| German animation film had a very strong presence at the world’s leading animation film festival in Annecy (June 11-17, 2023) this year with 2 features, 9 shorts and one VR work in the competitive sections and 3 projects presented as works-in-progress and pitches. For an overview click here. The world premiere of JOHNNY & ME – A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME WITH JOHN HEARTFIELD by Katrin Rothe (DE/CH/AT, Hanfgarn & Ufer) in the Contrechamp competition was particularly well-received, as well as the open-air screening of RICHARD THE STORK AND THE MYSTERY OF THE GREAT JEWEL (Knudsen Pictures). The co-production THE SIREN by Sepideh Farsi (FR/DE/LU/BE, Trickstudio Lutterbeck, Katuh Studio) won the Best Original Music Award and the FROM THE MAIN SQUARE by Pedro Harres (DE/BR, Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF) the Festivals Connexion VR Award. The animation film market MIFA was the hub of the international animation industry from June 13-16, 2023 and set new record numbers of almost 16.000 accreditations (including more the 6.000 MIFA accreditations). Together with the German Short Film Association (AG Kurzfilm) and Animation Germany, German Films provided an umbrella stand to promote the German festival lineup and animation industry. The industry professionals were also introduced to the new animated short films that have been added to the NEW GERMAN SHORTS online catalogue since the beginning of this year. The traditional German reception on the shores of Lac d'Annecy was held close to the market location this year. Almost 300 guests enjoyed the hospitality by the organizers Animation Media Cluster Region Stuttgart (AMCRS), the Animation Production Days (APDs), the Animationsinstitut of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, the FMX – Film & Media Exchange, German Films, the German Short Film Association (AG Kurzfilm), the MFG Film Funding Baden-Württemberg, the Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM) and the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS). The festival will be celebrating its next edition from June 9-15, 2024. | |
| The 25th edition of the FESTIVAL OF GERMAN FILMS took place from June 14-18, 2023 at a new location, the Cines Embajadores cinema in Madrid, to celebrate new German cinema in the Spanish capital. Director Frauke Finsterwalder presented her drama SISI & I as the opening film of the festival in front of a full auditorium. Actor Lena Urzendowsky answered many various questions from students and the audience at a Q&A about FRANKY FIVE STARS, the film by Birgit Möller.
Another highlight was the film ORPHEA IN LOVE, which was shown in the Goethe Ciclo "MÚSICA - Lamento - Ritmo - Amor - CINE". After the film and Q&A, the actor and opera singer Mirjam Mesak accompanied the audience to the enchanting garden of the Goethe-Institut. Here, the audience, the talents and the Spanish distributors had the opportunity to further exchange ideas in a cozy atmosphere.
In addition, the Next Generation Short Tiger Program 2022 was shown on Saturday afternoon, presented by short film director Luis Schubert (BLIND SPOTS).
The festival takes place in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut and is supported by the Amigos del Goethe-Institut Espana, the German Embassy Madrid and FILMIN.
German Prodactions in Madrid SISI & I by Frauke Finsterwalder (Opening Film) FRANKY FIVE STAR by Birgit Möller IN THE BLIND SPOT by Ayşe Polat SKIN DEEP by Alex Schaad UNCANNY ME by Katharina Pethke VAMOS A LA PLAYA by Bettina Blümner Goethe Focus ORPHEA IN LOVE by Axel Ranisch INTO THE BEAT by Stefan Westerwelle HAPPY LAMENTO by Alexander Kluge Here's the full program of the festival. | |
| FACE TO FACE WITH GERMAN FILMS ambassador Lukas Nathrath's feature ONE LAST EVENING opened the International Panorama section at the Shanghai International Film Festival, celebrating its Asian Premiere.
Lukas, as well as the German filmmakers Claudia Sárkány (NO, I DO) and Michael Kleinfeld (SANITATEM), attended SIFF to present their films on stage. ONE LAST EVENING was well received and led to a lively discussion with the Chinese audience, which was very engaged and interested in the film - that deals with the topic of COVID times. Here's the full festival line up. | |
| Lena Urzendowsky, actor and ambassador of the 2023 edition of FACE TO FACE WITH GERMAN FILMS - THE FILMMAKERS brought a glimpse of German talent to Italy with the screening and Q&A of COCOON, a coming-of-age film by Leonie Krippendorff. More than 120 people attended the public and school screenings hosted by the Goethe Institut Rome for GERMANIA A COLORI, a program which celebrates diversity and inclusion and takes place from February to July 2023. Here's the full program. | |
| The focus of the next session for the English-language KINO! FILM SALON online film club on July 16, 2023 will be Thomas Stuber’s IN THE AISLES.
The tragicomedy with lead actress Sandra Hüller (TONI ERDMANN, I’M YOUR MAN, THE ZONE OF INTEREST, ANATOMY OF A FALL) and lead actor Franz Rogowski (UNDINE, TRANSIT, GREAT FREEDOM, PASSAGES) celebrated its international premiere in the Official Competition at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2018 and was very popular on the international festival circuit. Our curator Jim Kolmar selected this movie: “Franz Rogowski and Sandra Hüller star as two employees drawn together in Thomas Stuber's darkly comic 2018 romance. IN THE AISLES takes place in a gargantuan supermarket, with a keen eye for the absurdity of the daily grind, in all of its quotidian drudgery. Initially hinting at a kind of suburban meet-cute, the film's flirtation with convention is a large part of its considerable charm, unafraid to lean into the best tropes of the genre, yet more than happy to suggest the erotic tension of a breakroom coffee machine. IN THE AISLES is an idiosyncratic, irresistible treat. “ Note: Franz Rogowski’s most recent film PASSAGES by Ira Sachs will be released theatrically on August 4, 2023 in the United States. RSVP: https://bit.ly/kinofilmsalonintheaisles
Date and time: Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 11am - 12pm PT, 2pm - 3pm ET, 8pm - 9pm CET.
Hosted by Jim Kolmar
KINO! FILM SALON is a production of Telescope Film, in collaboration with the German Film Office. | |
| Episode 45 - July 6, 2023: Berlin-based Marie Mouroum is a stuntwoman, model and actor. Her filmography includes impressive highlights. For example, she appeared as a stuntwoman in CLOUD ATLAS, THE HUNGER GAMES - MOCKINGJAY PART 1 and JAMES BOND - NO TIME TO DIE and has starred as a actress in blockbusters like AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR and ENDGAME or BLACK PANTHER. In this episode of SHORT TAKE she talked about Chocolate, Black Panther and her love of singing. Episode 46 - July 27, 2023: Director, writer and producer Sophie Linnenbaum is mostly known for her awarded short films [OUT OF FRA]ME, MEINUNGSAUSTAUSCH and PIX. In this episode she talked about her love for food, directing and the joy of a foaming soap dispenser. Enjoy our latest SHORT TAKE episode with this quick-witted filmmaker. You can find all of the episodes on our website and wherever podcasts are available. SHORT TAKE on Instagram! | |
| German Films and DOK Industry are looking for the most exciting new German documentary projects. You can submit your projects directly through DOK Leipzig’s website DOK Preview Germany is a presentation for up to 8 German productions, newly completed or in their final stages, with an estimated release date in autumn/winter 2023/2024. The teams present their projects to international buyers, editors, world sales, festivals and distributors. With the project presentation and subsequent opportunity for networking and exchange, we support selected projects for international marketing. DOK Preview Germany is a joint production of German Films and DOK Leipzig, with support from AG DOK. Which projects are we looking for? – Feature-length documentaries (at least 79 minutes) with international potential, especially for theatrical release and festival exploitation – Works-in-Progress, or newly completed films, planned release autumn/winter 2023/2024 – Productions with majority German participation (BAFA proof required for international co-productions) More information is on DOK Leipzig’s website When and where? DOK Preview Germany will take place on 9 October 2023 as part of DOK Leipzig and DOK Industry. Guests and project representatives can meet, talk and network at the networking cocktail afterwards. If you have questions, please contact the DOK Preview Germany Coordinator Anne Rethfeldt by email | |
| Christian Petzold at Tel Aviv Student Film Festival For the 25th edition of the Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival (25 June - 1 July 2023), the German film director Christian Petzold will be invited as a guest of honor. During his stay in Tel Aviv, films such as AFIRE, THE STATE I AM IN, and PHOENIX will be screened. Christian Petzold will personally present his latest film AFIRE on stage.
He will also held a masterclass on "The Encounters of Time in the Cinema of Christian Petzold" at the Cinematheque. More information can be found on the festival website. 96th OSCAR COMPETITION IN THE CATEGORY International Feature Film - SELECTION OF THE GERMAN ENTRY
German Films calls upon rights holders of films to participate in the selection of the German entry to the 96th OSCAR® competition in the category International Feature Film (feature film, animated film, documentary). Please find all the necessary information here.
For any questions please contact Nicole Kaufmann. Call for Annecy residency 2024
Writers and directors of 1st and 2nd animated feature films in development can apply for a three-month "residency" to be held in Annecy from April-June 2024. The residency’s main focus is on the graphic development of the project. The program is overseen by the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (9-15 June 2024), and will include travel and accommodation expenses, a workspace, mentoring and participation in the MIFA Animation Film Market for the three selected projects. More information here. The deadline for applications is 10 September 2023. European short pitch 2023 / 2024
The European Short Pitch has been supporting the development of short film projects, young talents and European co-productions since 2007. For the 17th edition in 2023/24, writer, directors and/or producers can apply with their short film projects in development until 27 July 2023. The first 5-day workshop is held in November with a main focus on script development. Intermediate sessions will prepare the participants for the Coproduction Forum in February 2024, where they will present the projects to the international industry on site. The Coproduction Forum is organized during the Travelling Film Festival in Rennes (France). Short films that are currently in postproduction can apply for the works-in-progress pitches later this year. More information here. | |
| German productions and co-productions at Palm Springs, Sheffield, Shanghai, Sydney, Cluj and Karlovy Vary | |
| Awards for German productions and co-productions in Cannes, Annecy and Zlín. | |
| International releases of German films in July 2023 supported by the German Films Distribution Support program: GREAT FREEDOM in Japan (Distributor: Tokyu Bunkamura, World Sales: The Match Factory, Theatrical Release: 07 July 2023) RHEINGOLD in Turkey (Distributor: Yeni Bir Film, World Sales: The Match Factory, Theatrical Release: 07 July 2023)
Please note: Correct at time of going to press. Changes may occur at any time.
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