National Competition for Women Directors of Photography

National Competition for Women Directors of Photography

The Dortmund Award for Women Directors of Photography is to be presented for the fifth time running. This year, however, we arranged for two awards in two separate categories of feature film and documentary film. Working conditions differ considerably. With a feature film, for example, the director of photography gets the chance beforehand to consult with the film director – and people from other units such as scenery, costume and set design – and thus develop a clear concept for the shoot. She knows the rooms or locations where the filming will take place and can define the light accordingly. But when it comes to shooting a documentary film, other skills are called for. The camerawoman here must be able to react spontaneously to the situations at hand, use the camera to follow new developments flexibly, decide on suitable field sizes; and adapt to changing or unknown light conditions. Her (eye) contact with the film director is also important so that, working together, the right decision can be taken at the right moment. Plus, of course, it
needs a whole lot of intuition. Similarly, the ability to fit into a team and a knowledge of the latest camera technology are indispensable in both categories of film-making. Either way, more and more young women are confident that such sophisticated work is not beyond their ken. No fewer than 53 entries were submitted this year, of which 32 were nominated
for the competition. As usual, we called for graduate pieces or films made during the first two years after qualification.

The jury members and directors of photography Sophie Maintigneux, Bella Halben and Ute Freund came, saw and discussed before deciding that:

The € 5,000 award for best cinematography in the category of Feature Film is to be equally divided between Susanne Kurz for the 1, 2, 3 (directors: Siobhan Jackson / Susanne Kurz) and Marlen Schlawin for Badetag (director: Philipp Batereau).

And the € 2,500 award for best camera work in the category of
Documentary Film is to go to Anne Misselwitz for Der Die Das (director: Sophie Narr). Julia Daschner receives a special mention for her film Auf der Walz.