60th birthday award for Albert Wiederspiel

Helge AlbersCEO of Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein: "Filmfest Hamburg and Albert Wiederspiel - a real dream team that is firmly intertwined in the public perception and especially in Hamburg. Over the past 17 years, Albert has provided a platform for both young and established filmmakers from all over the world. His commitment to politically persecuted filmmakers, such as the recent Berlinale winner Mohammad Rasoulof, deserves special mention. A strong personality and an advocate of cinema - the award is more than deserved and we congratulate him warmly."

Albert Wiederspiel at the Filmfest Hamburg Born in Warsaw on 5 November 1960, Wiederspiel has been in charge of Filmfest Hamburg since 2003 and has made it nationally and internationally renowned during this time. Under his leadership, a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue has been created - the majority of the films are presented by the filmmakers themselves in Hamburg. Year after year, Wiederspiel and his team curate a wide-ranging programme of cinematically sophisticated arthouse films, innovative mainstream cinema and a colourful programme of films and events. When he took office in 2003, the MICHEL Kinder und Jugend Filmfest was also held for the first time. Albert Wiederspiel's political commitment to politically persecuted filmmakers such as Jafar Panahi, Oleg Sentschow or the current Berlinale winner and Hamburg resident Mohammad Rassoulof deserves special mention.

TheSenator Biermann Ratjen Medal was established by the Senate in 1978 to commemorate the achievements of Senator for Culture Dr Hans Harder Biermann-Ratjen (1901 - 1969). The medal honours individuals, groups of people or institutions who have rendered outstanding services to Hamburg through their artistic and cultural achievements.