Helge Albers, CEO of MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein: "The fact that the jury is sending the drama 'The Seeds of the Sacred Fig' into the Oscar race for Germany is a powerful signal for the freedom of art - and for solidarity among filmmakers worldwide. Mohammad Rasoulof shot his film in Iran under the most difficult conditions - permanently supported by his film team in Hamburg. We are keeping our fingers crossed for the next steps to the Oscar!"

The German premiere of his film will take place this autumn at Filmfest Hamburg.

A film from Hamburg was already in the spotlight at the Academy Awards at the beginning of the year: The drama "The Teachers' Lounge" by İlker Çatak, shot between the Elbe and Alster rivers, was nominated in the "Best International Film" category. Albers continues: "We are delighted that the German Oscar nominee was made in Hamburg for the second time in a row. This is great news for the film location!"

About the film "The Seed of the Sacred Fig"
Rasoulof's political family drama "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" was produced by the Hamburg production company Run Way Pictures and financially supported by the MOIN Film Fund. Also involved from the Hanseatic city: editor Andrew Bird ("Soul Kitchen", "Tschick", "Into the Fate") as well as Optical Art and Loft Studios for post production. The film is about Iman, who has just been promoted to investigating judge at the Revolutionary Court in Tehran when a huge protest movement sweeps the country following the death of a young woman. Although the demonstrations increase and the state cracks down with ever tougher measures, Iman decides to side with the regime, upsetting the balance of his family.

At the 77th Cannes International Film Festival, Mohammad Rasoulof won the Special Jury Prize, among other honours. In addition to the upcoming Filmfest Hamburg premiere, the film has already been shown in Locarno on the Piazza Grande. The Toronto International Film Festival is also showing the film in this year's Centrepiece programme.

The road to the Oscars
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will publish a list of all titles submitted in the "Best International Feature Film" category in October. Last year, 92 countries submitted films. On 17 December 2024, the selection will be reduced to a shortlist of 15 titles, from which the five nominated films will be announced on 17 January 2025. The Oscars Distribution will take place on 2 March 2025. More at German Films