65. International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg 
November 4 to 19, 2016
 

Festival Profile

The International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg has a long tradition of introducing film artists of the future and their aesthetic language to the world. The festival offers an inspiring environment for talented new filmmakers and showcases heretofore unknown talents each year who are all driven by their increased awareness, a strong personal vision and a powerful ambition.

From more than 1,000 submissions the festival picks a selection of roundabout 40 to 50 films by new directors - to be presented as real premieres. Throughout the year, the film scouts and the selection committee search the world to find these few extraordinary talents they consider to be the most interesting and aesthetically extraordinary. Any film presented in Mannheim-Heidelberg receives focussed attention of about 1,000 international industry professionals, the media, and roundabout 60,000 festival visitors alike.

Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-Heidelberg

Requirements

Only newcomer directors may participate at the International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg, i.e. directors who are unknown to an international audience outside their home country.

In order for a film to be eligible for presentation at the Festival's International Competition Section, it must not have been screened at

• Cannes (International Competition, Quinzaine des Réalisateurs, Un Certain Regard, Semaine de la Critique)
• Venice (International Competition)
• Locarno (International Competition)
• Berlin 
• any other festival in Germany

Awards

Films in the International Competition are nominated for the following awards:

• Grand Newcomer Award Mannheim-Heidelberg  (for the best film in competition, awarded by the International Jury)
• Special Newcomer Award Mannheim-Heidleberg  (for an extraordinary performance as director, actor, writer, etc, awarded by the International Jury)
• Special Achievment Award Mannheim-Heidelberg (for the best unconventionally narrated feature film, awarded by the International Jury)
• Special Mentions of the International Jury (for a remarkable film with outstanding acting, music, photography etc, awarded by the International Jury)
• International Film Critic's Award (awarded by the FIPRESCI-Jury)
• The Ecumenic Film Prize (awarded by the Ecumenical Jury)

A Jury of Cinema Owners will recommend films for theatrical distribution. An Audience Award is issued for any film in the two main sections, regardless of genre and length.