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Film und Medien Stiftung NRW➝News➝Press➝The Baumi Script Development Award is entering the second round. The application deadline is October 15th, 2016

The Baumi Script Development Award is entering the second round. The application deadline is October 15th, 2016

  • Pandora and Filmstiftung are launching the second call for entries of the Development Award, which is endowed with 20.000 euros in prize money.
  • Submissions under baumi-award.com
  • This year’s guest judge is the Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki

Düsseldorf, September 15, 2016. Submission deadline for the second Baumi Script Development Award is October 15, 2016. The Development Award of 20.000 euros was established in 2015 to honor film producer and distributor Karl “Baumi“ Baumgartner by Martina and Sandra Baumgartner, Pandora Film, which was co-founded by Baumi, and the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW. The Award pays tribute to Karl Baumgartner’s distinct sense for high-quality art house cinema and is meant to support the free and independent script development of extraordinary, international, cinematic stories.

German and international screenwriters can apply online under baumi-award.com until October 15, 2016. Authors are required to have had at least one screenplay produced; emerging authors must submit their applications together with a production company. A treatment must be submitted in English. The prize money is earmarked. The award ceremony will be held during the 2017 Berlinale.

The winner of the first Baumi Award 2016 is the Egyptian filmmaker Omar El Zohairy for his project “Feathers of a Father“. With this project El Zohairy was subsequently selected for the Cannes Film Festival’s Cinéfondation Residence program.

This year’s jury includes Martina Baumgartner, Reinhard Brundig (Pandora Film) and Petra Müller (Film- und Medienstiftung NRW) as permanent members as well as an annually changing guest judge. Last year Fatih Akin took over this role. In the current round Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki will complete the jury.

"The first round was a great experience for the jury: Project ideas from all continents, politically and socially relevant topics and very creative execution ideas. It showed us all how inspirational Baumi’s vision still is today for young filmmakers”, said Petra Müller, managing director of the Filmstiftung NRW. “We’re looking forward to many more exceptional stories in the second round, and of course to Aki Kaurismäki.“

“Kaurismäki’s films are as inimitable as he is. They tell their particular stories with clear images and sparse, dry dialogue. Humor and melancholy uniquely blend. 30 years ago his collaboration with Pandora film began with “Shadows in Paradise”, and a deep friendship with Baumi developed. “We are very happy to have Aki Kaurismäki join us this year as guest judge”, said Reinhard Brundig, co-founder of Pandora Film.