in the country and positive noises from government officials have renewed optimism among organizers that the event can go ahead in an outdoor capacity. The event will screen many of the films selected for the festival, which wasn’t able to take place in February due to Covid restrictions.
Hygiene and security plans have been developed and will be coordinated with the venues.
The main venue will be at the Museum Island Berlin, and on June 13, the awards ceremony will take place following the decisions of the official juries already made in March.
In addition, the Berlinale Documentary Award, sponsored by Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg and endowed with 40,000 euros, and the Gwff Best First Feature Award, sponsored by the Gesellschaft zur Wahrnehmung von Film- und Fernsehrechten and endowed with 50,000 euros,...
- 5/10/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Increase follows major demand from producers that have seen shoots disrupted by the pandemic.
Germany has boosted its filmmaking relief fund to more than €100m ($117m), following major demand from producers whose shoots have been disrupted by the pandemic.
An additional €19m has been added to the €81.5m already allocated through Germany’s Production Continuation Fund, after producers lobbied Monika Grütters, state minister for culture and media (Bkm) for state support.
It follows a move last September, when Grütters followed the lead of other European countries such as Austria, France, Netherlands and the UK to launch a €50m insurance fund...
Germany has boosted its filmmaking relief fund to more than €100m ($117m), following major demand from producers whose shoots have been disrupted by the pandemic.
An additional €19m has been added to the €81.5m already allocated through Germany’s Production Continuation Fund, after producers lobbied Monika Grütters, state minister for culture and media (Bkm) for state support.
It follows a move last September, when Grütters followed the lead of other European countries such as Austria, France, Netherlands and the UK to launch a €50m insurance fund...
- 4/1/2021
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Due to the organisational and infrastructural Covid-19 restrictions applied in recent months, Italy will now be the selected country at the 72nd edition of the festival. Update (12 October): Originally planned for the upcoming Berlinale and due to the organisational and infrastructural Covid-19 restrictions applied in recent months, Italy will now be the “Country in Focus” in 2022 at the European Film Market of the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival. Italy will be the “Country in Focus” at next year’s edition of the European Film Market, unfolding within the Berlin International Film Festival 2021. An agreement confirming this decision has been signed in Berlin in the presence of the Minister for Culture Dario Franceschini, his German counterpart Monika Grütters, the Berlinale’s executive director Mariette Rissenbeek and, last but not least, the director of international relations at Anica and audiovisual desks coordinator at the Italian Trade Agency Ice Roberto Stabile. Through.
- 10/12/2020
- Cineuropa - The Best of European Cinema
The online conference offered a cultural round trip across Europe, and discussed how film and media will shape our future society. On the occasion of the German EU Council presidency, Media Desk Germany hosted an online conference entitled “Visions of a Creative Europe” on 16 September, where filmmakers, industry representatives and politicians discussed how film and media will shape our future society in Europe. The event was hosted and moderated by AC Coppens. In order to bolster the distribution of high-quality films, series and games across national borders, Monika Grütters, Minister of State for Culture and the Media in Germany, is taking a stand to provide the Creative Europe programme and the Media Desks with an appropriate financial framework. The media industry is facing many challenges, but the programme offers myriad opportunities for strengthening and developing European film and enhancing its power to change society. “By pooling our efforts, and...
Presented by Creative Europe Media Desks Germany, the conference will explore the cultural future of Europe. The role that film, culture and media play in our society will be explored by cultural and media professionals on 16 September, in an online conference titled “Visions of a Creative Europe”. Presented by Creative Europe Media Desks Germany and funded by the German Minister of State for Culture and the Media, the event will introduce a variety of perspectives on the cultural future of Europe, bringing together professionals from various fields. The speakers will tackle relevant topics spanning from the importance of film and music in overcoming great challenges, artificial intelligence, the necessity of connecting cinemas in rural areas and many more subjects. After an introduction by the event’s host AC Coppens, founder of The Creatives’ Catalysts, the German Minister of State for Culture and the Media, Prof. Monika Grütters, will open the.
One-off financial support plan from minister for culture and media comes under fire.
Cinemas in North Rhine-Westphalia could be the first in Germany to show films again in lae May, according to plans set out by the federal state’s prime minister Armin Laschet at a press conference in Düsseldorf this week.
Laschet announced that, as part of a North Rhine-Westphalia Plan to further relax lockdown regulations, the region’s cinemas would be allowed to open again for business from May 30.
This would be on condition that patrons adhere to the minimum distance of 1.5 metres from one another and that...
Cinemas in North Rhine-Westphalia could be the first in Germany to show films again in lae May, according to plans set out by the federal state’s prime minister Armin Laschet at a press conference in Düsseldorf this week.
Laschet announced that, as part of a North Rhine-Westphalia Plan to further relax lockdown regulations, the region’s cinemas would be allowed to open again for business from May 30.
This would be on condition that patrons adhere to the minimum distance of 1.5 metres from one another and that...
- 5/7/2020
- by 158¦Martin Blaney¦40¦
- ScreenDaily
The ceremony was conducted from a largely empty Berlin soundstage.
Nora Fingscheidt’s System Crasher was the big winner at this year’s German Film Awards which celebrated their 70th edition in a ceremony reflecting the new reality of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nominated in 10 categories, Fingscheidt’s debut feature took home statuettes for best film (the Lola in Gold), best screenplay, best direction, lead actor (to Albrecht Schuch), lead actress (to Helena Zengel), supporting actress (to Gabriela Maria Schmeide), editing and sound design.
Burhan Qurbani’s Berlin Alexanderplatz, which premiered in Berlin Competition in February and had 11 nominations, was awarded...
Nora Fingscheidt’s System Crasher was the big winner at this year’s German Film Awards which celebrated their 70th edition in a ceremony reflecting the new reality of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nominated in 10 categories, Fingscheidt’s debut feature took home statuettes for best film (the Lola in Gold), best screenplay, best direction, lead actor (to Albrecht Schuch), lead actress (to Helena Zengel), supporting actress (to Gabriela Maria Schmeide), editing and sound design.
Burhan Qurbani’s Berlin Alexanderplatz, which premiered in Berlin Competition in February and had 11 nominations, was awarded...
- 4/25/2020
- by 158¦Martin Blaney¦40¦
- ScreenDaily
Germany Weeps For The Victims Of HanauAs the 70th Berlin film festival was about to open in the capital a 43-year-old German racist opened fire at two Shisha (hookah pipe) joints in the secondary city of Hanau, near Frankfurt, killing 11 Turkish and Kurdish German residents and wounding many others. He then returned home where he calmly killed his mother and himself leaving a long death note condemning the Islamic takeover of the country.The news of the film festival gala opening ceremony was relegated to the middle pages of most papers as the entire nation reels in shock.Artistic director Carlo Chatrian ©, executive director of Berlinale International Film Festival Mariette Rissenbeek (R) and host Samuel Finzi observe a minute of silence in honor of victims of a shooting in Hanau as they attend the opening gala of the 70th Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, February 20, 2020. [Photo/Vcg]The turnout at...
- 4/13/2020
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Filmfest director Diana Iljine emphasised Munich does not see itself in competition with Berlin.
Comments by Bavaria’s prime minister Markus Söder about the future positioning of the Munich Film Festival were one of the talking points at cocktails and parties held over the Filmfest’s first weekend (June 27-July 6).
In an interview with the local Munich newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, Söder argued that Munich should not be satisfied with second place behind the Berlinale.
“First of all, we have to catch up. Then you can still overtake,” he declared. “In addition to the Berlinale, there are various other top European...
Comments by Bavaria’s prime minister Markus Söder about the future positioning of the Munich Film Festival were one of the talking points at cocktails and parties held over the Filmfest’s first weekend (June 27-July 6).
In an interview with the local Munich newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, Söder argued that Munich should not be satisfied with second place behind the Berlinale.
“First of all, we have to catch up. Then you can still overtake,” he declared. “In addition to the Berlinale, there are various other top European...
- 7/2/2019
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Andreas Dresen’s biopic wins six prizes from 10 nominations.
Andreas Dresen’s biopic Gundermann was the big winner at this year’s German Film Awards, taking home six Lolas at the weekend’s gala in Berlin after receiving a record 10 nominations.
The production by Pandora Film Produktion and Kineo Filmproduktion received the evening’s top award, the Lola in Gold for best feature film, as well as the Lolas for best director (Dresen), screenplay (Laila Stieler), lead actor (Alexander Scheer), production design (Susanne Hopf) and costume design (Sabine Greunig).
Accepting his Lola for best director - his third win in...
Andreas Dresen’s biopic Gundermann was the big winner at this year’s German Film Awards, taking home six Lolas at the weekend’s gala in Berlin after receiving a record 10 nominations.
The production by Pandora Film Produktion and Kineo Filmproduktion received the evening’s top award, the Lola in Gold for best feature film, as well as the Lolas for best director (Dresen), screenplay (Laila Stieler), lead actor (Alexander Scheer), production design (Susanne Hopf) and costume design (Sabine Greunig).
Accepting his Lola for best director - his third win in...
- 5/8/2019
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Nuestra voz de tierra, memoria y futureThat was it: The last Berlinale under the leadership of Dieter Kosslick. Just a few more weeks and he’ll also be out of his office that will then be occupied by…whom, actually? 99% of folks would say: Carlo Chatrian, who else? Well, the correct answer might actually be: Mariette Rissenbeek, who’s the one signing the bills—Chatrian is, technically speaking, the festival’s artistic director; as such, he may be more of a glorified replacement of so-far Festival Curator Thomas Hailer but with greater visibility and more executive power, while Rissenbeek does most of Kosslick’s “industry” job while probably remaining otherwise in the shadows. Rissenbeek is career-wise certainly more in line with Kosslick: Both are professionals one could describe as party soldiers. Kosslick, as most people tend to forget, is originally not a movie person at all but a politician who...
- 4/8/2019
- MUBI
€5m in funding to be shared among cinemas in small towns and villages.
Independent cinemas in rural areas are set to benefit from a €5m (£5.6m) emergency aid package greenlit by Angela Merkel’s coalition government which will come into effect before the Bundestag’s summer recess.
The aid programme will be aimed at cinemas in communities with populations of less than 25,000 and provide a subsidy of up to €25,000 for cinema-owners to invest in measures such as new projection equipment, seating, accessibility, programming, marketing and advertising.
The funding will come from the budget of the Federal Ministry of Food and...
Independent cinemas in rural areas are set to benefit from a €5m (£5.6m) emergency aid package greenlit by Angela Merkel’s coalition government which will come into effect before the Bundestag’s summer recess.
The aid programme will be aimed at cinemas in communities with populations of less than 25,000 and provide a subsidy of up to €25,000 for cinema-owners to invest in measures such as new projection equipment, seating, accessibility, programming, marketing and advertising.
The funding will come from the budget of the Federal Ministry of Food and...
- 4/1/2019
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
The recipients were the producers of films nominated for best film, best doc and best children’s film.
More than €2m ($3.2m) in nomination premiums has been awarded to the producers of the films nominated for best film, best documentary and best children’s film at the 2019 German Film Awards, aka the Lolas, in Berlin today (March 20).
The best film nominees are Andreas Dresen’s Gunderman, Markus Goller’s 25 km/h, Caroline Link’s The Boy Needs Fresh Air, Aron Lehmann’s The Most Beautiful Girl In The World, Wolfgang Fischer’s Styx and Christian Petzold’s Transit. Each of...
More than €2m ($3.2m) in nomination premiums has been awarded to the producers of the films nominated for best film, best documentary and best children’s film at the 2019 German Film Awards, aka the Lolas, in Berlin today (March 20).
The best film nominees are Andreas Dresen’s Gunderman, Markus Goller’s 25 km/h, Caroline Link’s The Boy Needs Fresh Air, Aron Lehmann’s The Most Beautiful Girl In The World, Wolfgang Fischer’s Styx and Christian Petzold’s Transit. Each of...
- 3/20/2019
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Looking Forward to the Next Mistakes — Summary of the 17th Edition of Berlinale Talents
The Talent Naama Bunimovitz at the Camera Studio. Foto/photo: © Peter Himsel, Berlinale 2019
In front of a full house, anti-Mafia author Roberto Saviano brought the 17th edition of Berlinale Talents to a successful close. Charlotte Rampling, Erika Lust, André Téchiné, Adina Pintilie, David Lowery, Sandra Hüller, Guy Nattiv, James Schamus, Joanna Hogg and 120 other guests discussed with 250 Talents and thousands of Berliners about making (wrong) choices and dealing with them productively.
One thing was clear: Mistakes happen and quitting is seldom the best option — you have to face personal and social challenges by finding your own artistic paths, or detours, and pursuing them with a passion.
For Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media Monika Grütters, who opened the screening of Nora Fingscheidt’s Competition entry Systemsprenger (System Crasher) in Hau Hebbel am Ufer, the...
The Talent Naama Bunimovitz at the Camera Studio. Foto/photo: © Peter Himsel, Berlinale 2019
In front of a full house, anti-Mafia author Roberto Saviano brought the 17th edition of Berlinale Talents to a successful close. Charlotte Rampling, Erika Lust, André Téchiné, Adina Pintilie, David Lowery, Sandra Hüller, Guy Nattiv, James Schamus, Joanna Hogg and 120 other guests discussed with 250 Talents and thousands of Berliners about making (wrong) choices and dealing with them productively.
One thing was clear: Mistakes happen and quitting is seldom the best option — you have to face personal and social challenges by finding your own artistic paths, or detours, and pursuing them with a passion.
For Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media Monika Grütters, who opened the screening of Nora Fingscheidt’s Competition entry Systemsprenger (System Crasher) in Hau Hebbel am Ufer, the...
- 2/20/2019
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
By The Grace Of God wins the Silver Bear, while Yong Mei and Wang Jingchun take the acting Bears for Wang Xiaoshuai’s So Long, My Son.
Nadiv Lapid’s Synonymes won the Golden Bear for best film at Dieter Kosslick’s 18th and final outing as Berlin’s festival director at the Berlinale Palast tonight (Feb 16).
It’s the first time in the Berlinale’s history that an Israeli director has won the Golden Bear. The film is a French-Israeli-German co-production.
Lapid dedicated the award to his late mother, the editor Ara Lapid, who he described as his “most...
Nadiv Lapid’s Synonymes won the Golden Bear for best film at Dieter Kosslick’s 18th and final outing as Berlin’s festival director at the Berlinale Palast tonight (Feb 16).
It’s the first time in the Berlinale’s history that an Israeli director has won the Golden Bear. The film is a French-Israeli-German co-production.
Lapid dedicated the award to his late mother, the editor Ara Lapid, who he described as his “most...
- 2/16/2019
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Industry also reacts to Elisa Y Marcela controversy.
Netflix has ended years of legal wrangling with the German Federal Film Board (Ffa) by finally agreeing to make financial contributions to the national film fund from this September.
While Amazon, which has German headquarters based in Munich, had already been paying into the Ffa, Netflix had contested the application of the levy obligation specified in the German Film Law (Ffg) of 2014. It argued it is not technically a German company as its European headquarters is in the Netherlands.
However, last year, the European Court of Justice dismissed Netflix’s suit as...
Netflix has ended years of legal wrangling with the German Federal Film Board (Ffa) by finally agreeing to make financial contributions to the national film fund from this September.
While Amazon, which has German headquarters based in Munich, had already been paying into the Ffa, Netflix had contested the application of the levy obligation specified in the German Film Law (Ffg) of 2014. It argued it is not technically a German company as its European headquarters is in the Netherlands.
However, last year, the European Court of Justice dismissed Netflix’s suit as...
- 2/15/2019
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Berlin Film Festival artistic director Dieter Kosslick has responded to an open letter from exhibitors criticizing the inclusion of a Netflix film in competition.
Yesterday, 160 German independent exhibitors sent a strong message to the festival and German culture minister Monika Grütters in which they demanded Isabel Coixet’s drama Elisa Y Marcela be removed from the competition strand. “The Berlinale stands for the big screen, Netflix the small screen,” they said. European arthouse cinema body Cicae also voiced frustration at the decision.
A festival spokesperson has told us the film will not be removed from the lineup and that its planned limited theatrical release in Spain means there is no contravention of festival rules, which state that a film must have a theatrical release somewhere. The Spanish-language drama, which debuts at the festival tomorrow, is not currently slated to have a theatrical release in Germany, however.
In a new...
Yesterday, 160 German independent exhibitors sent a strong message to the festival and German culture minister Monika Grütters in which they demanded Isabel Coixet’s drama Elisa Y Marcela be removed from the competition strand. “The Berlinale stands for the big screen, Netflix the small screen,” they said. European arthouse cinema body Cicae also voiced frustration at the decision.
A festival spokesperson has told us the film will not be removed from the lineup and that its planned limited theatrical release in Spain means there is no contravention of festival rules, which state that a film must have a theatrical release somewhere. The Spanish-language drama, which debuts at the festival tomorrow, is not currently slated to have a theatrical release in Germany, however.
In a new...
- 2/12/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
In an open letter to Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick and German culture and media commissioner Monika Grütters, 160 independent exhibitors are calling for Isabel Coixet’s competition film “Elisa y Marcela” to be shown out of competition.
“We, the independent arthouse cinema operators in Germany, do not agree with the fact that ‘Elisa y Marcela,’ by Isabel Coixet, a film that will not have normal theatrical distribution but will only be seen on Netflix, is being shown,” the exhibitors wrote. “We therefore demand that the film be shown out of competition.”
The cinema operators said they had taken the step to protest the fact that Netflix was using “the big festivals and film awards as a marketing platform and diminishing the position of cinema as a place of culture. The Berlinale stands for the big screen, Netflix the small screen.”
The demand was echoed by the International Confederation of Art Cinemas...
“We, the independent arthouse cinema operators in Germany, do not agree with the fact that ‘Elisa y Marcela,’ by Isabel Coixet, a film that will not have normal theatrical distribution but will only be seen on Netflix, is being shown,” the exhibitors wrote. “We therefore demand that the film be shown out of competition.”
The cinema operators said they had taken the step to protest the fact that Netflix was using “the big festivals and film awards as a marketing platform and diminishing the position of cinema as a place of culture. The Berlinale stands for the big screen, Netflix the small screen.”
The demand was echoed by the International Confederation of Art Cinemas...
- 2/11/2019
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
A visibly moved Dieter Kosslick received a standing ovation at the opening of the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday as he took to the stage to welcome international stars, filmmakers, and cinephiles for the final time as festival director.
The 69th Berlinale opened with a 1920s-style serenade dedicated to Kosslick by popular German singer Max Raabe and entertainer Anke Engelke, who also hosted the ceremony.
Monika Grütters, Germany’s culture and media commissioner, praised Kosslick for his 18 years at the head of one of the world’s largest film festivals.
Kosslick succeeded in sharpening the festival’s political profile, attracting international stars and filmmakers and ensuring the glamour factor, Grütters said.
“Our Berliner Bear in gold and silver, our beautiful trophy, is our most famous ambassador of film, but only one person can compete with him. That’s you, dear Dieter. And at the opening of your 18th and our 69th Berlinale,...
The 69th Berlinale opened with a 1920s-style serenade dedicated to Kosslick by popular German singer Max Raabe and entertainer Anke Engelke, who also hosted the ceremony.
Monika Grütters, Germany’s culture and media commissioner, praised Kosslick for his 18 years at the head of one of the world’s largest film festivals.
Kosslick succeeded in sharpening the festival’s political profile, attracting international stars and filmmakers and ensuring the glamour factor, Grütters said.
“Our Berliner Bear in gold and silver, our beautiful trophy, is our most famous ambassador of film, but only one person can compete with him. That’s you, dear Dieter. And at the opening of your 18th and our 69th Berlinale,...
- 2/7/2019
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Dieter Kosslick will take his final bow this edition as director of the Berlin Film Festival, but the indelible mark he has left on the event will make his presence felt for years to come.
While the affable topper, who is receiving Variety’s Achievement in Intl. Film Award at the Berlin Film Festival, will no longer be running the show, he may very well remain a fixture of Germany’s film industry for the forseeable future.
Kosslick remains tight-lipped about his plans, but he has been fielding offers and also plans to release his autobiography this year, titled “Schön auf dem Teppich bleiben,” loosely translated as “Keep Your Feet on the Ground.”
“I’ll still be here until June,” Kosslick says. “Then I’ll take a summer break and consider what I’ll do next. Quoting our chancellor: ‘I’m sure I’ll think of something.’ We’ll see.
While the affable topper, who is receiving Variety’s Achievement in Intl. Film Award at the Berlin Film Festival, will no longer be running the show, he may very well remain a fixture of Germany’s film industry for the forseeable future.
Kosslick remains tight-lipped about his plans, but he has been fielding offers and also plans to release his autobiography this year, titled “Schön auf dem Teppich bleiben,” loosely translated as “Keep Your Feet on the Ground.”
“I’ll still be here until June,” Kosslick says. “Then I’ll take a summer break and consider what I’ll do next. Quoting our chancellor: ‘I’m sure I’ll think of something.’ We’ll see.
- 2/4/2019
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Germany’s VFX sector is celebrating newly revamped guidelines of the country’s main subsidy program, which make it possible for big-budget animated and visual effects-heavy projects to secure rebates as high as 45% when they meet new minimum spend requirements.
The new rules do away with requirements that films have to be physically shot in-country to qualify for the German Federal Film Fund (Dfff) rebate incentive program. The two-tier Dfff system includes a funding pool, known as Dfff II, that is specifically aimed at international co-productions and big-budget domestic films.
Germany’s muscular VFX industry has for years lobbied for inclusion in the program, which until now has focused on production companies and physical on-location shoots. Instead of being linked to physical shoots, the new regulations require a simple €2 million ($2.3 million) spend in order to qualify for the Dfff II’s 25% rebate.
German regional funders Fff Bayern and Mfg Baden-Württemberg...
The new rules do away with requirements that films have to be physically shot in-country to qualify for the German Federal Film Fund (Dfff) rebate incentive program. The two-tier Dfff system includes a funding pool, known as Dfff II, that is specifically aimed at international co-productions and big-budget domestic films.
Germany’s muscular VFX industry has for years lobbied for inclusion in the program, which until now has focused on production companies and physical on-location shoots. Instead of being linked to physical shoots, the new regulations require a simple €2 million ($2.3 million) spend in order to qualify for the Dfff II’s 25% rebate.
German regional funders Fff Bayern and Mfg Baden-Württemberg...
- 10/18/2018
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Locarno chief Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek, managing director of promotion agency German Films, have been officially confirmed as the new co-heads of the Berlinale to take over from Dieter Kosslick when his contract is up after the 2019 edition.
Chatrian will serve as artistic director, handling film selection, while Rissenbeek will be festival manager, running the business of the fest, including organization and sponsorship. Previously, Kosslick had handled both roles.
Monika Grütters, the German state minister for culture and media who led the hiring committee, made the announcement today in Berlin.
Chatrian’s appointment had leaked to the German media earlier this week. The well-liked Italian, a former journalist, has been artistic director at the Locarno Film Festival since 2012. Alongside a strong roster of international arthouse films Locarno is known for attracting U.S. movies including Jason Bourne, The Big Sick and Atomic Blonde to its iconic Piazza Grande.
Rissenbeek...
Chatrian will serve as artistic director, handling film selection, while Rissenbeek will be festival manager, running the business of the fest, including organization and sponsorship. Previously, Kosslick had handled both roles.
Monika Grütters, the German state minister for culture and media who led the hiring committee, made the announcement today in Berlin.
Chatrian’s appointment had leaked to the German media earlier this week. The well-liked Italian, a former journalist, has been artistic director at the Locarno Film Festival since 2012. Alongside a strong roster of international arthouse films Locarno is known for attracting U.S. movies including Jason Bourne, The Big Sick and Atomic Blonde to its iconic Piazza Grande.
Rissenbeek...
- 6/22/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The German culture minister said Friday that Mariette Rissenbeek, managing director of German Films, will become the executive director of the Berlin International Film Festival alongside newly named artistic director Carlo Chatrian, who is currently chief of the Locarno Film Festival. Chatrian and Rissenbeek will start their new posts as co-chiefs of the Berlinale in 2020.
In a statement, culture minister Monika Grütters said: “With our two new directors, we will make sure that the Berlinale will continue beyond 2019 – the last year under [current Berlinale chief] Dieter Kosslick’s direction – to be an audience-oriented festival with a political focus and an ambitious film program, while continuing to evolve.”
Grütters said that, with Rissenbeek and Chatrian at the helm, the Berlinale’s leadership will be “younger, more international and open to experimentation.” She added that Chatrian “also brings the artistic and curatorial skills that many experts and filmmakers had hoped for.”
Noting that Rissenbeek will...
In a statement, culture minister Monika Grütters said: “With our two new directors, we will make sure that the Berlinale will continue beyond 2019 – the last year under [current Berlinale chief] Dieter Kosslick’s direction – to be an audience-oriented festival with a political focus and an ambitious film program, while continuing to evolve.”
Grütters said that, with Rissenbeek and Chatrian at the helm, the Berlinale’s leadership will be “younger, more international and open to experimentation.” She added that Chatrian “also brings the artistic and curatorial skills that many experts and filmmakers had hoped for.”
Noting that Rissenbeek will...
- 6/22/2018
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek, managing director of German Films, have been officially confirmed as the new dual heads of the Berlinale to take over from the present festival director Dieter Kosslick when his contract expires in May 2019.
The appointment of both an artistic director and festival manager – an innovation for the 68-year-old festival, but general practice at many other international film festivals – was announced in Berlin today (Friday) by Monika Grütters, the state minister for culture and media who lead the hiring committee. Rissenbeek was a member of the three-strong committee, along with Björn Böhning, the former head of the Berlin senate chancellery.
The appointment of both an artistic director and festival manager – an innovation for the 68-year-old festival, but general practice at many other international film festivals – was announced in Berlin today (Friday) by Monika Grütters, the state minister for culture and media who lead the hiring committee. Rissenbeek was a member of the three-strong committee, along with Björn Böhning, the former head of the Berlin senate chancellery.
- 6/22/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
The final announcement will be made tomorrow (22 June).
With Locarno chief Carlo Chatrian’s appointment as successor to Dieter Kosslick as the artistic director of the Berlinale considered a done deal by the German media after a leak from the decision-making body to a tabloid journalist, attention is now focused at who will be the festival manager.
This person will be responsible for finances, organisation and sponsors as part of a new dual leadership for the festival from May 2019.
Monika Grütters, Germany’s state minister for culture and media, has long made it clear she wanted to appoint a woman...
With Locarno chief Carlo Chatrian’s appointment as successor to Dieter Kosslick as the artistic director of the Berlinale considered a done deal by the German media after a leak from the decision-making body to a tabloid journalist, attention is now focused at who will be the festival manager.
This person will be responsible for finances, organisation and sponsors as part of a new dual leadership for the festival from May 2019.
Monika Grütters, Germany’s state minister for culture and media, has long made it clear she wanted to appoint a woman...
- 6/21/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
The final announcement will be made tomorrow (22 June).
With Locarno chief Carlo Chatrian’s appointment as successor to Dieter Kosslick at the Berlinale considered a done deal by the German media after a leak from the decision-making body to a tabloid journalist, attention is now focused at who might be selected as the festival manager responsible for finances, organisation and sponsors as part of a new dual leadership for the festival from May 2019.
According to German press reports, it is being presumed that a woman from the local film industry will be proposed to fill the post of festival manager.
With Locarno chief Carlo Chatrian’s appointment as successor to Dieter Kosslick at the Berlinale considered a done deal by the German media after a leak from the decision-making body to a tabloid journalist, attention is now focused at who might be selected as the festival manager responsible for finances, organisation and sponsors as part of a new dual leadership for the festival from May 2019.
According to German press reports, it is being presumed that a woman from the local film industry will be proposed to fill the post of festival manager.
- 6/21/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Chatrian is the artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival.
Carlo Chatrian, artistic director of the Locarno film festival since 2012, has been named in German media reports as the new artistic director of the Berlinale from 2020.
The news was neither confirmed nor denied by Monika Grütters, the German state minister for culture and media, who had been planning to announce the new director at a press conference in Berlin on Friday June 22.
Chatrian would replace Dieter Kosslick who has headed the Berlinale since 2001.
If the handover procedure follows the same pattern as when Kosslick succeeded Moritz de Hadeln, Chatrian would...
Carlo Chatrian, artistic director of the Locarno film festival since 2012, has been named in German media reports as the new artistic director of the Berlinale from 2020.
The news was neither confirmed nor denied by Monika Grütters, the German state minister for culture and media, who had been planning to announce the new director at a press conference in Berlin on Friday June 22.
Chatrian would replace Dieter Kosslick who has headed the Berlinale since 2001.
If the handover procedure follows the same pattern as when Kosslick succeeded Moritz de Hadeln, Chatrian would...
- 6/20/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
As the Ffa, also known as the German Federal Film Board, turns 50 this year, Germany is celebrating the contribution of a funding organization that has not only created a thriving local movie sector, but also put the country on the map as a prime location for international productions.
With an annual budget of €76 million ($94 million) — financed by the country’s film levy, which is paid by exhibitors, video distributors and broadcasters — the Ffa oversees diverse funding vehicles that support all stages of film production and exploitation, from script development and production to distribution and sales. The Ffa’s core operations also include financing for cinemas, film preservation and the promotion of German cinema abroad, as well as the publication of market data on Germany’s film, exhibition and video sectors.
Monika Grütters, Germany’s commissioner for culture and the media, says the Ffa has been instrumental in establishing cinema as...
With an annual budget of €76 million ($94 million) — financed by the country’s film levy, which is paid by exhibitors, video distributors and broadcasters — the Ffa oversees diverse funding vehicles that support all stages of film production and exploitation, from script development and production to distribution and sales. The Ffa’s core operations also include financing for cinemas, film preservation and the promotion of German cinema abroad, as well as the publication of market data on Germany’s film, exhibition and video sectors.
Monika Grütters, Germany’s commissioner for culture and the media, says the Ffa has been instrumental in establishing cinema as...
- 5/4/2018
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Current Berlin director Dieter Kosslick will step down next year.
Torsten Neumann, co-founder and director of the Oldenburg International Film Festival since 1994, has become the latest name to be connected with the ongoing quest for a successor to Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick from May 2019.
Neumann, who is currently planning the 25th anniversary edition of his festival for this September, has hosted such international guests as Nicolas Cage, Mira Sorvino, Jim McBride, Matthew Modine, Alexandre Rockwell and Lou Diamond Phillips as well as leading lights from the local German industry – from Nicolette Krebitz through Jürgen Vogel and Oskar Roehler to Corinna Harfouch...
Torsten Neumann, co-founder and director of the Oldenburg International Film Festival since 1994, has become the latest name to be connected with the ongoing quest for a successor to Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick from May 2019.
Neumann, who is currently planning the 25th anniversary edition of his festival for this September, has hosted such international guests as Nicolas Cage, Mira Sorvino, Jim McBride, Matthew Modine, Alexandre Rockwell and Lou Diamond Phillips as well as leading lights from the local German industry – from Nicolette Krebitz through Jürgen Vogel and Oskar Roehler to Corinna Harfouch...
- 5/2/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Emily Atef’s chamber piece takes best film, best director and best actress amongst others.
Emily Atef’s 3 Days in Quiberon was the big winner at this year’s German Film Awards in Berlin at the weekend, taking home seven Lolas from ten nominations.
The Rohfilm Factory production received the Golden Lola for best film – with a cash prize of €500,000 - as well as statuettes for director Atef, lead actress Marie Bäumer, supporting actors Birgit Minichmayr and Robert Gwisdek, DoP Thomas W. Kiennast, and composers Christoph M. Kaiser and Julian Maas.
The chamber piece - about German-French star Romy Schneider...
Emily Atef’s 3 Days in Quiberon was the big winner at this year’s German Film Awards in Berlin at the weekend, taking home seven Lolas from ten nominations.
The Rohfilm Factory production received the Golden Lola for best film – with a cash prize of €500,000 - as well as statuettes for director Atef, lead actress Marie Bäumer, supporting actors Birgit Minichmayr and Robert Gwisdek, DoP Thomas W. Kiennast, and composers Christoph M. Kaiser and Julian Maas.
The chamber piece - about German-French star Romy Schneider...
- 5/1/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Series producers had previously only been able to access regional funding.
Germany’s state minister for culture and media Monika Grütters has raised the prospect of the German Federal Film Fund (Dfff) production incentive being expanded to include high-end TV series.
Speaking in Berlin on Friday 23 February, Grütters said that, according to the coalition agreement with the Social Democrats, funding from the Bkm is to be “continued at least at the same level” to guarantee Germany’s international competitiveness as a production hub.
She explained that her ministry would have a total of €150m to invest in film production this year, including €25m for culturally-oriented funding.
“A wide-ranging funding programme of audiovisual content should include series, high-end TV, animation and virtual reality, and there should be a better coordination of the existing funding instruments,” she argued.
Responding to Grütter’s future plans, Constantin Film’s...
Germany’s state minister for culture and media Monika Grütters has raised the prospect of the German Federal Film Fund (Dfff) production incentive being expanded to include high-end TV series.
Speaking in Berlin on Friday 23 February, Grütters said that, according to the coalition agreement with the Social Democrats, funding from the Bkm is to be “continued at least at the same level” to guarantee Germany’s international competitiveness as a production hub.
She explained that her ministry would have a total of €150m to invest in film production this year, including €25m for culturally-oriented funding.
“A wide-ranging funding programme of audiovisual content should include series, high-end TV, animation and virtual reality, and there should be a better coordination of the existing funding instruments,” she argued.
Responding to Grütter’s future plans, Constantin Film’s...
- 2/23/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Principal photography beginning in autumn, producer Jonas Dornbach revealed to Screen.
Sandra Hüller, the award-winning star of Maren Ade’s Toni Erdmann, will be reunited with the film’s producer Komplizen Film for the female lead in Kosovo-born Visa Morina’s second feature Exil.
Speaking exclusively with Screen, producer Jonas Dornbach revealed that principal photography is planned to begin at locations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in the autumn.
Described as “a fascinating thriller about paranoia and identity”, Exil had been nominated as one of the three finallists for this year’s Golden Lola for the Best Unfilmed Screenplay.
State minister for culture & media Monika Grütters announced at a ceremony at the weekend that Morina was the winner of the Lola statuette with a cash prize of €10,000 and the option to receive up to another €20,000 in funding to complete his screenplay.
Past winners of this screenplay...
Sandra Hüller, the award-winning star of Maren Ade’s Toni Erdmann, will be reunited with the film’s producer Komplizen Film for the female lead in Kosovo-born Visa Morina’s second feature Exil.
Speaking exclusively with Screen, producer Jonas Dornbach revealed that principal photography is planned to begin at locations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in the autumn.
Described as “a fascinating thriller about paranoia and identity”, Exil had been nominated as one of the three finallists for this year’s Golden Lola for the Best Unfilmed Screenplay.
State minister for culture & media Monika Grütters announced at a ceremony at the weekend that Morina was the winner of the Lola statuette with a cash prize of €10,000 and the option to receive up to another €20,000 in funding to complete his screenplay.
Past winners of this screenplay...
- 2/19/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Principal photography beginning in autumn, producer Jonas Dornbach revealed to Screen.
Sandra Hüller, the award-winning star of Maren Ade’s Toni Erdmann, will be reunited with the film’s producer Komplizen Film for the female lead in Kosovo-born Visa Morina’s second feature Exil.
Speaking exclusively with Screen, producer Jonas Dornbach revealed that principal photography is planned to begin at locations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in the autumn.
Described as “a fascinating thriller about paranoia and identity”, Exil had been nominated as one of the three finallists for this year’s Golden Lola for the Best Unfilmed Screenplay.
State minister for culture & media Monika Grütters announced at a ceremony at the weekend that Morina was the winner of the Lola statuette with a cash prize of €10,000 and the option to receive up to another €20,000 in funding to complete his screenplay.
Past winners of this screenplay...
Sandra Hüller, the award-winning star of Maren Ade’s Toni Erdmann, will be reunited with the film’s producer Komplizen Film for the female lead in Kosovo-born Visa Morina’s second feature Exil.
Speaking exclusively with Screen, producer Jonas Dornbach revealed that principal photography is planned to begin at locations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in the autumn.
Described as “a fascinating thriller about paranoia and identity”, Exil had been nominated as one of the three finallists for this year’s Golden Lola for the Best Unfilmed Screenplay.
State minister for culture & media Monika Grütters announced at a ceremony at the weekend that Morina was the winner of the Lola statuette with a cash prize of €10,000 and the option to receive up to another €20,000 in funding to complete his screenplay.
Past winners of this screenplay...
- 2/19/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
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