| The German Film THE TEACHERS‘ LOUNGE by Ilker Çatak (if... Productions Film) is on the shortlist of the last 15 films for the 96th Oscars® in the Best International Feature Film category. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced its decision today, Thursday, December 21, 2023, with the German entry joining 14 other films on the shortlist.
In addition, the following co-productions are among the selection: Finland: FALLEN LEAVES by Aki Kaurismäki (FI/DE, Pandora Film)
Denmark: THE PROMISED LAND by Nikolaj Arcel (DK/DE/SE, Zentropa International Berlin)
Tunisia: FOUR DAUGHTERS by Kaouther Ben Hania (FR/TN/SA/DE, Twenty Twenty Vision Filmproduktion) On January 23, 2024, the Academy will reveal which five of the 15 films on the shortlist will be going forward to take part in the competition for the Oscar® in this category. A total of 88 countries submitted their approved films to the race. In August this year, an independent, nine-member jury selected THE TEACHERS‘ LOUNGE from 13 films submitted as the German entry for the Oscar® category Best International Feature Film. German Films is not represented on the selection committee and does not decide on the composition of the committee; this is the responsibility of the associations represented on the committee. About the film:
The drama THE TEACHERS‘ LOUNGE centres on Carla Nowak (Leonie Benesch), a young and dedicated sports and math teacher who starts her first job full of idealism. But then there are a series of thefts at her school. When a Turkish student is accused of thieving, Carla decides to get to the bottom of the matter, but she faces an insoluble dilemma: the prime suspect, the school’s secretary, is the mother of her most talented pupil, Oskar. The forces Carla has unleashed slide out of control to the point where Oskar contacts the school newspaper to publicize his mother’s point of view – which then sparks a heated debate about truth and justice. Carla tries to mediate between outraged parents, opinionated colleagues and aggressive students, but is mercilessly confronted in the process by the structures of the school system. The more she tries desperately to do everything right, the more the young teacher is on the verge of breaking apart. THE TEACHERS‘ LOUNGE is an electrifying work about the microcosm of a school as a mirror of our society. The film celebrated its world premiere at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival 2023 in the Panorama section, generating both national and international attention. In addition, THE TEACHERS‘ LOUNGE has been shown at numerous major international film festivals, including Telluride, Toronto, Busan, Ghent, Chicago, Vancouver and Tallinn. The film has also won several awards, including five at the German Film Awards with the Lola in Gold for Best Feature Film, as well as the Europa Cinemas Label at the Berlinale for Best European Film in the Panorama section and the CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award. Ilker Çatak and Johannes Duncker were nominated for the screenplay for THE TEACHERS‘ LOUNGE at the European Film Awards. Leonie Benesch also received a nomination for her leading role as teacher Carla Nowak. THE TEACHERS‘ LOUNGE was produced by if...Productions Film in co-production with ZDF and ARTE and supported by BKM, MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein as well as the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) and the German Federal Film Board (FFA). The German co-production FOUR DAUGHTERS by Kaouther Ben Hania (FR/TN/SA/DE, Twenty Twenty Vision Filmproduktion) is also competing in the Best Documentary category. The 96th Oscar® awards ceremony will be held on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood.
Further information about the Oscars® can be found here. | |
| Since 2012, German Films is organizing the Festival of German Films in China together with the Goethe Institut Beijing. The official program of the 11th edition was shown this year at the local Goethe Institut. In addition, there was a special screening at the German Embassy School with German director Aelrun Goette. The opening film of this years' Festival of German Films in China was WHEN WILL IT BE LIKE IT NEVER WAS BEFORE, followed by a live video Q&A with director Sonja Heiss. List of screened films:
WHEN WILL IT BE AGAIN LIKE IT NEVER WAS BEFORE by Sonja Heiss
IN A LAND THAT NO LONGER EXISTS by Aelrun Goette (Special Screening in Nanjing with Aelrun Goette on site)
IN THE BLIND SPOT by Ayşe Polat
MITTAGSSTUNDE by Lars Jessen
MUSIC by Angela Schanelec
ONE LAST EVENING by Lukas Nathrath
THE ORDINARIES by Sophie Linnenbaum COME WITH ME TO THE CINEMA – THE GREGORS by Alice Agneskirchner
DANCING PINA by Florian Heinzen-Ziob
NO, I DO by Claudia Sárkány
SEVEN WINTERS IN TEHRAN by Steffi Niederzoll
THE FOREST MAKER by Volker Schlöndorff | |
| From November 27 to December 1, 2023 a fine collection of best German Cinema was shown at Tyske Filmdager, which took place in Oslo and was organized by the Goethe Institut Norway with support of German Films. The program was a colorful mix of new German films and an opportunity to watch them on the big screen and in a unique cinema atmosphere in Oslo. The full list of screened German films:
SISI & ICH by Frauke Finsterwalder
THE ORDINARIES by Sophie Linnenbaum
FRANKY FIVE STAR byBirgit Möller
THE FOX by Adrian Goiginger
ROXY by Dito Tsintsadze
RHINEGOLD by Fatih Akin
WHAT YOU CAN SEE FROM HERE by Aron Lehmann
SOMEDAY WE'LL TELL EACH OTHER EVERYTHING by Emily Atef
QUEER EXILE BERLIN by Jochen Hick
TILL THE END OF THE NIGHT by Christoph Hochhäusler | |
| The second edition of the European Animation think tank occurred in Barcelona from November 22 to 24, 2023. Over 80 experts from public institutions, broadcasting companies, pan-European entities, and production representatives spanning more than 25 European countries participated in the event. For three days, key players in the animation value chain, including organizations such as Animation in Europe and CEE Animation, held content discussions aimed at improving the operational mechanisms of the European animation industry. Animar_BCN has now established itself as a central political forum. It is fertile ground for collaborative thinking. It has already led to concrete recommendations, such as the need for stronger common funding strategies across Europe, the development of compatible standards for co-productions, a greater emphasis on audience building, talent retention, and the intellectual property of independent producers. Five topics that are crucial for the health and future of European animation were highlighted at this year's Animar_BCN. The investment of media services in animation content. Direct Public & Tax Related Funding in European Animation. A Legal Framework for Animation Co-productions. Market Financing, Equity Investment, Private-Public Co-Financing, and Cashflow Facilities. Distribution of European Animated Works in Europe and Globally. The think tanks reached a series of conclusions following discussions which led to a set of concrete recommended actions aimed at policy makers. Animation in Europe will report on the first steps taken in response to these recommendations at MIFA Annecy in June 2024. More information about Animar_BCN here. | |
| At next year's 27th edition of EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS, Katharina Stark will represent Germany. An international jury of experts has selected ten European exceptional talents, recognising their potential for an international career based on many factors, including their outstanding performance in recent feature films and drama series that were submitted for their nomination. The EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS 2024 are Thibaud Dooms (Belgium), Margarita Stoykova (Bulgaria), Suzy Bemba (France), Salome Demuria (Georgia), Katharina Stark (Germany), Éanna Hardwicke (Ireland), Valentina Bellè (Italy), Džiugas Grinys (Lithuania), Kamila Urzędowska (Poland) and Asta Kamma August (Sweden). German actor Katharina Stark is a graduate of the renowned Otto Falckenberg School in Munich. Throughout her studies, she appeared in numerous TV movies, films (such as Anna Roller's feature film DEAD GIRLS DANCING) and plays, often with roles on the stage of the award-winning Münchner Kammerspiele theatre. Katharina is currently starring as the Polish interpreter Eva Bruhns in the German Disney+ original mini-series THE INTERPRETER OF SILENCE, based on the novel by Annette Hess and directed by Isabel Prahl and Randa Chahoud. The jury is full of praise: "… Katharina executes an emotionally charged and demanding role with ease. Her character's depth is conveyed through a performance that is both understated and compelling.” Previous German EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS have included Leonie Benesch (2023), Emilio Sakraya (2022), Albrecht Schuch (2021), Jonas Dassler (2020), Emma Drogunova (2019), Franz Rogowski (2018), Louis Hofmann (2017), Jella Haase (2016) and Jannis Niewöhner (2015). European Film Promotion (EFP) will present the EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS 2024 to the international film world during the Berlinale’s first weekend. | |
| In its 35th edition from January 19 to 27, the Trieste Film Festival continues the enduring tradition of the Wild Roses section. This annual segment, dedicated to assessing the work of female filmmakers from a Central Eastern European country, shifts its attention to German cinema this year. Following editions that were dedicated to Poland, Georgia, and Ukraine, this year's selection — carefully curated by Berlinale Executive Director Mariëtte Rissenbeek — features a compilation of the most compelling female perspectives from contemporary Germany. The programme will showcase thirteen titles from as many authors — films that have won numerous awards around the world, alongside lesser-known works, that will unveil names yet to be discovered by the Italian audience. Leading the German delegation will be Margarethe von Trotta (INGEBORG BACHMANN). Other names familiar to international festival audiences include Maren Ade (TONI ERDMANN), Valeska Grisebach (WESTERN) and Angela Schanelec (MUSIC); Maria Speth (MR: BACHMANN AND HIS CLASS), Maria Schrader (STEFAN ZWEIG: FARWELL TO EUROPE) and Emily Atef (3 DAYS IN QUIBERON). And on top the talents Ana-Felicia Scutelnicu (ANISHOARA), Ayşe Polat (IN THE BLIND SPOT), Nicolette Krebitz (WILD), Nora Fingscheidt (SYSTEM CRASHER), and Frauke Finsterwalder (SISI & I). Rissenbeek explains, "Wild Roses serves as a real inspiration to contemplate nonconformist and courageous female filmmakers, along with films that both engage and amuse me, yet may also be difficult and uncomfortable. After all, there's no rose without thorns." The Wild Roses focus is realised with the support of German Films, Goethe-Institut Rom and DeutschZentrum Triest. | |
| The focus of the next session for the English-language KINO! FILM SALON online film club on January 14, 2024 will be Fatih Akin‘s culinary and entertaining buddy comedy SOUL KITCHEN. The feature film received its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in 2009 and was a huge box-office hit in Germany and abroad. Our curator Jim Kolmar selected this movie: „SOUL KITCHEN sees the acclaimed director of dark dramas like HEAD ON and IN THE FADE in an unusually vivacious mode. Fatih Akin’s ribald comedy draws from the real life restaurant experiences of co-writer Adam Bousdoukos, providing a sense of authenticity that grounds the laughs in a real sense of gravitas. Successfully balancing sociopolitical weightiness with an earnest appreciation for good food, good company and an unapologetic appreciation for good old fashioned belly laughs, Akin's surprising film is a deeply satisfying romp that's as intelligent as it is funny.“ RSVP: https://bit.ly/kinofilmsalonsoulkitchen Date and time: Sunday, January 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 54 - January 11, 2024:
For our first SHORT TAKE episode 2024 we talked to writer/director Ilker Catak. How best to describe the filmmaker? He is a chess playing, former ice cream selling, deep sea diving creative who does not do regrets. And, has a penchant for cool cat Marcello Mastroianni in 8 1/2. After talking to Ilker in our latest Short Take episode we can only say: It takes one to know one! You can find all of the episodes on our website and wherever podcasts are available. SHORT TAKE on Instagram! | |
| dok.incubator is looking for ambitious feature-length documentaries in the rough-cut stage to participate in the 2024 workshop. Submit your film to work with world-class editors, get personal feedback on your rough cut from key decision-makers, and develop your unique marketing and distribution strategy. The program invites editors, directors, and producers to an eight-months development of their films under the guidance of renowned professionals, experienced producers, internationally established editors, and top European marketers. Participants will attend three residential sessions at different project development stages. And the system apparently works! Over the past 12 years the workshop has helped 13 films to get into Sundance competitions, more than 35 films were screened at IDFA and 6 were nominated for the European Film Award. Deadline for submissions is January 25, 2024. Apply here. More infos about dok.incubator and the workshop here. | |
| Films by Mila Zhluktenko and Daniel Asadi Faezi on DAFilms
DAFilms, the Doc Alliance’s streaming platform that’s available worldwide, presents a new Filmmakers in Focus program dedicated to documentary filmmakers Daniel Asadi Faezi and Mila Zhluktenko. The compilation was curated by Christopher Small and includes their shorts ARALKUM (2022), OPERA GLASSES (2019), WHERE WE USED TO SWIM (2019), the midlength THE ABSENCE OF APRICOTS (2018) and the feature SLOWLY FORGETTING YOUR FACES (2021). Their most recent short WAKING UP IN SILENCE (2023) has been screening worldwide at many festivals following the premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival and most recently won the Jury’s Grand Prize at the Poitiers Film Festival. | |
| Awards for German productions and co-productions at Ljubljana, Leuven and Poitiers. | |
| International releases of German films in January 2024 supported by the German Films Distribution Support program: ANSELM in Portugal (Distributor: Alambique, World Sales: Hanway, Theatrical Release: January 4, 2024)
HOLY SHIT in Austria and Switzerland (Distributor: Filmdelights, World Sales: Autlook Filmsales, Theatrical Release: January 26, 2024)
HOME SWEET HOME - WHERE EVIL LIVES in Switzerland (Distributor: Praesens-Film, World Sales: Constantin Film, Theatrical Release: January 25, 2024)
IN THE BLIND SPOT in Turkey (Distributor: Mars Production, World Sales: Arthood Entertainment, Theatrical Release: January 5, 2024)
LASSIE - A NEW ADVENTURE in Hungary (Distributor: ADS Service, World Sales: Global Screen, Theatrical Release: January 18, 2024)
MISSION: SCHOOL OF FUN in Lithuania (Distributor: Unlimited Media, World Sales: The Playmaker Munich, Theatrical Release: January 12, 2024)
STELLA. A LIFE. In France (Distributor: Kinovista, World Sales: Global Screen, Theatrical Release: January 17, 2024)
THE FLYING CLASSROOM in Hungary (Distributor: Vertigo Média, World Sales: Global Screen, Theatrical Release: January 4, 2024)
THE OGGLIES - WELCOME TO SMELLIVILLE in North Macedonia (Distributor: Cutaway, World Sales: The Playmaker Munich, Theatrical Release: January 18, 2024)
THE TEACHERS' LOUNGE in Canada (Distributor: Mongrel Media, World Sales: Be For Films, Theatrical Release: January 26, 2024)
WILD HEART in Estonia (Distributor: Unlimited Media, World Sales: The Playmaker Munich, Theatrical Release: January 12, 2024)
WILD HEART in Latvia (Distributor: Unlimited Media, World Sales: The Playmaker Munich, Theatrical Release: January 26, 2024)
Please note: Correct at time of going to press. Changes may occur at any time.
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