Helge Albers becomes new CEO of FFHSH

The 45-year-old Helge Albers currently works as CEO and Executive Producer at achtung panda! Media GmbH and is also CEO of the Association of German Film Producers. In 2015, the short film "Ave Maria", which he produced, received an Oscar nomination, and in 2016 he won the "Lola" film award for Best Documentary with "Above and Below".

Dr Carsten BrosdaSenator of the Ministry of Culture and Media: "With Helge Albers, we have been able to gain a proven expert on the German film landscape for Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, who has an excellent national and international network and is committed to film policy. His wealth of experience as an Executive Producer in the feature and documentary film sector and as CEO of the Association of German Film Producers is an excellent basis for continuing the successful work of the FFHSH together with the highly committed staff. With Helge Albers, we will continue to strengthen film in the north in times of profound upheaval in the moving image industry."

"With this personnel decision, the joint film funding programme of the two northern German states has every chance of continuing the successful course of recent years. We have the potential in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein to play an unmistakable North German role in the context of state funding," said Schleswig-Holstein's Culture Minister Karin Prien. "With Helge Albers, an unmistakable North German signature will be prominently visible in film funding. Helge Albers has provided important impetus both through his own productions and through his commitment to film policy as CEO of the Association of German Film Producers and as a member of the European and German Film Academies. I am sure that the FFHSH will continue to raise its profile as a result of his nomination."

Helge Albers said of his choice: "Based on my surname alone, it was inevitable that I would end up in Hamburg at some point. I am particularly pleased that this is now happening under these circumstances. After 20 years as a film producer, I am looking forward to my new role as CEO of FFHSH and working with an experienced, competent team. The dynamic nature of developments presents our industry with major challenges that need to be supported by regional film funding. I am looking forward to taking on responsibility in this process in dialogue with the various players in the industry. I am taking over a well-run organisation from Maria Köpf, whom I have known and held in high esteem for many years."

Image material ThePortrait photo of Helge Albers may be used free of charge for reporting purposes, provided the copyright "© Anne Meurer" is acknowledged.