VGF AWARDED WENNDANN FILM WITH THEIR PRODUCER NEWCOMER PRICE

And thus to a now traditional "main act" of the reception: the presentation of the VGF Young Producer Award, endowed with 60,000 euros. To a young company that already caused a sensation with its cinema debut: "Zweigstelle" by director Julius Grimm counted around 108,000 admissions in (mainly Bavarian) cinemas - and the production achievement of WennDann Film around HFF graduates Simon Bogocz, Felix Mann and Ben Ulrich was highlighted not least for having managed the project "despite an almost hopeless financial situation and the loss of a central budget component".

According to the recipients, the award underlines not least that it is worthwhile to remain optimistic and believe in oneself despite all setbacks. The aim is to build a bridge to the public. "Comment columns over industry reviews" is the credo.

BR Director Katja Wildermuth, FFF Managing Director Dorothee Erpenstein and the deputy Union parliamentary group leader Anja Weißgerber (Credit: THE SPOT media & film)

Which brings us back to the investment commitment. After all, the joy about this was dampened by the comment columns under a "Tagesschau" report, which mocked how bad German film was. Quite apart from the fact that the figures from last year and even more so from last week speak a completely different language: WennDann Film had set out to disprove this advantage: "Because there are so many great talents and films in this country!"

What would you like to see? More speed in the realization of films. After all, it is extremely difficult to capture the zeitgeist when you are already talking about production budgets for 2028. What happens next? Right now, with the premiere of "I understand their displeasure" in the Panorama section. Together with Julius Grimm with "Chopper" - and with a German adaptation of the successful British series "Skins". And what do the three producers have in their hearts? Cinema as a link in society, as a place of discourse.