Silver Bear for Sandra Hüller in “Rose”
Great jubilation at the Berlinale: Sandra Hüller was awarded the Silver Bear for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the FMS-funded production “Rose.”
FMS-funded films also made a strong impression in the Panorama section: Faraz Shariat ’s feature film *Staatsschutz* received threeawardsfrom independent juries at the Berlinale. *Staatsschutz* received the Heiner Carow Prize, the CICAE ART Cinema Award (Panorama), and the 28th Panorama Audience Award. With the Panorama Audience Award, the festival annually honors the most popular film in the Panorama section—a strong indication of its great resonance with audiences. The CICAE ART Cinema Award is presented by the international arthouse cinema community and supports the worldwide theatrical release of the winning film. The Heiner Carow Prize honors works that demonstrate a particularly humanistic outlook and artistic vision.
Narciso was also honored in the Panorama section and won the FIPRESCI Jury Prize (International Federation of Film Critics). The award underscores the film’s special international recognition among film critics.
“The Silver Bear for *Rose* is an outstanding achievement and underscores the international appeal of the productions we support. It also symbolizes the artistic depth and uncompromising dedication that allow a film to shine long after the moment has passed. At the heart of this success lies the extraordinary acting of Sandra Hüller. With a performance of rare intensity and subtle emotional authenticity, she imbues Rose with a power that lingers long after the film ends. Her nuanced, courageous, and at the same time deeply human performance carries the film and makes it a powerful experience—proof of just how much great acting can form the heart of a work. At the same time, the awards for *Staatsschutz* and *Narciso* demonstrate just how powerful, relevant, and artistically distinctive the projects we support in North Rhine-Westphalia are.“We warmly congratulate the producers, directors, and the entire teams on this extraordinary success. Their courage, creative precision, and dedication make these films something special,” said Walid Nakschbandi, Executive Director of the Film and Media Foundation NRW.
With a total of eleven productions funded by the Film Foundation, North Rhine-Westphalia was prominently represented at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival. Two films premiered in the competition, while other productions were invited to the Berlinale Special Gala, Panorama, and Retrospective.