The feature film I'M YOUR MAN by Maria Schrader (Letterbox Filmproduktion) will enter the race for Germany for the 94th Oscar^® in the category Best International Feature Film.This was decided by an independent jury of experts meeting under the supervision of German Films. A total of ten films were submitted for selection.

The nine-member jury with jury spokesman Moritz Hemminger (The Playmaker Munich) justified their decision as follows: "Who makes us happy? A human being or perhaps a robot? From this thought experiment, Maria Schrader forms a futuristic film that nevertheless strikes a chord with the times. Told in concise dialogue, with two outstanding lead actors, I’M YOUR MAN varies a classic theme of science fiction and shows that strong genre cinema can also come from Germany."

"I am overwhelmed by all the positive feedback our film has received in the last weeks and months. That the jury is now sending I’M YOUR MAN into the Oscar^® race is a great honour and a very special milestone in the success story of this film. Without our strong partners, SWR – who initiated and accompanied this project – Majestic Filmverleih and Beta Cinema, this success would not have been possible. I am delighted with Maria Schrader, Maren Eggert, Dan Stevens and the entire team about this recognition and look forward with great excitement and anticipation to the Academy selection at the beginning of February!" says producer Lisa Blumenberg, Letterbox Filmproduktion.

About the film:
Alma (Maren Eggert) is a scientist at the famous Pergamon Museum in Berlin. In order to obtain research funds for her work, she is persuaded to participate in an extraordinary study. For three weeks, she is to live with a humanoid robot tailored to her character and needs, whose artificial intelligence is intended to be the perfect life partner for her. Alma meets up with Tom (Dan Stevens), a highly sophisticated machine in human form, created solely to make her happy.

I’M YOUR MAN tells of an encounter that may await us in the near future. It is a melancholy comedy that looks at questions of love, longing and what makes human beings human.

I’M YOUR MAN is a production by Letterbox Filmproduktion. Lisa Blumenberg is the producer. The film was made in collaboration with SWR.

The film opened in German cinemas on 1 July 2021. The foreign rights for I’M YOUR MAN were sold to more than 60 countries, so audiences in Great Britain and Russia, among others, were able to see Maria Schrader's unusual romantic comedy as early as August, while the theatrical release in markets such as Canada, Scandinavia, other European countries, Asia and Latin America will follow. In the US, Bleecker Street Media will release the film nationwide on 24 September 2021, following its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. Beta Cinema is responsible for world distribution.

I’M YOUR MAN was screened at numerous festivals worldwide, including Jerusalem, Toronto, Stockholm and Ghent. At this year's Berlinale, lead actress Maren Eggert was awarded the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance.

About the road to the Oscars^®:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will publish a list of all titles submitted in the category Best International Feature Film in the first week of November 2021. Last year, 93 countries entered the race. On December 21st 2021, the Academy will announce a shortlist of the fifteen selected films still in the running for the Oscar^® in this category. From this short list, the five nominated films will be selected and announced on February 8th, 2022. The award ceremony will take place on March 27, 2022.

About the selection of the German contribution:
The German entry for the Oscar^® in the category Best International Feature Film is decided by a selection committee appointed each year. This committee consists of representatives from eight different trade associations and institutions of the German film industry.

German Films, as the relevant umbrella organization, is responsible for the preparation and execution of the selection process for the German entry to the Oscar^® race in the category Best International Feature Film. German Films itself is not represented on the selection committee and does not decide on the composition of the board; this is the responsibility of the associations represented on the committee.

More about the submitted films and the selection committee ...