For the third time, German watchmaker Glashütte Original, co-partner of the 64th Berlinale, and the Perspektive Deutsches Kino section have awarded the “Made in Germany – Perspektive Fellowship” for young German filmmakers. Endowed with €15,000, the fellowship is funded by the Saxon watch manufacturer to support young talented German directors in realizing their next projects.
This year two filmmakers can celebrate winning this prestigious fellowship. Submitted were ten projects by directors who had had films in last year’s Perspektive Deutsches Kino. Jurors Katja Eichinger (author and producer), Frieder Schlaich (producer and director), and Andres Veiel (director) then picked the winners: Sandra Kaudelka’s treatment for Intershop and Sebastian Mez’s treatment for 274.
Besides the prize money, the winners of “Made in Germany – Perspektive Fellowship” received a trophy from Glashütte Original. In developing their projects they will also be accompanied by a mentor.
Festival Director Dieter Kosslick opened today’s prize ceremony. After presenting the fellowships, jurors Andres Veiel and Frieder Schlaich, winner Sebastian Mez and section head of Perspektive Deutsches Kino Linda Söffker talked with the press. Sebastian Mez accepted his prize in person, while Sandra Kaudelka sent a video message from South Africa. Both winners thanked Glashütte Original for donating the fellowship, as well as the jury and the Berlinale.
Jury statement: Intershop
With Intershop, director Sandra Kaudelka has chosen for her film a world that will instantly awaken memories and arouse the curiosity of everyone who grew up in the days of East Germany. A place to fulfil both dreams and desires, an interface between East and West – Intershop is a potentially compelling, emotional tale, unlike any ever seen in German cinemas. We hope this prize will allow Sandra Kaudelka to continue her work on this project and so to exhaust the possibilities of her subject matter.
Jury statement: 274
What is exciting about Sebastian Mez’s story is its intensity. In this film only the moment counts and Mez knows how to describe it in a very gripping manner. For great loneliness and a deep look into a man’s soul, he immerses himself in a strange world and, already in his treatment, finds powerful cinematic images for doing so. A genuine perspective for German cinema.