The Jury 2015 is Rola Bauer, CEO at Tandem Productions, Prof. Nico Hofmann, Co-CEO at UFA, Marcus Ammon, Senior Vice President Film Sky Deutschland and Juliana Lima Dehne, Screenwriter and Creative Producer.

Internationally reknowned as a forum for the discovery of new directorial talent in arthouse cinema, the International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg established an additional competition for creative, intelligent serial dramas from talented newcomers since 2015. The Jury prizes a new Serial Drama with the "New Creators Award" for the first time.

The independent Jury awards the following prizes for serial dramas:

New Creators Award Mannheim-Heidelberg 2015

OCCUPIED (NORWAY) by Karianne Lund & Erik Skjoldbjærg

Production: Yellow Bird Norge AS, Norway

Distribution: Zodiak Rights, United Kingdom

Jury's statement: Occupied garners the top prize as quite simply, it is one of the most compelling series in terms of storytelling and intensity. A high octane politcal-thriller, incredibly well written, directed and cast, even in the minor roles. A really tense story that is thrilling from the get-go, interweaving the tension and uncertainty of the kidnapping to the main dilemma; what will be the fall out of Berg's decision, and what will this future hold for the people. Created by renowned Norwegian crime author Jo Nesbø, Occupied is Norway's most expensive television series ever made.

Sepcial Mention 2015

FAMILIE BRAUN - THE BRAUN FAMILY (GERMANY) by Manuel Meimberg & Uwe Urbas

Production: Polyphon Film- und Fernsehgesellschaft mbH, Germany

Distribution: ZDF Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, Germany

Jury's statement: Familie Braun is honored tonight for its audacity and kudos both to the creators and and for ZDF’s Kleines Fernsehspiel for taking a risk. The story is very fresh, smart and young without trying too hard. The humor, given the subject matter, is something quite unique and makes the senselessness of racism hit home even harder and emphasizes the ignorance (or triviality) of being „braun“. Very funny and touching moments kept us glued to the screen and the use of an authentic soundtrack, handheld camera work and social network postings maintained the integrity of the drama, giving us an honest reflection of the time around us.

Sepcial Mention 2015

FOLLOW THE MONEY (DENMARK) by Jeppe Gjervig Gram

Production: DR Danmarks Radio, Denmark

Distribution: DR International Sales, Denmark

Jury's statement: Follow the Money is honored tonight for the realistically drawn characters, written so simply and has an easy accessiblity for all of us, for the direction of making us focus on the small nuances of the moment, giving us emotional beats that are quite memorable, for the cool blue themed colours and camera movement that creates an atmosphere of mystery, for a beautiful score that propels the narrative so dramatically and of course for the excellent performances that honor life's extraordinary circumstances. it does represent a local story for the international arena and should be recognized.