Internationally reknowned as a forum for the discovery of new directorial talent in arthouse cinema, the International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg established an additional competition for creative, intelligent serial dramas from talented newcomers since 2015. The Jury prizes a new Serial Drama with the "New Creators Award" for the first time.

The Jury 2015 is Rola Bauer, CEO at Tandem Productions, Prof. Nico Hofmann, Co-CEO at UFA, Marcus Ammon, Senior Vice President Film Sky Deutschland and Juliana Lima Dehne, Screenwriter and Creative Producer.

The independent Jury awards the following prizes for serial dramas:

New Creators Award Mannheim-Heidelberg 2015

OCCUPIED (NORWAY)

by Karianne Lund & Erik Skjoldbjærg

Production: Yellow Bird Norge AS, Norway

Distribution: Zodiak Rights, United Kingdom

Jury's statement: Occupied garners the top prize as quite simply, it is one of the most compelling series in terms of storytelling and intensity. A high octane politcal-thriller, incredibly well written, directed and cast, even in the minor roles. A really tense story that is thrilling from the get-go, interweaving the tension and uncertainty of the kidnapping to the main dilemma; what will be the fall out of Berg's decision, and what will this future hold for the people. Created by renowned Norwegian crime author Jo Nesbø, Occupied is Norway's most expensive television series ever made.

Sepcial Mention 2015

FAMILIE BRAUN - THE BRAUN FAMILY (GERMANY)

by Manuel Meimberg & Uwe Urbas

Production: Polyphon Film- und Fernsehgesellschaft mbH, Germany

Distribution: ZDF Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, Germany

Jury's statement: Familie Braun is honored tonight for its audacity and kudos both to the creators and and for ZDF’s Kleines Fernsehspiel for taking a risk. The story is very fresh, smart and young without trying too hard. The humor, given the subject matter, is something quite unique and makes the senselessness of racism hit home even harder and emphasizes the ignorance (or triviality) of being „braun“. Very funny and touching moments kept us glued to the screen and the use of an authentic soundtrack, handheld camera work and social network postings maintained the integrity of the drama, giving us an honest reflection of the time around us.

Sepcial Mention 2015

FOLLOW THE MONEY (DENMARK)

by Jeppe Gjervig Gram

Production: DR Danmarks Radio, Denmark

Distribution: DR International Sales, Denmark

Jury's statement: Follow the Money is honored tonight for the realistically drawn characters, written so simply and has an easy accessiblity for all of us, for the direction of making us focus on the small nuances of the moment, giving us emotional beats that are quite memorable, for the cool blue themed colours and camera movement that creates an atmosphere of mystery, for a beautiful score that propels the narrative so dramatically and of course for the excellent performances that honor life's extraordinary circumstances. it does represent a local story for the international arena and should be recognized.

All the series of the competition:

• Anomalia (Switzerland / Point Prod, RTS) – The first locally produced mystery series in Swiss Romande, tells the story of a brain surgeon who discovers that she has witchcraft powers. Pilar Anguita-Mackay (Creator), Pierre Monnard (Director) and Jean-Marc Fröhle (Producer) introduced their work at the festival. [World Premiere]
• Boy Machine (Sweden / FLX, TV4) – This comedy series is driven by both music and punch lines as it follows an aging boy group as they attempt a pop comeback. Eleonor Sager (Executive Producer) and Michael Lindgren (Director) came to Mannheim and Heidelberg. [World Premiere]
• Club der roten Bänder (Germany / Bantry Bay Productions, VOX) – A dramedy filled with joy of life centered around six terminally ill teenagers in hospital. It is the first locally produced TV show in the history of VOX. Richard Huber (Director), Jan Kromschröder and Gerda Müller (Producers) were at the festival. [World Premiere]
• Familie Braun (Germany / Polyphon, ZDF) – The eight-part web series takes on the subject of right-wing radicalism with a dose of not quite politically correct humor. Two neo-Nazis are confronted with the chocolate-brown 6-year old daughter of one of them, when she shows up at the doorstep of their apartment. Manuel Meimberg (Creator, Author), Uwe Urbas (Creator, Producer) and Maurice Hübner (Director) will took part in the festival. [World Premiere]
• Follow the Money (Denmark / DR) – The ten-part business thriller from “Borgen” writer Jeppe Gjervig Gram revolves around insider deals in the energy industry. Jeppe Gjervig Gram (Creator) and Anders Toft Andersen (Producer) were present at the festival. 
• Le Clan (Canada / Productions Casablanca, ICI Radio-Canada Télé) – The six-part family thriller tells the tragic story of a former gangster caught between two identities. Joanne Arseneau (Creator) and Charles Ohayon (Co-Producer) will introduce the series. [German Premiere]
• Occupied (Norway / Yellow Bird, TV2, Arte) – How does a society change when under occupation? In this political thriller, the nightmarish scenario plays out through the installation of a Russian energy protectorate in Norway. Karianne Lund (Creator), Erik Skjoldbjærg (Creator, Director), Marianne Gray and Gudny Hummelvoll (Producers) came to the festival. [German Premiere]
• The Principal (Australia / Essential Media and Entertainment, SBS) – The four-part mini series shows a principal’s fight in a tough school in a rough neighborhood as a blend of crime thriller and social drama. Kristen Dunphy (Creator, Writer) and Ian Collie (Creator, Producer) were present at the festival. [German Premiere]