Maria Köpf appointed as new head of the FFHSH
- The new CEO of the Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein wants to provide the best conditions for filmmakers
“We want to provide the best conditions for filmmakers so that they can create great films.” This is the approach of Maria Köpf, who has been heading the Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein (FFHSH) as managing director since 1 January. The experienced producer used to work at Berlin-based X Filme Creative Pool with directors such as Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run, Winter Sleepers, Heaven [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) and Wolfgang Becker (Good Bye Lenin! [+see also:
trailer
interview: Wolfgang Becker
film profile], Me and Kaminski [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) before she became the chief executive of Zentropa Entertainments Berlin. With the German partner of the Danish production house, she co-produced films such as Love Is All You Need [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Susanne Bier and A Royal Affair [+see also:
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interview: Mikkel Boe Følsgaard
interview: Nikolaj Arcel
film profile] by Nikolaj Arcel.
“Hamburg has great locations and a very good infrastructure,” emphasises Köpf, who plans to bring more international co-productions to the area. “We need creative folks in the city but also inspiring ideas from outside.” Among the top goals on her agenda is to intensify the organic relationship between the Northern German film fund and the Scandinavian countries. In close collaboration with producers, she also plans to expand the script and project development side.
“I want to strengthen independent cinema,” underlines the CEO. In order to make that happen, she is trying to convince regional broadcaster NDR to come up with stronger commitments to contribute to co-productions. However, the fostering and funding of young producers also often pays off. At the upcoming Berlin International Film Festival, Hamburg-based production outfit Detailfilm will be in competition as the German co-producer of the drama Things to Come [+see also:
film review
trailer
Q&A: Mia Hansen-Løve
film profile] by Mia Hansen-Løve (Eden [+see also:
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trailer
interview: Charles Gillibert
interview: Mia Hansen-Løve
film profile]), which stars Isabelle Huppert as a 57-year-old philosophy professor facing the start of a new life.
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