Filmmaker from Hamburg sentenced in Iran

A strong start to the new year: the High End Committee of the MOIN Film Fund awarded around 3.6 million euros to 13 projects in its first funding session in 2025. These include a supernatural love story by Fatih Akin with around 40 days of filming in the funding region and Lars Jessen's "Walk to Syracuse" with Charly Hübner.

Hamburg Media School, MOIN Film Fund and the City of Hamburg are continuing the successful "GetOnSet" 2025 film trainee programme. Since its launch in 2022, the practice-oriented programme has established itself as a valuable entry opportunity for career changers who want to build a future in the film and series industry. The majority of previous graduates have successfully made the leap into the industry after completing the programme.

Mayor Dr Peter Tschentscher and Senator for Culture Dr Carsten Brosda received Mohammad Rasoulof as a guest of honour at City Hall today. The renowned Iranian Director, who had to flee Iran in 2024 due to political persecution and has since returned to his adopted home of Hamburg, signed the city's Golden Book. His latest film, the drama "The Seeds of the Sacred Fig Tree", which was funded and produced in Hamburg, was nominated for an Oscar for Best International Film 2025. It has been nominated six times for the German Film Award, which will be presented on 9 May. In May 2024, it was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Cannes International Film Festival.