Anke Wiesenthal

Anke Wiesenthal is a professor of film design at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hannover. In the field of post-production, she is an expert in editing, dramaturgy, color correction, and look design. She works as an editor and dramaturgical consultant for film productions and agencies on projects that achieve international success at festivals. She is an active member of the FRISE artists' house and imaging center, the German Association of Film Editors, and various festival juries. As a lecturer, she has taught at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg Media School, and the University of Europe for Applied Sciences. In teaching, she encourages a critical and creative engagement with moving images. Technical innovations and international collaborations also play a role.

Vanessa Donelly

Vanessa Donelly is an award-winning film & games composer, songwriter & producer known for her feature film ANGEL IN THE WALL. In 2023 she won the Vespertilio Award for the best film music in Rome, Italy and the Heimspiel Award of the Braunschweig International Film Festival. In addition to her work for ARD, ZDF and the gaming industry, this year she spoke in the German Bundestag on “Compatibility of family and career” in the Culture Committee. With her cabaret band “passivattraktiv” she won the title “Act of the Year” at the Wabe Berlin. She will also be part of the jury for the German Film Music Award in November 2024. Donelly lives and works in Gifhorn and Berlin.

Prof. Dr. Michael Grisko

Michael Grisko is managing director of the Richard Borek Foundation (Braunschweig), honorary professor at the Department of Media and Communication Studies at the University of Erfurt, lecturer at the TU Braunschweig, publicist and curator. He has published numerous books, including on the media and cultural history of the Weimar Republic and the GDR

JURY-STATEMENT ON VANESSA DONELLY

The 2023 Heimspiel Preis goes to Vanessa Donelly for the film score of Lorenzo Bianchini's film 'L'ANGELO DEI MURI' (THE ANGEL IN THE WALL).

In a film whose strength unfolds in the absence of dialogues, Vanessa's music serves as the heartbeat of the plot and transports the inner world of the main character, Pietro Rossi, embodied by Pierre Richard. Her music speaks of longing, guilt, and sorrow. As a composer, Vanessa possesses the ability to understand the pulse of a scene and to feel the unspoken fears and desires of a character. Fleeting emotions are translated by her into a language that everyone understands: music. In THE ANGEL IN THE WALL, her composition not only accompanies the visuals – it interacts with them. Tonight, we honor Vanessa not only for the beauty she has created in THE ANGEL IN THE WALL. We honor her for her contribution to the art of auditory storytelling and as a wonderful example that the true power of film music lies in its ability to touch the soul and make a cinema visit an experience that resonates - a gift to all who believe in the magic of cinema. We have seen and heard remarkable work that emotionally moved us, made the protagonists relatable, and, above all, told a particularly powerful story. The film score has made an elemental contribution to this. To achieve that is not just talent, but also craftsmanship and hard work – and in our opinion, that deserves an award. We are delighted to present the film composer Vanessa Donelly with the 2023 Home Game Award. Congratulations, dear Vanessa!

Fitore Muzaqi

Fitore Muzaqi lives as a screenwriter and director in Cologne. She studied Communication Arts MA- Narrative Environments at the Braunschweig University of Fine Arts. She is a board member of DDV (German Screenwriters Association) since 2023 and a representative for WIFT Cologne.

Johannes Thomsen

Johannes Thomsen was born in 1981 in Hanover, where he also grew up and went to school. After graduating, he worked as a marketing manager, as a copywriter in advertising agencies in Lower Saxony and Bavaria, and as a freelance film and literary critic for various newspapers. In 2018, Johannes Thomsen and his wife Wiebke opened the Lodderbast Kino in Hanover, which was awarded four Lower Saxony Cinema Program Prizes as well as the German Cinematheque Association Prize and was voted Germany's most popular cinema in 2020.

Germany 2022, 120 min, colour, Director: Sophie Linnenbaum

A fictional film world divided into main characters, supporting characters and outtakes: Here Paula has to prove that she has what it takes to be a main character. She wants a glamorous life with her own storyline - not like her mother, who works as a supporting character in the background. Along the way, Paula encounters contradictions and finds herself on the social fringe - and begins to doubt the story ... THE ORDINARIES is a film about being in the movies: Lavishly shot, narratively and visually bursting with ideas across film history: from special effects to the musical number choreography to the score, which was recorded by the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg. The film was shot in Hanover, among other places. One of the leading roles - Dr. Cooper - is played by Hanover-based actress Denise M'Baye.

JURY STATEMENT

In the jury we intensively discussed five highly diverse films - from documentary, feature film to youth film project. The task was to work out why a film should receive the Heimspiel Award - an award for its connection with the region, with Lower Saxony. We warmly congratulate all the nominees and we also congratulate Filmfest Braunschweig, which has staffed our jury exclusively with women - a strong sign!

As the jury, we would first like to give an honourable mention - to the young people of the Propsteijugend Bad Harzburg with Pastor Martin Widiger and Deacon Michael Marintschak for their involvement in the youth film project "Fisch im Fell". The young people have started a sympathetic film project. They succeeded in involving a whole region - from the fire brigade to the professional cameraman. This effort impressed us!

Winner: Denise M'Baye in THE ORDINARIES

The jury of the Home Game Award honours the Hanoverian actress and singer Denise M'Baye, who convinces in a leading role in Sophie Linnenbaum's artistically outstanding film "The Ordinaries". Denise M'Baye acts, sings, dances and inspires the audience with all her talents in one film. "The Ordinaries" is an extraordinary film that was partly shot in Hanover. But it is above all Denise M'Baye who stands for the bond with the region. 

Franziska Stünkel

Internationally awarded film director, screenwriter and photographer. Her films have been screened at over 200 festivals. Her latest feature film NAHSCHUSS (with Lars Eidinger, among others) opened internationally in cinemas. Her photographs can be seen in museums and galleries.

Anna Deileke

Anna Deileke works full-time as an event planner at the Hallenbad cultural centre in Wolfsburg. Since 2016, the 39-year-old has been curating the stage programme as well as the film selection at the cinema in the Hallenbad. The small cinema is known for its diverse programme and family atmosphere. The trained photographer and communications graduate has lived and worked in Wolfsburg since 2009. The indoor swimming pool is her second home and the passionate cyclist appreciates the region's proximity to the Elm and the Harz mountains - her original home.

Cornelia Köhler

Author, moderator, networker. Active in the media industry since 2000. First as a producer, since 2007 as a freelance scriptwriter and dramaturg for cinema, TV formats and stage. Editor of the magazine "Rundbrief" (Film and Media Office Lower Saxony). Director and screenwriter for a series of documentaries on German literature. Cornelia Köhler is a board member of Women in Film and Television Germany.

Sabina Kaluza

Freelance conceptual artist. Born in Bytom, Poland. Studied free art at the HBK Braunschweig, then master student of John Armleder.

Antimo Sorgente

Composer and sound designer. He studied sound art at the HBK Braunschweig and works as a composer for film and theatre.

Dr. Jutta Tränkle

Has been working as a freelance cinematographer and filmmaker for national and international cinema, TV, interactive and art projects since 1999.

Directed by: Marcus Lenz, 96 min.

JURY-STATEMENT

It was not an easy decision but, in the end, the jury decided unanimously to award the prize to the film drama RIVAL. In particular, the almost magical authenticity of the actresses and actors, brought out by director Marcus Lenz, convinced the jury.

With great skill, the filmmaker explores pressing political themes via a family drama told from the – carefully crafted – perspective of a Ukrainian boy who follows his illegally working mother to Germany. The film captures the audience with its unorthodox, at times provocative imagery. In a unique way, the filmmaker succeeds to use the landscape of Lower Saxony as powerful setting for his film.

Special mention goes to 18-year old director Victor Gütay with his independent film IN MY SHADOW (MEIN SCHATTEN ÜBER MIR). Gütay is an astonishing all-round talent: His multi-facetted and insightful film in which he acted as director, producer, cinematographer, screenwriter, editor, and composer, is a truly remarkable debut. With their special mention, the jury members encourage Gütay to continue his path as filmmaker.