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    VERA is the Austrian entry for Best International Feature Film

    Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel’s VERA, starring Vera Gemma, is the Austrian entry to the 2024 Oscar race for Best International Feature Film. Inspired by the life of actress Vera Gemma, the film interweaves the portrait of a glamourous woman with the merciless social realities of a big city.
    VERA, winner of the Best Film and Best Actress award at the Venice Orizzonti competition, has so far attended over 50 festivals and garnered more than ten prestigious international and national awards.

    TORONTO 2023 with world premiere of Elisabeth Scharang’s WOODLAND


    The 48th TIFF (September 7 to 17) will host the world premiere of Elisabeth Scharang’s new Film WOODLAND starring Brigitte Hobmeier as Marian who, driven by an inevitable impulse, leaves her city life and returns to her childhood place.
     
    WOODLAND, produced by WEGA Film Vienna, is part of the prestigious Centrepiece line-up (previously known as the Contemporary World Cinema program)


    Austrian films at international festivals

    Participations October 2023

    Austrian films on international screens

    Theatrical releases
    October 2016 – June 2023

    Award Winners 2023

    Awards + Nominations
    starting in January 2023

    Austrian Focus at the 29th SARAJEVO Film Festival


    It’s a festival summer with Austrian filmmaking in focus: After Jerusalem in July, it’s now the 29th Sarajevo FF (August 11 to 18) to shine a light on films made in Austria:

    Sudabeh Mortezai’s new film EUROPA will celebrate its world premiere in the Heart of Sarajevo competition. Jessica Hausner will be the tribute guest 2023 presenting all her six feature films. The Industry Days will host an Austrian delegation and one project selected at the CineLink co-production platform.
     

    Locarno 23: VISTA MARE at Semaine de la Critique


    Julia Gutweniger and Florian Kofler’s new film VISTA MARE – perspicacious observations on those who work for those who crowd the Italian beaches for a short summer break –  will celebrate its world premiere at the Locarno Semaine de la Critique  (4-11 August)

    Two Austrian projects – CALM by Sara Fattahi, MILA / MARIJA by Andrina Mračnikar – are selected by Alliance 4 Development.

    Austrian Focus at the 40th JERUSALEM Film Festival

    JFF40 – the anniversary edition of this year’s JFF sets a focus on Austrian filmmakers and industry. 
    On the festival screens: CLUB ZERO, SPARTA and VERA.
    In the jury: Barbara Albert and Sebastian Meise.
    And meeting events for Austrian industry delegate at the Jerusalem Industry Days.
     
    We talked to Elad Samorzik, the Artistic Director of the JFF.

    Jessica Hausner’s CLUB ZERO in Palme d’or Competition

    Jessica Hausner’s 6th fiction feature is a Palme d’or competition entry at the 76th Cannes festival (May 16 to 27). CLUB ZERO, starring Mia Wasikowska and Sidse Babett Knudsen, produced by Vienna-based coop99 filmproduktion, is celebrating its world premiere on Monday, May 22.

    This is Jessica Hausner's  6th artistic appearance in Cannes after LITTLE JOE (2019, Best Actress Emily Beecham), AMOUR FOU (2014), HOTEL (2004), LOVELY RITA (2001) and her short INTER-VIEW (1999).

    FEMINISM WTF by Katharina Mückstein at CPH:DOX

    World premiere of Kathrina Mückstein’s new documentary selected in Special Premieres at the 20th CPH:DOX festival (March 15 to 26). This colorful view on the intersectional facets of feminism was produced by LaBanda Filmproduktion and NGF Nikolaus Geyrhalter Filmproduktion.
    Also screening at CPH:DOX: A LITTLE LOVE PACKAGE by Gastón Solnicki, VERA by Tizza Covi & Rainer Frimmel, ZOO LOCK DOWN by Andreas Horvath and MATTER OUT OF PLACE by Nikolaus Geyrhalter.

    THE KLEZMER PROJECT wins Berlinale Best First Feature Award

    Leandro Koch and Paloma Schachmann’s feature debut THE KLEZMER PROJECT, a Berlinale Encounters entry, wins the GWFF Best First Feature Award.
    … an unexpected journey weaving real life events and mysticism… stated the jury
     
    The documentary voyage from Argentina to Eastern Europa in quest of a music which is in a constant state of flux was produced by Austrian Nabis Filmgroup

    photo directors: Berlinale

    Austrian Films @Berlinale 2023

    Encounters
    THE KLEZMER PROJECT | ADENTRO MÍO ESTOY BAILANDO
    by Leandro Koch & Paloma Schachmann
    World Premiere: Feb 23 | 16.30 | Akademie der Künste

    Panorama
    STAMS by Bernhard Braunstein
    World Premiere: Feb 19 | 13:00 | International

    See full list

    Austrian Films at the
    73rd Berlinale

    Discover a great Austrian presence  at the 73rd Berlinale (February 16 to 26) including
    world premieres
    Encounters
    THE KLEZMER PROJECT by Leandro Koch, Paloma Schachmann
    WP: February 24, 16:30, Akademie der Künste
    Panorama
    STAMS by Bernhard Braunstein
    WP: February 19, 13:00, Kino International

    © photo premiere STAMS: Elsa Okazaki
    © photos premiere THE KLEZMER PROJECT: @filmsboutique

    Bernhard Braunstein's STAMS selected by Berlinale Panorama

    The Berlinale has unveiled the first titles of its 73rd edition (February 16 to 26, 2023). BErnhard Braunstein's new documentary is among these first picks. STAMS, a portrait of Austria's renowned boarding school for future ski champions has been selected by the Berlinale Panorama. STAMS is a Panama Films production.

    Vicky Krieps is European Actress 2022


    We’re proud and thrilled to share the awesome news! Vicky Krieps takes this top distinction for her superb interpretation of the Austrian Empress Elisabeth in Marie Kreutzer’s CORSAGE.

    Congrats to Vicky Krieps, to the director of CORSAGE Marie Kreutzer and the whole team of this outstanding production!

    Austrian Focus at the
    14th LES ARCS Film Festival


    The 14th International Film Festival LES ARCS (December 10 to 17) dedicates this year’s focus to Austrian filmmaking with
    • feature and short films from Austria in the Competition and the other festival sections
    • new projects from Austria in the Industry Village
    • with a strong presence of filmmakers from Austria in a compact and targeted European network meeting for production and exploitation
     

    European Film Awards 2022: Nominations for CORSAGE and SONNE


    The EFA nominations confirm the exceptional film year 2022  for Austrian cinema and its women directors: Marie Kreutzer’s Cannes-laureate CORSAGE is in the race for European Film | European Director | European Actress; the Berlinale Best First Feature Film SONNE by Kurdwin Ayub is nominated for European Discovery. Winners will be announced on December 10, 2022.

    San Sebastián with SPARTA, CORSAGE and MUTZENBACHER

    The San Sebastián IFF is hosting the world premiere of Ulrich Seidl's SPARTA in its Golden Shell competition, the second part of Seidl's brother diptych (together with RIMINI). Also invited – two of our highly performing festival faves 2022 – CORSAGE by Marie Kreutzer and MUTZENBACHER by Ruth Beckermann who will also be holding a masterclass.

    Double triumph for VERA and EISMAYR in Venice


    Best Directors Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel, Best Actress Vera Gemma – that’s the awesome verdict of the Orrizonti 2022 jury announced for VERA on the closing night of the 79th Venice Film Festival.
    First time director David Wagner took the IWONDERFULL Grand Prize of the Settimana della Critica for his debut EISMAYER.

    CORSAGE is the Austrian entry for Best International Feature Film

    Marie Kreutzer’s CORSAGE, starring Vicky Krieps, is the Austrian entry to the Oscar race for Best International Feature Film. Vicky Krieps is the winner of the Best Actress Award at Cannes Un Certain Regard and the Heart of Sarajevo for her outstanding performance in the role of Empress Elisabeth.

    Locarno 75:
    MATTER OUT OF PLACE
    wins Pardo Verde

    The first Pardo Verde WWF, a newly launched initiative by the Locarno IFF and the WWF for outstanding films tackling environmental issues, went to Nikolaus Geyrhalter’s stunning essay on our growing amounts of garbage.
     
    Ruth Mader’s SERVIAM – I WILL SERVE, also a contender of the Locarno 75 International Competition, took one of the Junior Jury Awards.

    Venice 2022 with
    VERA by Covi & Frimmel and
    EISMAYER by David Wagner

    Reality and fiction merge and collide in both Austrian entries at the 79th Venice Film Festival (August 31 to September 10):
    • VERA by Tizza Covi & Rainer Frimmel is invited to the Orizzonti Competition
    • EISMAYER, directorial debut by David Wagner, is  part of the Settimana della Critca selection

    Ulrich Seidl’s SPARTA in competition for Golden Shell

    The 70th San Sebastián IFF (September 16 to 24) has unveiled its competiton line-up including Ulrich Seidl’s SPARTA in the Golden Shell competition. SPARTA, with Austrian actor Georg Friedrich in the lead, completes Ulrich Seidl’s brother diptych; its first part RIMINI was a Golden Bear contender earlier this year.
     

    SARAJEVO 2022 with 3 Austrian films in competition

    Marie Kreutzer’s CORSAGE and Ruth Mader’s SERVIAM – I WILL SERVE, both released at top festivals this spring and summer, will also be vying for the Heart of Sarajevo. Thomas Fürhapter’s LIVING TOGETHER is a contender in the Documentary competion. Ulrich Seid’s Golden Bear entry RIMINI will be presented In Focus.

    Locarno 2022: Ruth Mader and Nikolaus Geyrhalter vying for Golden Leopard

    Two strong Austrian voices are to present their highly anticipated new films:
    MATTER OUT OF PLACE by Nikolaus Geyrhalter who provides stunning observations on waste on a global scale
    SERVIAM – I WILL SERVE by Ruth Mader who tackles the question of faith in her thriller set in an all-girl Catholic boarding school
     
    Both films are contenders of the Pardo d’oro International Competition

    KARLOVY VARY 2022
    with eight films
    made in Austria


    Discover the fabulous Austrian presence at the 56th KARLOVY VARY IFF (July 1 to 9, 2022) kviff, with no less than seven feature length and one short film on the screens. A line-up including Leni Lauritsch’ Sci-Fi directorial debut RUBIKON that will make its first festival appearance between two major releases in the US and UK.

    Tribeca 2022 with newcomers Clara Stern and Peter Hengl

    Two Austrian directorial debuts are celebrating their world premiere at the Tribeca Festival 2022 (June 8 to 19): Clara Stern's BREAKING THE ICE in Viewpoints and Peter Hengl's FAMILY DINNER in Midnight:

    inaugurating the start of a promising career.
    Cineuropa on BREAKING THE ICE

    Another moody and unsettling Austrian chiller
    indiewire on FAMILY DINNER

    LUX Audience Award goes to QUO VADIS, AIDA?

    Jasmila Žbanić' harrowing drama based on the tragedy of Srebrenica in July 1995 is the winner of the 2022 LUX European Audience Film Award. QUO VADIS, AIDA?  – a European co-production including nine countries – was co-produced by Vienna-based coop99 filmprodution with a major financial and creative input from Austria. Cannes-winner GREAT FREEDOM by Sebastian Meise was also among the three films selected for the final run of the LUX audience Award.

    Un Certain Regard:
    Best Performance Prize to
    Vicky Krieps


    Marie Kreutzer and her terrific leading actress Vicky Krieps have set Cannes abuzz. Vicky Krieps wins the Un Certain Regard BEST PERFORMANCE Prize for her outstanding work in the role Elisabeth from Austria in Marie Kreutzer’s CORSAGE. The filmwas also awarded for Best Creative Sound Design.
    DE – EN

    CORSAGE: rave reviews from the Croisette


    A playful and puckish portrait by Marie Kreutzer
    Screen Daily

    a standout
    Variety

    Krieps gives an exhilaratingly fierce, uningratiating performance.
    The Guardian

    Austrian films @Cannes 2022


    Un Certain Regard:
    CORSAGE by Marie Kreutzer.
    May 20 | 11:00 | Debussy

    Producers on the Move:
    JOHANNES SCHUBERT
    May 19 – 23

    Marché du Film – Frontières:
    REQUIEM FOR A ROBOT by Chris Rainer
    Proof of Concept on May 21

    Marie Kreutzer’s CORSAGE at Cannes

    We’re so thrilled that Marie Kreutzer’s film is part of the prestigious Cannes Sélection Officielle and celebrates its world premiere at Un Certain Regard. CORSAGE, starring Vicky Krieps in the role of Austrian empress Elisabeth, was produced by Austrian Film AG in co-production with Samsa Film (LUX), Komplizen Film (D) and Kazak Productions (F). International sales are handled by: MK2

    Strong Austrian line-up at DOK.fest MUNICH

    We are pleased that Austrian documentary film is present at DOK Munich this year in all its rich diversity: SECOND THOUGHTS FIRST by Marko Doringer celebrates its world premiere at DOK:panorama, ALICE SCHWARZER by Sabine Derflinger and LIVING TOGETHER by Thomas Fürhapter their international premieres in DOK.Deutsch. Also screening: ALPENLAND by Robert Schabus (Münchner Premieren), FOR THE MANY by Constantin Wulff (Best of Fests) and SOLDAT AHMET by Jannis Lenz (DOK.international).

    BREAKING THE ICE and FAMILY DINNER at Tribeca

    Great news from NYC: Two Austrian directorial debuts will enter the festival scene at the Tribeca Film Festival (June 8 to 19): BREAKING THE ICE by Clara Stern in Viewpoints, Peter Hengl’s FAMILY DINNER has been selected a Midnight entry.

    GREAT FREEDOM and QUO VADIS, AIDA nominated for LUX Audience Award

    Two out of three films selected for the LUX Audience Award 2022 are Austrian co-productions: GREAT FREEDOM by Sebastian Meise and QUO VADIS, AIDA by Jasmila Žbanić. The prize established by the European Parliament as a sign for its commitment to culture is an international audience award. Film lovers from all over Europe are invited until May 25 to vote for their favourite.
     

    Two major Berlinale awards to SONNE and MUTZENBACHER

    We’re full of pride and joy: Kurdwin Ayub’s directorial debut SONNE wins the GFF Best First Feature Award. This films stands out among 18 first features selected throughout the different Berlinale sections, the prize is endowed with € 50,000.
    Ruth Beckermann is once again a Berlinale laureate. The winner of the Berlinale Documentary Award 2018,  takes the Best Film Award at the Encounters competition for her new documentary MUTZENBACHER.

    Austrian films @Berlinale 2022

    Golden Bear Competition: RIMINI by Ulrich Seidl, Feb 11 | 22:00 | Berlinale Palast
    Encounters:
    A LITTLE LOVE PACKAGE by Gastón Solnicki, Feb 14 | 18:00 | CinemaxX 7
    MUTZENBACHER by Ruth Beckermann, 
    Feb 13 | 18:00 | CinemaxX 7
    SONNE by Kurdwin Ayub,  Feb 12 | 21:30 | CinemaxX 7
    Forum: FOR THE MANY – THE VIENNA CHAMBER OF LABOUR by Constantin Wulff Feb 11| 17:30 | Delphi

    Five world premieres at the 72nd Berlinale

    Five Austrian Films celebrated their worldpremiere, respectively in the Golden Bear competition, the Encounters competition and the Forum: RIMINI by Ulrich Seidl, SONNE by Kurdwin Ayub, MUTZENBACHER by Ruth Beckermann, A LITTLE LOVE PACKAGE by Gastón Solnicki, FOR THE MANY by Constantin Wulff.

    Directors and teams met the audience in cinemas and earned remarkable reviews by the international press. We've got an overview on this website

    MUTZENBACHER and FOR THE MANY nominated for Berlinale Documentary Award

    The two Austrian documentary entries at the 72nd Berlinale – MUTZENBACHER by Ruth Beckermann (Encounters) and FOR THE MANY – THE VIENNA CHAMBER OF LABOUR by Constantin Wulff (Forum) are among the 18 documentaries selected across all sections for the prestigious documentary award. With her prior documentary WALDHEIM’S WALTZ Ruth Beckermann won the Berlinale Documentary Award already in 2018.

    MONEYBOYS sweeps three awards at the MOP festival Saarbrücken

    Max Ophüls Prize for Best Feature Film and Best Screenplay as well as the Prize of the ecumenical jury. That's the awesome outcome for C.B. Yi's feature debut MONEYBOYS at the 43rd Max Ophüls Prize festival Saarbrücken. "MONEYBOYS is an existential, queer and at the same time universal film about love."

    Award winners 2022

    Awards + Nominations
    starting in January 2022

    GREAT FREEDOM on Oscar shortlist

    The Academy Awards have revealed a first pre-selection for Best International Feature Film at the 2022 Oscars. Austria’s entry GREAT FREEDOM by Sebastian Meise is one of the contenders on this year’s shortlist for Best International Feature Film featuring 15 films in total.

    Thrilling results at European Film Awards 2021

    To the wonderful outcome for Sebastian Meise's GREAT FREEDOM – European Cinematographer, European Original Score, nominations for European Actor and University Award adds the thrilling news that QUO VADIS, AIDA? by Jasmila Žbanić, strongly supported by Vienna-based coop99 filmproduktion, Austrian funding and creative input from Austrian artists took three major awards:  European Film 2021 · European Director Jasmila Žbanić · European Actress Jasna Ðurčić.

    European Film Awards 2021: Two Excellence Awards for GREAT FREEDOM

    The European Film Academy has announced the Excellence Awards 2021, two of them went to outstanding artists who were part of the GREAT FREEDOM team: Crystel Fournier wins European Cinematography, Nils Petter & Peter Brötzmann European Original Score. On top of that, Sebastian Meise’s film is nominated for European for Best Actor (Franz Rogowski) and European University Film Award. Also in the race is the European co-production QUO VADIS, AIDA by Jasmila Žbanić, co-produced by Vienna-based coop99 filmproduktion, with nominations  in four categories.

    MONEYBOYS wins two awards at Cineuropa Compostela

    MONEYBOYS director C.B. Yi  takes the Best Director Award at the Cineuropa Compostela festival for an outstanding film that represents homosexuality with great sensitivity and warmth. And on top of that, the new jury honored the Cannes-entry with its Best Film award  for its brilliant aesthetic, playful images that show us a cruel and marginal reality, in which one tries to survive without losing dignity.

    Chéries Cheris Paris honors GREAT FREEDOM

    The closing night of the Chéries Chéris festival was completely under the sign of films from Austria: Serial winner GREAT FREEDOM by Sebastian Meise took the Gran Prix and the screening of MONEYBOYS by C.B. Yi brought the hip Paris LGBTQI festival to a close. Evi Romen's feature debut WHY NOT YOU was also part of the Cheries Cheris line-up.

    MONEYBOYS: Awards from Spain to Hawaii

    It is a wonderful sign of how young Austrian filmmaking is radiating around the world: C.B. Yi's powerful feature debut MONEYBOYS (a Cannes Un Certain Regard entry in 2021) took two awards on a single weekend: one in Spain, the other one in Hawaii. MONEYBOYS is the winner of the Rambal Award at the Gijón Film Festival and receives an Honorable Mention in the competition for emerging directors at the Hawaii film festival.

    Tallinn DDA Spotlight Award to GREAT FREEDOM

    It's award n° 10 on top of numerous nominations for prestigious prizes to come. Sebastian Meise's widely acclaimed drama GREAT FREEDOM won the DDA Spotlight Award at the 25th Tallinn Black Nights Festival

    Sitges Fantastic Film Festival: Double win for LUZIFER

    The Sitges Fantastic Film Festival (oct. 7-17) honors the two leading actors of Peter Brunner's LUZIFER: Susanne Jensen and Frank Rogowski won the awards for Best Female Performance and Best Male Performance at one of the world's foremost fantasy and horror film festivals.

    Young Audience Award to FOX IN A HOLE

    The Youth Jury of the 17th Augenblick Festival in Strasbourg picked Arman T. Riahi's drama set in a juvenile detention center as its favourite. With this Young Audience Award FOX IN A HOLE resumes its successful festival itinerary more than one year after its world premiere.

    MONEYBOYS: Best Film at LesGaiCineMadrid

    C.B. Yi feature debut MONEYBOYS stands out as Best Film at the 26th LesGaiCineMad, the international LGBT festival in Madrid. The jury stated, An impeccable proposal that manages to combine raw realism with visual poetics that reveals a firm narrative pulse.

    HINTERLAND: Best Screenplay at Fancine FF Málaga

    The Fancine Fantastic Film Festival of the University of Málaga awards HINTERLAND with the prize for Best Screenplay. The hunt for an obsessed serial killer set in a desolate Vienna a couple of years after the end of WW1 was written by Hanno Pinter and Robert Buchschwenter in collaboration with the film's director Stefan Ruzowitzky.

    GREAT FREEDOM: Best Feature Film at Zagreb IFF

    The  jury of the Zagreb IFF awards Sebastian Meise's EFA nominee GREAT FREEDOM as Best Feature Film, stating the following: Through the language of cinema, this movie expresses the ability of the human spirit to transcend physical confinement. The film asks the question “what freedom is and can we create our own”. The two unlikely heroes show us how to find love even in the worst moments of our recent history.

    FOX IN A HOLE sweeps four awards on one weekend

    Arman T. Riahi's vibrant drama set in a juvenile detention center won the Golden Beaver for Best Film and the Special Prize for Best Film Music at the Biberach IFF. On top of that, the German Günter Rohrbach-Foundation honored leading actress Maria Hofstätter as Best Actress and FOX IN A HOLE- director Arman T. Riahii with the Saarland Medien GmbH Award.

    Honorable Mention to MONEYBOYS

    The feature debut and Cannes Un Certain Regard-entry MONEYBOYS by C.B. Yi receives an honorable mention at the Bergen International Film Festival (October 20 to 28).

    Two Audience Awards to GREAT FREEDOM

    European Film Award nominee GREAT FREEDOM was the Audience favourite at the Queerstreifen Film Festival Regensburg as well as at Biberach International Film Festival.

    Hofer Filmtage 2021: International premiere of ANOTHER COIN FOR THE MERRY-GO-ROUND

    Hannes Starz’ feature debut ANOTHER COIN FOR THE MERRY-GO-ROUND starring Valerie Pachner and Voodoo Jürgens celebrates its international premiere at the 55th Internationale Filmtage Hof. Also screening at the Hof festival: SARGNAGEL – DER FILM by Sabine Hiebler & Gerhard Ertl and the short films EVEN DEATH IN MY ARMS IS BEAUTIFUL by Jannis Lenz and Paul Poet’s short doc on Christoph Schlingensief ATTABAMBI SCHEISSMICHAN.

    Oscars 2022: GREAT FREEDOM is the Austrian candidate for Best International Feature Film

    The Cannes winner (Jury Prize Un Certain Regard) GREAT FREEDOM by Sebastian Meise has been selected to enter the 2022 Oscar race for Best International Feature Film. Since its world premiere at Cannes the film has been collecting award after award on a dense festival circuit. It is part of the pre-selection for the European Film Award 2021 and will be released in the US by MUBI in early 2022.

    BREAD wins Pelicam Audience Award

    Harald Friedl's documentary BREAD, produced by Navigatorfilm,  wins the Audience Award at the 10th Pelicam International Environmental Film Festival in Romania.

    Fantastic Fest 2021:  Franz Rogowski awarded Best Actor

    The most renowned US genre film festival in Austin/Texas, the Fantastic Fest (Sept 23 to 30) has bestowed the Best Actor Award on Franz Rogowski for his outstanding performances in two competition entries:  LUZIFER by Peter Brunner and FREAKS OUT  by Gabriele Mainetti. In LUZIFER Rogowski plays a young man, barely mastering the spoken word, who lives in the mountains closely tied to his mother and in a very tight relationship to nature.

    World premiere of CHASING THE LINE at Zurich Film Festival

    Franz Klammer’s historic Olympic downhill race of 1976 revived on the big screen: a gala night will be dedicated to the world premiere of Andreas Schmied’s vibrant CHASING THE LINE at the 17th ZFF. Another gala screening for Annecy entry WELCOME TO SIEGHEILKIRCHEN and two contenders to the Fokus competition – GREAT FREEDOM and ROOM WITHOUT A VIEW – add to a strong Austrian presence at this year’s Zurich Film Festival (Sept 23 to Oct. 3)

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