Lübek – November 2, 2023: The Lübeck Nordic Film Days has announced the recipients of the inaugural Script Development Grants for German-language projects, marking a significant milestone in the 65th festival’s opening night ceremonies (November 1-5, 2023).
Renowned writer Annika Pinske secured the grant for her new cinema project titled “Im Fluss,” while the second grant, designed for an author with a biographical connection to Lübeck and a visual narrative on an open platform, was bestowed upon Gesine Danckwart for her VR project, “HERZKAMMER – EIN ESCAPE-ROOM FÜR FORTSCHREITENDE.”
A rigorous selection process led by the jury, comprising Barbara Häbe, deputy department head for theatrical and television films at ARTE, film and music maker Brenda Lien, and Florian Weghorn, head of Berlinale Talents, resulted in the choice of Annika Pinske and Gesine Danckwart from a pool of nearly 90 submissions.
Thomas Hailer, the artistic director of the Lübeck Nordic Film Days, expressed his congratulations to the grant recipients, welcoming them to the 65th festival and the city of Lübeck. He emphasized the festival’s eagerness to engage with the recipients in script development over the coming months, in collaboration with their extensive network.
Annika Pinske, who hails from Frankfurt/Oder, brings a wealth of experience to her cinema project “Im Fluss.” Her narrative feature debut, “Talking About the Weather,” garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, making her a prominent figure in German cinema.
“Im Fluss” follows the journey of Else, an 84-year-old woman, on a Danube river cruise, where she encounters Captain Niko. The film explores their unlikely friendship and delves into long-suppressed issues like motherhood, masculinity, homeland, and personal transformation.
Gesine Danckwart, an internationally recognized film and theatre director and writer, has a track record of pushing the boundaries of storytelling. Her project “Herzkammer – ein Escape-Room for fortschreitende” is a groundbreaking narrative set in an apartment across various historical epochs. It delves into the traditionally female domestic sphere, shedding light on its history through immersive VR experiences.
The grants, each valued at €35,000, are funded by the Possehl Foundation for an initial three-year period. In addition to financial support, the foundation will provide personalized guidance, script counseling, residencies, research opportunities, and networking experiences in Lübeck and at the Nordic Film Days festival.
The recipients of these grants will be hosted by the Lübeck Nordic Film Days, collaborating with Kino Koki repertory cinema, the Waldzimmer cultural association, and the Lübeck municipal library. A unique aspect of the grants is the open exchange with the public, enabling anyone interested to engage in workshop discussions, curated film series, and script readings, actively participating in the creative process. The recipients will also be integrated into the local film community and cultural scene, fostering collaborative growth and artistic development.
