Over 150 films in the competition: Max Ophüls Prize starts in Saarbrücken!

Over 150 films in the competition: Max Ophüls Prize starts in Saarbrücken!

On January 25, 2025, the 46th edition of the renowned film festival Max Ophüls Prize (MOP) begins in Saarbrücken. The award ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. and is part of a rich program that offers a platform for emerging filmmakers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. According to the N-TV, a total of 19 awards worth almost 130,000 euros will be awarded, the event is streamed live via the FFMOP website.

The moderation of the opening ceremony takes over Simin Sadeghi and Eugene Boateng. Prominent guests, among them the actress and jury member Sibel Kekilli, are handed over to the prizes. The festival has established itself as one of the largest forums for the German -speaking young film and has been carried out for over 40 years, which underlines its importance for the film scene, especially as a springboard for young talents.

a multi -layered film program

A total of 57 films are presented in the competition that compete against each other in the categories feature film, documentary, medium -long film and short film. In addition, 151 films are shown in 234 performances in nine venues in and around Saarbrücken. The event also offers a comprehensive industry program under the name MOP Industry, which promotes exchange and networking among experts. As reported WDR, and N-TV, a selection of competitive films will also be presented on Sunday both on site and in streaming.

A special innovation for this year is the price of "Treatment Development", endowed with 10,000 euros. This prize is awarded in cooperation with ZDF/the small television game and aims to promote research and fabric development for debut films. ZDF director Norbert Himmler emphasized the importance of supporting young talents, especially in economically challenging times.

the legacy of Max Ophüls

The festival is named after the important European film director Max Ophüls, who was born in Saarbrücken in 1902 and had to flee the National Socialists in 1933. Ophüls lived in France and the USA before returning to Europe. The first edition of the festival took place in 1980 on the initiative of Michael Beckert, Wilfried Dittmar and Albrecht Stuby. With 700 spectators, the festival has now recorded 43,500 visitors in 2018.

Participation in the MOP is considered a significant step in their professional career for many young filmmakers. The festival has helped numerous talents over the years to start their careers. In addition to the competitions, it also offers a broad supporting program that includes discussions, workshops and networking events. The Ministry of Education and Culture also creates a price of 5,000 euros for the best medium -length film, which further underlines the support of the festival for the film scene.

Overall, the Max Ophüls Prize Film Festival shows a diverse range of productions and offers valuable opportunities for the next generations of filmmakers in the German -speaking world.