Zoe Dumas is the first winner of the Female Gaze – CineOne & sPOTTlight Young Talent Award for Cinematographers in NRW

Promoting young talent is a top priority at IFFF Dortmund+Köln. With the support of Dortmund-based companies CineOne and sPOTTlight, »Female Gaze« is being awarded this year for the first time. The non-cash prize, valued at €5,000, is offered in the form of equipment rental, providing vital support to emerging cinematographers from NRW. Founded by Dortmund film students, CineOne and sPOTTlight are among the region’s largest equipment rental companies, actively supporting creative cinematography with their extensive portfolio.

Zoe Dumas, a graduate of ifs Internationale Filmschule köln, is awarded the »Female Gaze« prize for her cinematography in her graduation film El Mártir (The Martyr, directed by Alejandro Mathé). Shot in Spain and funded by Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, the film tells the story of a young man’s obsession with the figure of Jesus Christ. »Zoe Dumas’ camera work stands out for its maturity, depth and sensitive treatment of both actors and storyline. With remarkable intuition, the visual composition enhances the structural development and intensity of the narrative,« concluded the jury, made up of cinematographers Conny Beißler, Adriana Berroterán and Andaç Karabeyoglu.

Lisa Bühl receives the 6th Shoot – KHM & IFFF Dortmund+Köln Award for Emerging Female Artists of the Academy of Media Arts Cologne

Offering emerging talent a platform, »Shoot« is a collaboration between the KHM’s Equal Opportunities Team and IFFF Dortmund+Köln. This year’s prize goes to Lisa Bühl for her latest film El Sueño (The Dream, co-directed by Carolina Jimenez). The film follows a group of children on Colombia’s Pacific coast. Through their unique perspective, the children draw us into their magical universe, one that is shaped by contrasts and apparently haunted by its past.

The award carries a prize of € 1,000. The jury was made up of the film-makers and curators Conny Beißler, Elke Kania and Nicole Rebmann.