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Film und Medien Stiftung NRWNewsPress„Toni Erdmann“ is Germany’s Oscar candidate!

„Toni Erdmann“ is Germany’s Oscar candidate!

  • An independent jury of German Films took its decision last night
  • Maren Ade’s exceptional film enters the race for the Best Foreign Language Feature Film Oscar
  • Oscar nominations on 24 January, 2017, Oscars ceremony on 26 February, 2017
  • 450,000 admissions in Germany after six weeks on general release

The exceptional Filmstiftung-backed production „Toni Erdmann“ by Maren Ade is the German candidate in the category for "Best Foreign Language Feature Film" for the 2017 Oscars. This was decided last night by an independent jury appointed by German Films. German Films will now submit the film as the German entry to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

„The incredible success story of 'Toni Erdmann' continues. Unlike any other film, it has delighted both critics and audiences, and now Maren Ade’s exceptional film is also entering the Oscar race. How wonderful!“, says Petra Müller, CEO of the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW. „We are also delighted because the Filmstiftung was able to accompany the making of this film from the very outset. We congratulate Maren Ade and her team and cross our fingers for the official nomination in January!“

The jury justified its decision by explaining that „Toni Erdmann“ had primarily stood out among the eight submissions because of its “resolute artistic signature”. “A bold and stylistically confident cinematic display of character on the pulse of the times”. Maren Ade manages “to turn 160 minutes of film into a humourous, unmasking stroll through the nuances of a father-daughter relationship. Universal topics like social isolation and the challenge of interpersonal integrity are skillfully dissected. Touching, evocative, implementing societal questions, and an unswerving artistic clarity. Just as modern international cinema should be!"

„Toni Erdmann“ was the first German film for eight years to celebrate its world premiere in the Competition of the Cannes Film Festival last May, being acclaimed by the audience, critics and industry alike. The film won the prestigious International Film Critics Prize FIPRESCI there. Since the world premiere in Cannes, the Cologne-based sales agent The Match Factory has sold the comedy now to almost 100 countries, including all of North and South America, Russia, China or the European key territories like France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia and the UK.

In Germany, „Toni Erdmann“ has posted over 450,000 admissions in the first six weeks on general release. Since its world premiere in Cannes, „Toni Erdmann“ was, among other things, the opening film of the Filmfest München, screened in the programme of the Sarajevo Film Festival and was nominated for the 2016 LUX Film Prize. Moreover, the film will be shown in September as a Special Presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival and can then be seen at the New York Film Festival. In addition, „Toni Erdmann“ will receive the 2016 FIPRESCI Grand Prix on 16 September during the San Sebastian Film Festival.

„Toni Erdmann“ is a production of Komplizen Film in co-production with coop99Filmproduktion and Missing Link Films. SWR, WDR and ARTE participated in the production as broadcasters. Part of the film was shot in Aachen, and Bucharest was another location. The Film- und Medienstiftung is the main funder with 785,000 Euros, with additional support coming from MBB, FFHSH, FFF, DFFF, FFA, BKM, ÖFI, Filmstandort Austria, MEDIA and Eurimages.

The German candidate for the so-called 'Foreign Oscar' was named by an independent jury which convened in Munich on the instigation of German Films. The selection committee consisted of representatives from eight different trade associations and institutions active in the field of Cinema.

The nominations for the 89th Oscars will be announced on 24 January, 2017, with the awards ceremony then following on 26 February, 2017 in the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

For further information: Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Tanja Güß, Tel.: 0211-93050-24, presse@filmstiftung.de