Four FIRST STEPS Awards for FABW

A major success for Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg: Four FIRST STEPS Awards 2024 were won by students and productions from the renowned Ludwigsburg-based film school. At the prestigious awards ceremony on 30th September 2024, held at the Theater des Westens in Berlin, creative works and impressive emerging talents were honoured, capturing the attention of this year’s expert jury. With innovative concepts, gripping stories, and outstanding cinematography, FABW students secured several of the highly sought-after prizes.

VENA: Winner in the "Feature Film" Category and Michael Ballhaus Award for Cinematography

In the "Feature Film" category, VENA (directed by Chiara Fleischhacker) impressed with a compelling story about the relationship between a family midwife and a young woman struggling with drug addiction, who becomes unexpectedly pregnant and faces a looming prison sentence. The jury praised the film for its courageous and empathetic storytelling, focusing on complex and imperfect characters.

Moreover cinematographer Lisa Jilg received the Michael Ballhaus Award for her outstanding work on VENA. The jury highlighted the film's subtle yet powerful visual execution: "With empathy and an eye for what truly matters, the cinematography creates striking images that resonate long after viewing."

PEAR GARDEN: Award in the "Short Steps" Category

In the "Short Steps" category, the animated film PEAR GARDEN by Shadab Shayegan stood out. Produced at the Filmakademie's Animationsinstitut, it tells the story of six-year-old Lili and her first visit to her grandmother after she underwent a mastectomy. The jury commended the film's “quiet tones” and remarked: "Through sensitive storytelling and impressive imagery, PEAR GARDEN invites us to feel the fragility and strength of the human condition."

BITE BACK: Winner in the "Screenplay" Category

Samuel Gheist (Diploma 2024) won in the "Screenplay" category for his series pilot BITE BACK. In this tragicomic mockumentary, viewers follow the bizarre lives of a group of zombies living together in a flat-share. The film is marked by dark humour and sharp social satire. The jury praised the series as "twisted, sharp-witted, and satirical... and absolutely hilarious!"

The FIRST STEPS Award is the most significant accolade for graduation films from film schools in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. With a total prize fund of €132,000, it is the highest-endowed young talent award in the German-speaking region. Each year, awards are presented across ten categories, recognising directors, producers, cinematographers, actors, and screenwriters. In 2024, 13 productions from Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg were nominated. Nominations alone come with a prize of €1,000 each.

The award was launched in 1999 as a private initiative by Bernd Eichinger and Nico Hofmann, and is organised by the German Film Academy, in partnership with major sponsors including Amazon Studios, ARD, Netflix, Seven.One Entertainment Group, Studio Hamburg, UFA, and Warner Bros. Discovery, all of whom share a commitment to fostering emerging talent in the film industry.

*Chiara Fleischhacker and Samuel Gheist are scholarship holders of the Baden-Wuerttemberg Foundation and took part in an international partner programme as part of their studies.

Film information, staff lists, jury statements, images and further information can be found at
www.firststeps.de

Photo credits:
Individual winners: Eventpress / First Steps 2024
Award trophy and nominees:  Clemens Porikys
Award show: Florian Liedl