Berlin

 

By Alice Kanterian: On the occasion of the Berlinale the MFG Baden-Württemberg is organising one of the most wanted events, the Thomas Strittmatter Award Ceremony at their  impressive "embassy" in Berlin the  Baden-Württemberg  State Representation. This is an event not to miss, as who is who of the German film industry  gets together.

PHOTO: MFG CEO Bergengruen cutting the traditional cake on the occasion of the Thomas Strittmatter Award Ceremony

 

The MFG Baden-Württemberg is an institution of the state of Baden-Württemberg and Südwestrundfunk public broadcaster. MFG is short for Medien and Filmgesellschaft, which translates as Media and Film Society. The aim of MFG is to promote film culture and film industry as well as the cultural and creative industries in the Southwest of Germany.

 

MFG operates as a state-wide centre of excellence. It is a public promoter of culture and economic development and provides targeted support measures to the industry. The MFG Film Funding focuses on project funding, whereas MFG Creative focuses on networking and communication for the cultural and creative industries and on digital culture as a field of expertise. MFG works with its shareholders to provide supervision and advice for projects in the fields of media competence, open source, online state projects and university cooperations.

 

This year famous German actress Katja Riemann and British actor Sam Riley (married to internationally successful German actress of Romanian or origins Alexandra Maria Lara) were part of the film teams presenting the new projects which will be funded. The moderator of the evening was Knut Elstermann, a very present figure, and all Berlinale winners know his radio show. And I was his interpreter on various occasions. Knut manages the spagat between entartainment and serious film criticism, his interviews are famous, taken right on the sport at the  Potsdamer Platz after the premieres, and he knows him all, the most prestigious directors and actors. And he did not disappoint my expectations this time either, together with Carl Bergengruen, the CEO of the MFG Baden-Württemberg and the host of the evening, he presented the nominees. Elstermann also interviewed Katja Riemann and Sam Riley about their upcoming projects (watch the videos). While Katya Riemann spoke about her role in the new project, Sam Riley commented on his interpretation of South African ballet dancer and choreographer John Cranko in the biopic "Cranko" about his time at the Stuttgart Ballet and what he has in common with him.