FIRST STEPS Awards

Program description

The FIRST STEPS Awards are the most important and most highly endowed award for graduating films from film schools in the German-speaking countries. Four independent juries decide on nominations and awards in nine categories: Full-length Feature Film, Medium-Length Feature Film, Short and Animated Film, Documentary Film, Commercial Film, NO FEAR Award, Michael Ballhaus Award, FIRST STEPS Screenplay Award and Götz George Young Talent Award.

Institution

Deutsche Filmakademie

The German Film Academy, based in Berlin, was founded on September 8, 2003 and now unites over 2000 members from all artistic branches of German film.

The German Film Academy is entrusted with the implementation of the German Film Prize, is the organizer of the First Steps award for young filmmakers, promotes the examination of film as an art form in the context of schools and extracurricular activities within the framework of its educational programs, is the initiator of the series of events "My Film", the "Film Festival" and the "Film Festival".It is the initiator of the event series My Film, the workshop discussions, the podcast Close Up and many other activities that promote the exchange and discussion of filmmaking in Germany and Europe from both an artistic and an economic point of view.

The German Film Academy - the central forum for filmmakers in Germany - is an independent, non-profit association financed exclusively by membership fees and donations. The promotion of young talent and social and film-political commitment play a major role in our statutory objectives.

Funding criteria

Included in the selection are outstanding graduation films by students of film schools in German-speaking countries. Graduates of film schools and similar educational institutions in German-speaking countries are eligible to participate. In principle, participation in the competition is only possible once. Bachelor's degrees can therefore only be submitted if no Master's degree is planned. After consultation, films can be submitted in individual cases whose directors have not attended a film-specific course of study and are not older than 35 years.In exceptional cases, graduates may submit another film made during the same period of time instead of their formal thesis. The program management decides on such exceptions in consultation with juries and organizers. Winners of the German Film Award for Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography can no longer participate in the FIRST STEPS Awards competition.

Application type

by e-mail

Application procedure/documents

The following documents must be submitted by e-mail for the different categories:

NO FEAR Award for Production Graduates*:

• Application form
• a downloadable viewing link of the graduation film
• Financing plan (including details of funding, co-producer sponsorship) and final cost status
• field report (max. 4 pages)

Michael Ballhaus Award for camera graduates:

• Application form
• downloadable viewing link of the graduation film,
• a report (max. 1 page)

FIRST STEPS Screenplay Award:

• most recent version of the screenplay (as well as, in the case of a series project, additionally the series bible) digital
• Directors who have written the screenplay for their graduation film can submit either their film or their screenplay.

Jury/Decision-making body

The nomination and awarding of prizes is decided by three independent juries of experts (feature film, documentary film, commercial film, screenplay), who nominate up to five films in each category. All nominated filmmakers are invited to the award ceremony.

Funded by

German Film Academy e.V.

Funding area

State of Berlin, Germany

Funding source of the institution

other