Two European Film Awards for the Filmstiftung-backed productions "Berlin Alexanderplatz" and "Undine"

• Paula Beer receives the 'European Actress 2020' statuette for her performance in "Undine"
• Dascha Dauenhauer awarded 'European Original Score 2020' for "Berlin Alexanderplatz"

The finale of the 33rd European Film Awards (EFA) came to a close on Saturday evening (12 December) in a live virtual awards ceremony from Berlin. Paula Beer received the 'European Actress 2020' statuette for her acting performance in Christian Petzold’s Filmstiftung-backed romantic drama "Undine". In a live hook-up, the actress thanked the European Film Academy for the award.

The European Film Awards (EFAs) were presented this year in a series of virtual evening events from December 8 – 12 as "The EFAs at Eight" casting a spotlight on the nominees and winners of various categories of the 2020 European Film Awards. The composer Dascha Dauenhauer had received the European Film Award in the category "European Original Score" for her score for "Berlin Alexanderplatz" on December 9.

"Congratulations to the wonderful actress Paula Beer and composer Dascha Dauenhauer for their European Film Awards! 'Undine' and 'Berlin Alexanderplatz' are among the highlights of German cinema in this difficult year and we are delighted that they also captivated the European film community," Petra Müller, CEO of the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, said. "The presentation of the awards – despite the adverse circumstances for cinema across Europe – is an important signal for filmmakers and all film lovers. We thank the European Film Academy for a very emotional awards ceremony and, in particular, extend thanks to Marion Döring and Wim Wenders for their tremendous dedication to European cinema. Farewell and thank you from the bottom of our hearts!"

Agnieszka Holland will become the new president of the European Film Academy as the successor to Wim Wenders. Matthijs Wouter Knol, formerly directot head of the Berlinale’s European Film Market (EFM), will be taking from Marion Döring as the EFA’s Managing Director as of January 1, 2021.

The awards ceremony was broadcast live from Berlin and was not held in Reykjavik as originally planned due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Presenter Steven Gätjen hosted the evening, supported by Marion Döring and Wim Wenders, who are both stepping down at the end of the year after 32 and 24 years, respectively. In addition to numerous colleagues from the industry, German Chancellor Angela Merkel also sent a video message thanking both of them for their services to European cinema. More than 3,800 EFA members vote each year on the highlights of European cinema in a total of 23 categories.

About the films

„Berlin Alexanderplatz“
The film’s record is already a very impressive one: „Berlin Alexanderplatz“ celebrated its world premiere in this year’s International Competition of the 70th Berlin International Film Festival. It also picked up five Lolas at the German Film Awards in April, including the Film Award in Silver as Best Feature Film. Director Burhan Qurbani co-wrote the screenplay for the new interpretation of Alfred Döblin’s world-famous novel with Martin Behnke. The production by Sommerhaus Filmproduktion as a co-production with Lemming Film (NL) and in association with the broadcasters ZDF and Arte was supported by the Filmstiftung with 250,000 Euros, with additional backing coming from MBB, MFG, FFA, BKM, DFFF, and Eurimages. The cast including Welket Bungué, Albrecht Schuch, Jella Haase, Joachim Król, Anabelle Mandeng and Richard Fouofié Djimeli also shot in NRW. Entertainment One Germany released „Berlin Alexanderplatz“ in the German cinemas, and Beta Cinema has been handling international sales.

„Undine“
Christian Petzold directed „Undine“ from his own screenplay, with the majority of the film’s shoot in NRW and Berlin. The cast includes Paula Beer, Jacob Matschenz and Franz Rogowski. The co-production between Schramm Film Koerner & Weber and Les Films du Losagne was made in association with the broadcasters ZDF and Arte, with Piffl Medien serving as distributor. Backing for the film came from MBB, FFA, BKM and DFFF, with the Filmstiftung providing 180,000 Euros support. Paula Beer was awarded the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 70th Berlinale. „Undine“ was also presented with this year’s FIPRESCI Critics' Prize („International Competition“) in Berlin.

The European Film Awards have been presented by the European Film Academy since 1988. More information at europeanfilmawards.eu