The Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival (
German: Internationales Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg), often referred to by the German-language
initialismIFFMH, is an annual
film festival established in 1952 hosted jointly by the cities of
Mannheim and
Heidelberg in
Baden-Württemberg, the southwest region of
Germany.
The festival focuses on
arthouse and
auteur cinema produced by international newcomer directors, and historically it served as a springboard for many experimental filmmakers from cinemas that have been overlooked by Western audiences. It is the second-oldest film festival in Germany, behind only the
Berlinale. Originally held in
Mannheim, since 1994 is co-hosted by Mannheim and Heidelberg, two neighboring cities which are less than 20 kilometers away from each other. The festival usually takes places in October or November.
The last edition, the 70th IFFMH, was held in November 2021, and the next edition is scheduled to take place on 17–27 November 2022.[1]
Background
The International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg is aimed at industry professionals as well as cinema enthusiasts, with about 300 professional participants and approximately 50,000 visitors each year, it is one of the largest film festivals in Germany.[citation needed] After several screenings there are public panel discussions with the film's representatives (e. g. directors, actors or producers).
The festival presents films of independent newcomer directors and who are internationally widely-unknown, focussing on arthouse and auteur films. The films selected must be premieres and thus films screened at
Cannes,
Locarno,
Venice and any German festival are excluded for the International Competition.
In 2010, the MANNHEIM MEETING PLACE was launched. The project succeeds the Festival's former co-production market MANNHEIM MEETINGS, focusing on the improvement of marketing opportunities of completed film projects. However, co-production meetings will still take place.
Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-Heidelberg for the best fiction feature film with a minimum length of 70 minutes.
Talent Award Mannheim-Heidelberg for the best unconventionally narrated feature film with a minimum length of 70 minutes. The prize can not be awarded ex aequo.
Special Jury Award of Mannheim-Heidelberg for a film with the minimum length of 70 minutes, or for an extraordinary performance as actor, writer, director etc. This prize can be awarded twice if required.
Special Mentions of Mannheim-Heidelberg for a memorial film or special achievements like acting, photography, music, and montage. Up to three special mentions can be awarded.
The International Film Critics Prize given by the
FIPRESCI Jury for a film of the competition.
Prize of the Ecumenical Jury given by the Ecumenical Jury for a film of the competition.
Audience Award of Mannheim-Heidelberg for the film most liked by the Festival audience, regardless of genre and length.
Recommendations of the Jury of Cinema Owners for a film of the competition which should be released theatrically in Germany.
Master of Cinema Award
In addition, since 1998 in sporadic intervals, the honorary Master of Cinema Award is issued to outstanding cineastic artist:
Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-HeidelbergIl Buco, Michelangelo Frammartino, Italy
Rainer Werner Fassbinder Award – Best ScreenplayZero Fucks Given, Julie Lecoustre and Emmanuel Marre, France/Belgium
Rainer Werner Fassbinder Award – Best Screenplay - Special MentionHaruhara-san's Recorder, Kyoshi Sugita, Japan
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeThe Sleeping Negro, Skinner Myers, USA
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryMy Night, Antoinette Boulat, France/Belgium
Award of the Student JuryThe First Fallen, Rodrigo de Oliveira, Brazil
Audience AwardThe First Fallen, Rodrigo de Oliveira, Brazil
2020
Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-HeidelbergMy Mexican Breztel, Nuria Giménez Lorang, Spain
Rainer Werner Fassbinder Award – Best ScreenplaySingle Cycle, Zhang Qi, China
Rainer Werner Fassbinder Award – Best Screenplay - Special MentionsCome Closer, Saskia Walker and Ralf Walker, Germany; Beginning, Dea Kulumbegashvili, Georgia/France
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeMy Mexican Breztel, Nuria Giménez Lorang, Spain
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryUna promessa, Gianluca and Massimiliano De Serio, Italy/France/Belgium
Prize of Ecumenical Jury - Special MentionThe Slaughterhouse, Abbas Amini, Iran
Award of the Student JuryLorelei, Sabrina Doyle, USA
Award of the Student Jury - Special MentionShithouse, Cooper Raiff, USA
Audience AwardLorelei, Sabrina Doyle, USA
2019
Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-Heidelberg (ex aequo) The Grizzlies, Miranda de Pencier, Canada; On The Roof, Jirí Mádl, Czech Republic
Talent Award Mannheim-HeidelbergUnder the Turquoise Sky, KENTARO, Japan/Mongolia
Special Award Mannheim-HeidelbergEnd of Sentence, Elfar Adalsteins, Iceland/Ireland/USA
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeUnder the Turquoise Sky, KENTARO, Japan/Mongolia
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryRona Azim's Mother, Jamshid Mahmoudi, Afghanistan/Iran
Special Mention of Mannheim-HeidelbergThe Grizzlies, Miranda de Pencier, Canada
Recommendations of the Jury of Cinema OwnersThe Grizzlies, Miranda de Pencier, Canada; On The Roof, Jirí Mádl, Czech Republic; Good Morning Son, Sharon Bar Ziv, Israel
2018
Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-HeidelbergOrange Days, Arash Lahooti, Iran
Talent Award Mannheim-HeidelbergThe Fireflies Are Gone, Sébastien Pilote, Canada
Special Award Mannheim-Heidelberg to the actor Christian Malheiros, Socrates, Brazil
Special Mention Mannheim-Heidelberg to the actress Vivian Wu, Dead Pigs, China
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeOrange Days, Arash Lahooti, Iran
Audience Award (International Competition Newcomer Films)Tazzeka, Jean-Philippe Gaud, France/Morocco
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryOrange Days, Arash Lahooti, Iran
Recommendations of the Jury of Cinema OwnersThe Fireflies Are Gone, Sébastien Pilote, Canada; Tazzeka, Jean-Philippe Gaud, France/Morocco; Orange Days by Arash Lahooti, Iran
2017
Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-HeidelbergSee you in Texas,
Vito Palmieri, Italy
Special Newcomer Award Mannheim-HeidelbergWailings in the forest,
Bagane Fiola, The Philippines
Special Achievement Award Mannheim-Heidelberg to
Sabit Kurmanbekov for the film Returnee, Kasachstan
Special Mention of Mannheim-Heidelberg to
Alejandro Andujar for the film The Watchman, Dominican Republic
Special Mention of Mannheim-Heidelberg to
Shady Srour for the screenplay to Holy Air, Israel
Special Mention of Mannheim-Heidelberg to
Cezmi Baskin for the film Murtaza, Turkey
Audience Award (International Competition Newcomer Films)Life beyond me,
Olivier Peyon, France/Uruguay
Audience Award (International Competition Newcomer Films)Zer,
Kazim Öz, Turkey/Germany
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeSeenelkäik(Mushrooming)Toomas Hussar, Estonia
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryLe Sac de Farine(The Bag of Flour)Kadija Leclere, Belgium, Morocco
Special Mention of the Ecumenical JuryW Sypialni(In a Bedroom)Tomasz Wasilewski, Poland
Recommendation of the Jury of Cinema OwnersLa Niña(The Girl)David Riker, USA/UK/Mexico; Now, Forager. A Film About Love and Fungi,
Jason Cortlund,
Julia Halperin, USA/Poland; Silent City,
Threes Anna, Netherlands/Belgium/Luxembourg
2011
Main Award of Mannheim-HeidelbergParked, by
Darragh Byrne, Ireland
Rainer Werner Fassbinder PrizeUn Cuento Chino (Chinese Take-Away),
Sebastián Borensztein, Argentina
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryBein Hashmashot (Dusk), by
Alon Zingman, Israel
Recommendations of the Jury of Cinema OwnersBein Hashmashot (Dusk),
Alon Zingman, Israel; Elle ne pleure pas, elle chante (She's not crying, she's singing),
Philippe de Pierpont, Belgium; Un Amor (One Love),
Paula Hernández, Argentina
2010
Main Award of Mannheim-Heidelberg10½, by
Daniel Grou, Canada
Rainer Werner Fassbinder PrizeXun huan zuo le (The High Life), by Zhao Dayong, China
Special Award of the International JurySiyah Beyaz (Black and White), by Ahmet Boyacioglu, Turkey
Special Mention of the International JuryAct of Dishonour, by Nelofer Pazira, Canada and Alicia Vikander for her performance in Till det som är vackert (Pure), by Lisa Langseth, Sweden
Audience AwardEva y Lola by Sabrina Farji, Argentina and Hold om mig (Hold me tight), by Kaspar Munk, Denmark
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeXun huan zuo le (The High Life), by Zhao Dayong, China
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryHold om mig (Hold me tight), by Kaspar Munk, Denmark
Recommendations ofthe Jury of Cinema OwnersTill det som är vackert (Pure), Lisa Langseth, Sweden; Win/Win, Jaap van Heusden, The Netherlands; Planes para Mañana, Juana Macías, Spain
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeCoeur Animal (Animal Heart), Séverine Cornamusaz, Switzerland
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryCoeur Animal (Animal Heart), Séverine Cornamusaz, Switzerland
Recommendations of the Jury of Cinema OwnersRetorno a Hansala (Return to Hansala), Chus Gutiérrez, Spain; (Untitled), Jonathan Parker, USA; Nurse.Fighter.Boy,
Charles Officer, Canada
2008
Main Award of Mannheim-HeidelbergLluvia (Rain), Paula Hernández, Argentina
Rainer Werner Fassbinder PrizeUn roman policier (A Police Romance), Stéphanie Duvivier, France
Special Award of the International JuryMásik Bolygó (Another Planet), Ferenc Moldoványi, Hungary
Audience AwardAmanecer de un sueño (Awaking From a Dream), Freddy Mas Franqueza, Spain
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeBorderline, Lyne Charlebois, Canada
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryBorderline, Lyne Charlebois, Canada
Recommendations of the Jury of Cinema Owners14 kilometros (14 Kilometers),
Gerardo Olivares, Spain; Borderline, Lyne Charlebois, Canada; Les murs porteurs (Cycles), Cyril Gelblat, France
The Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival (
German: Internationales Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg), often referred to by the German-language
initialismIFFMH, is an annual
film festival established in 1952 hosted jointly by the cities of
Mannheim and
Heidelberg in
Baden-Württemberg, the southwest region of
Germany.
The festival focuses on
arthouse and
auteur cinema produced by international newcomer directors, and historically it served as a springboard for many experimental filmmakers from cinemas that have been overlooked by Western audiences. It is the second-oldest film festival in Germany, behind only the
Berlinale. Originally held in
Mannheim, since 1994 is co-hosted by Mannheim and Heidelberg, two neighboring cities which are less than 20 kilometers away from each other. The festival usually takes places in October or November.
The last edition, the 70th IFFMH, was held in November 2021, and the next edition is scheduled to take place on 17–27 November 2022.[1]
Background
The International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg is aimed at industry professionals as well as cinema enthusiasts, with about 300 professional participants and approximately 50,000 visitors each year, it is one of the largest film festivals in Germany.[citation needed] After several screenings there are public panel discussions with the film's representatives (e. g. directors, actors or producers).
The festival presents films of independent newcomer directors and who are internationally widely-unknown, focussing on arthouse and auteur films. The films selected must be premieres and thus films screened at
Cannes,
Locarno,
Venice and any German festival are excluded for the International Competition.
In 2010, the MANNHEIM MEETING PLACE was launched. The project succeeds the Festival's former co-production market MANNHEIM MEETINGS, focusing on the improvement of marketing opportunities of completed film projects. However, co-production meetings will still take place.
Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-Heidelberg for the best fiction feature film with a minimum length of 70 minutes.
Talent Award Mannheim-Heidelberg for the best unconventionally narrated feature film with a minimum length of 70 minutes. The prize can not be awarded ex aequo.
Special Jury Award of Mannheim-Heidelberg for a film with the minimum length of 70 minutes, or for an extraordinary performance as actor, writer, director etc. This prize can be awarded twice if required.
Special Mentions of Mannheim-Heidelberg for a memorial film or special achievements like acting, photography, music, and montage. Up to three special mentions can be awarded.
The International Film Critics Prize given by the
FIPRESCI Jury for a film of the competition.
Prize of the Ecumenical Jury given by the Ecumenical Jury for a film of the competition.
Audience Award of Mannheim-Heidelberg for the film most liked by the Festival audience, regardless of genre and length.
Recommendations of the Jury of Cinema Owners for a film of the competition which should be released theatrically in Germany.
Master of Cinema Award
In addition, since 1998 in sporadic intervals, the honorary Master of Cinema Award is issued to outstanding cineastic artist:
Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-HeidelbergIl Buco, Michelangelo Frammartino, Italy
Rainer Werner Fassbinder Award – Best ScreenplayZero Fucks Given, Julie Lecoustre and Emmanuel Marre, France/Belgium
Rainer Werner Fassbinder Award – Best Screenplay - Special MentionHaruhara-san's Recorder, Kyoshi Sugita, Japan
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeThe Sleeping Negro, Skinner Myers, USA
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryMy Night, Antoinette Boulat, France/Belgium
Award of the Student JuryThe First Fallen, Rodrigo de Oliveira, Brazil
Audience AwardThe First Fallen, Rodrigo de Oliveira, Brazil
2020
Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-HeidelbergMy Mexican Breztel, Nuria Giménez Lorang, Spain
Rainer Werner Fassbinder Award – Best ScreenplaySingle Cycle, Zhang Qi, China
Rainer Werner Fassbinder Award – Best Screenplay - Special MentionsCome Closer, Saskia Walker and Ralf Walker, Germany; Beginning, Dea Kulumbegashvili, Georgia/France
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeMy Mexican Breztel, Nuria Giménez Lorang, Spain
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryUna promessa, Gianluca and Massimiliano De Serio, Italy/France/Belgium
Prize of Ecumenical Jury - Special MentionThe Slaughterhouse, Abbas Amini, Iran
Award of the Student JuryLorelei, Sabrina Doyle, USA
Award of the Student Jury - Special MentionShithouse, Cooper Raiff, USA
Audience AwardLorelei, Sabrina Doyle, USA
2019
Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-Heidelberg (ex aequo) The Grizzlies, Miranda de Pencier, Canada; On The Roof, Jirí Mádl, Czech Republic
Talent Award Mannheim-HeidelbergUnder the Turquoise Sky, KENTARO, Japan/Mongolia
Special Award Mannheim-HeidelbergEnd of Sentence, Elfar Adalsteins, Iceland/Ireland/USA
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeUnder the Turquoise Sky, KENTARO, Japan/Mongolia
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryRona Azim's Mother, Jamshid Mahmoudi, Afghanistan/Iran
Special Mention of Mannheim-HeidelbergThe Grizzlies, Miranda de Pencier, Canada
Recommendations of the Jury of Cinema OwnersThe Grizzlies, Miranda de Pencier, Canada; On The Roof, Jirí Mádl, Czech Republic; Good Morning Son, Sharon Bar Ziv, Israel
2018
Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-HeidelbergOrange Days, Arash Lahooti, Iran
Talent Award Mannheim-HeidelbergThe Fireflies Are Gone, Sébastien Pilote, Canada
Special Award Mannheim-Heidelberg to the actor Christian Malheiros, Socrates, Brazil
Special Mention Mannheim-Heidelberg to the actress Vivian Wu, Dead Pigs, China
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeOrange Days, Arash Lahooti, Iran
Audience Award (International Competition Newcomer Films)Tazzeka, Jean-Philippe Gaud, France/Morocco
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryOrange Days, Arash Lahooti, Iran
Recommendations of the Jury of Cinema OwnersThe Fireflies Are Gone, Sébastien Pilote, Canada; Tazzeka, Jean-Philippe Gaud, France/Morocco; Orange Days by Arash Lahooti, Iran
2017
Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-HeidelbergSee you in Texas,
Vito Palmieri, Italy
Special Newcomer Award Mannheim-HeidelbergWailings in the forest,
Bagane Fiola, The Philippines
Special Achievement Award Mannheim-Heidelberg to
Sabit Kurmanbekov for the film Returnee, Kasachstan
Special Mention of Mannheim-Heidelberg to
Alejandro Andujar for the film The Watchman, Dominican Republic
Special Mention of Mannheim-Heidelberg to
Shady Srour for the screenplay to Holy Air, Israel
Special Mention of Mannheim-Heidelberg to
Cezmi Baskin for the film Murtaza, Turkey
Audience Award (International Competition Newcomer Films)Life beyond me,
Olivier Peyon, France/Uruguay
Audience Award (International Competition Newcomer Films)Zer,
Kazim Öz, Turkey/Germany
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeSeenelkäik(Mushrooming)Toomas Hussar, Estonia
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryLe Sac de Farine(The Bag of Flour)Kadija Leclere, Belgium, Morocco
Special Mention of the Ecumenical JuryW Sypialni(In a Bedroom)Tomasz Wasilewski, Poland
Recommendation of the Jury of Cinema OwnersLa Niña(The Girl)David Riker, USA/UK/Mexico; Now, Forager. A Film About Love and Fungi,
Jason Cortlund,
Julia Halperin, USA/Poland; Silent City,
Threes Anna, Netherlands/Belgium/Luxembourg
2011
Main Award of Mannheim-HeidelbergParked, by
Darragh Byrne, Ireland
Rainer Werner Fassbinder PrizeUn Cuento Chino (Chinese Take-Away),
Sebastián Borensztein, Argentina
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryBein Hashmashot (Dusk), by
Alon Zingman, Israel
Recommendations of the Jury of Cinema OwnersBein Hashmashot (Dusk),
Alon Zingman, Israel; Elle ne pleure pas, elle chante (She's not crying, she's singing),
Philippe de Pierpont, Belgium; Un Amor (One Love),
Paula Hernández, Argentina
2010
Main Award of Mannheim-Heidelberg10½, by
Daniel Grou, Canada
Rainer Werner Fassbinder PrizeXun huan zuo le (The High Life), by Zhao Dayong, China
Special Award of the International JurySiyah Beyaz (Black and White), by Ahmet Boyacioglu, Turkey
Special Mention of the International JuryAct of Dishonour, by Nelofer Pazira, Canada and Alicia Vikander for her performance in Till det som är vackert (Pure), by Lisa Langseth, Sweden
Audience AwardEva y Lola by Sabrina Farji, Argentina and Hold om mig (Hold me tight), by Kaspar Munk, Denmark
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeXun huan zuo le (The High Life), by Zhao Dayong, China
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryHold om mig (Hold me tight), by Kaspar Munk, Denmark
Recommendations ofthe Jury of Cinema OwnersTill det som är vackert (Pure), Lisa Langseth, Sweden; Win/Win, Jaap van Heusden, The Netherlands; Planes para Mañana, Juana Macías, Spain
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeCoeur Animal (Animal Heart), Séverine Cornamusaz, Switzerland
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryCoeur Animal (Animal Heart), Séverine Cornamusaz, Switzerland
Recommendations of the Jury of Cinema OwnersRetorno a Hansala (Return to Hansala), Chus Gutiérrez, Spain; (Untitled), Jonathan Parker, USA; Nurse.Fighter.Boy,
Charles Officer, Canada
2008
Main Award of Mannheim-HeidelbergLluvia (Rain), Paula Hernández, Argentina
Rainer Werner Fassbinder PrizeUn roman policier (A Police Romance), Stéphanie Duvivier, France
Special Award of the International JuryMásik Bolygó (Another Planet), Ferenc Moldoványi, Hungary
Audience AwardAmanecer de un sueño (Awaking From a Dream), Freddy Mas Franqueza, Spain
FIPRESCIInternational Film Critics' PrizeBorderline, Lyne Charlebois, Canada
Prize of the Ecumenical JuryBorderline, Lyne Charlebois, Canada
Recommendations of the Jury of Cinema Owners14 kilometros (14 Kilometers),
Gerardo Olivares, Spain; Borderline, Lyne Charlebois, Canada; Les murs porteurs (Cycles), Cyril Gelblat, France