German director Christian Petzold named as Viennale president
Austria’s Viennale film festival has named German filmmaker Christian Petzold as its new president. The role was vacant for six years following the death, in 2019, of Eric Pleskow, who had been president from 1998. As president of the Viennale, Petzold holds its highest position. Eva Sangiorgi, the Viennale’s director, said: “The Viennale has had a long-standing relationship with Christian Petzold and his filmmaking, and I personally feel a profound connection to his cinema. For this reason, it’s a great honor that he is taking over the presidency of the festival. He is such a coherent and consistent director that I’m convinced that he will bring inspiring energy and perspective with him during a time in which conversation about cinema and culture is so complex.”
Two German directors shortlisted for the Sony Future Filmmakers Awards 2025
30 films in four categories - fiction, non-fiction, animation, and student - were shortlisted for this year’s third edition of the Sony Future Filmmakers Award. In the fiction category, director Lina Ludwig is nominated with her short film UNDER THE BLUE, co-directed by James Curle. Among the five films shortlisted in the student category is ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, a graduation short by German director Franz Böhm at the National Film and Television School (NFTS). ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS already won the BAFTA Award Best Short Film in February. Nominated directors will participate in a 4-day program in Culver City from June 2-5, 2025, which will culminate with the awards ceremony. More info here.
New German Short Films – Spring catalogue update
29 new fiction, documentary, animation and experimental shorts produced since October 2024 have just been added to the AG Kurzfilm’s online short film catalogue. The new shorts, selected by a jury from suggestions made by members of the AG Kurzfilm (German Short Film Association), include films from the festival line-ups of Berlin, Rotterdam, Nyon, Cannes, Huesca and Annecy, among others. Those interested can search for German short films in the online catalogue using a wide range of functions, keywords, themes, and categories. International film professionals can screen the films online after registering. More than 1,000 short films produced since 2004 are now available for viewing. The latest catalogue update is available here. A selection of the recently added films can also be found on the T-Port Platform for Student and Short Films.
ACE series special 7 – Call for applications
ACE Producers is pleased to announce the call for applications for theACE Series Special 7, with thanks for support from Creative Europe MEDIA and Roma Lazio Film Commission. This will be a hands-on workshop for experienced producers who want to deepen their knowledge of developing and producing TV drama series for an international audience and/or integrate a series division into their companies. The workshop is open to members of the ACE Network or other producers at a similar level. Workshop dates are November 3-8, 2025, deadline for the applications is June 3, 2025. More information can be found here.
German co-production selected for Brussels CoProMarket
The Brussels International Film Festival is organizing the ninth edition of itsBrussels CoProMarket, which will take place on June 23 and 24, 2025, as part of the BRIFF - Brussels International Film Festival (June 20–28, 2025). This year, 14 feature film projects have been selected, including the German-Austrian co-production MARRIAGE BY ABDUCTION by Sophia Mocorrea. More information about the selected projects can be found here. Moreover, registration is now open for professionals wishing to attend the market and/or meet with the project representatives. The registration form is available here.
Franco-German Film Meeting 2025 in Paris
The next Franco-German Film Meeting is in preparation. On October 8 and 9, 2025, visionaries from the French, German and European film industry will once again come together in Paris to discuss current developments and develop joint perspectives for the future. The Franco-German Film Meeting 2025 is organized by German Films, Unifrance and the Franco-German Film Academy. Further information and the program can be found here. Registration deadline is September 15, 2025. Early bird tickets are available until June 30, 2025.
Submissions for the 23rd Doclisboa - Last call
The call for entries of the 23rd Doclisboa, taking place between October 16-26, 2025, are about to close. You have until May 31, 2025, 23:59 GMT+1 to submit / complete your film submissions through the Eventival platform, choosing the appropriate submission form and proceeding to the respective payment of the submission fee. Doclisboa accepts submissions of national and international films of any length, produced after September 2024. More information can be found here.
#DocsConnect Conscious Filmmaking - Open call
#DocsConnect is a unique and holistic training initiative designed to empower filmmakers and creative professionals with the tools, mindset, and industry access. Led by award-winning international mentors and developed from 25+ years of experience at Taskovski Films, one of the leading global documentary sales and production companies offer this 3-modul-training. Deadline for the application is June 30. More information and application form can be found here.
