This weekend, after a two-year break, the Deutsche Werbefilmpreis (German advertising film award) was presented at Kino International in Berlin. Around 500 visitors were looking forward to the new concept – less categories, no presenter, no entry fees and entries accepted from everyone. After an aperitif or two in the company of contemporary celebrities such as director and producer Carlo Rola and actresses such as Dennenesch Zoudé, Ralph Herforth, Tobias Schenke and last but not least the absolutely enchanting and hardworking Denise Zich – who says "Hello GoSee !" live from the event, the industry insiders made their way to the screening room. We were treated to an eloquent introduction by Tony Petersen, Chairman of the event. Open, self-critical and yet self confident.
The award was opened with a making-of video of the jury meeting – which gave us some deep insights. Although quite a few people were rather surprised by the result. But all in good time. As promised, all categories were quickly ticked off the list, though we did notice that the surprises we had hoped for were excluded from the categories. We suggest rather than using designed artwork trailers (which we really liked btw) it might be nicer to produce a colourful medley of the entries… who dares wins.
The ceremony started with the ‘Best Direction' category. Presenter Markus Walter remarked: “unfortunately we aren’t talking about me here, but the work of three wonderful colleagues.” The winner was Sebastian Strasser for Add Power (Vodafone), produced by Radical Media.
Best Script was awarded to Wolfgang Schneider, David Mously, Ton Hollander and Jan Harbeck (BBDO) for multi international award winning commercial Smart Offroad.
Sebastian Pfaffenbichler presented Best Camera to Peter Matjasko for his film Duell (Konzerthaus Dortmund).
Then there was a short break and self-proclaimed One-Man-Think-Tank Heinz Strunk, who also happens to have inspired our lovely heading, won the audience over with his satirical take on the advertising world.
Elena Bromund-Lustig presented the Best Edit Award, commenting, “sometimes it is equally as important to not make a cut”. Andreas Bardet convinced the jury with his Audi Land of Quattro advert (Audi AG).
Timo von Wittken handed over Best Visual Effects to Sheldon Gardner and James Allen for our winning film of the night, Add Power (Vodafone).
An exception was made for Best Art Department: there were two winners. Colin Taplin for Add Power (Vodafone) and Aaron Crothers for Und jetzt Du! (Hornbach) shared the award. And unstoppable presenter Birgit Kniep-Gentis commented: “you don’t necessarily need six figure budgets to dream big”.
And the award for Best Composition / Best Sound Design goes to Specter Berlin for "Lexus RC“ (Dentsu/LEXUS RC).
Deutsche Werbefilmakademie also presented an award to support young talent with a total of 7.500 Euro in prize money. Sponsored by ARRI and handed over by Wolf Bosse of ARRI Mitte. Andreas Bruns won over the jury with his film Save your Skin for the LUX brand. We have some photos of the cheque for you – with Andreas in the background. Director colleague Josh Dawson, winner of the 2013 support prize, presented his finished commercial and impressed the industry audience.
2014’s Best Advertising Film went to Czar Film for Und was bleibt von Dir? (Hornbach / Heimat Werbeagentur). “We asked ourselves: can advertising film have the power to make changes?”, Bettina Olf commented in her laudation for the winning production. “We awarded a film, that doesn’t simply try to make as much money as possible, but is in fact asking a question.” And alongside the enchanting presentations by Birgit Kniep-Gentis, this was one of the most hotly discussed decisions of the evening.
GoSee presents an overview of the Deutschen Werbefilmpreises 2014 winners:
Best Advertising Film
Und was bleibt von Dir?
Client/product : Hornbach
Agency: Heimat Werbeagentur
Production: Czar Film
Best Direction
Add Power / Sebastian Strasser
Client/product: Vodafone
Agency: Jung von Matt / Alster
Production: Radical Media
Best Script
Smart Offroad / Wolfgang Schneider, David Mously, Ton Hollander, Jan Harbeck
Client/product: Smart
Agency: BBDO Proximity Berlin
Production: Bigfish Filmproduktion
Best Camera
Duell / Peter Matjasko
Client/product: Konzerthaus Dortmund
Agency: Jung von Matt / Neue Elbe
Production: Radical Media
Best Edit
Audi Land of Quattro / Andreas Bardet
Client/product: Audi AG / Audi Quattro
Agency: thjnk Hamburg
Production: Markenfilm
Best Visual Effects
Add Power / Sheldon Gardner, James Allen
Client/product: Vodafone
Agency: Jung von Matt / Alster
Production: Radical Media
Best Art Department (2 winners)
Add Power/ Colin Taplin
Client/product: Vodafone
Agency: Jung von Matt / Alster
Production: Radical Media
Und jetzt Du! / Aaron Crothers
Client/product: Hornbach
Agency: Heimat Werbeagentur
Production: Radical Media
Best Composition / Best Sound Design
Lexus RC / Specter Berlin
Client/product: Dentsu / LEXUS RC
Agency: Dentsu / Pict. Inc.
Production: Storz & Escherich
Best Newcomer Advertising Film
Save your Skin / Andreas Bruns
Client/product: LUX
Production: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Saubere Filme
