2025 Programming Award

Deadline: April 1, 2025

The DEFA Film Library launched a Programming Award in celebration of its 30th anniversary in 2023. This award of up to $1,000 will be offered annually for three years (2023-2025).

 

OUR GOALS

- encourage and increase learning about East German cinema among broader and more diverse audiences, including at high schools, museums, and community-based organizations;

- position East German cinema in an international context;

- foster interdisciplinary and intersectional conversations.

 

ELIGIBILITY

US or international scholars/researchers, teachers and cultural programmers curating or organizing events with DEFA films.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should submit:

 

  • a short CV or resume,
  • a completed Project Description Form (see file below),
  • a letter endorsing the project from someone well-placed to evaluate its impact and the likelihood of its success, and
  • a working budget.

 

- An itemized budget should outline the entire project, including in-kind contributions and co-sponsorships. Such projects might require in-kind contributions from other sponsors that have been arranged, requested or planned (e.g., donation of a venue, institutional funds, free office space or copying, etc.).

- Examples for what the award money may be used for are: screening and space rental fees, transportation costs (e.g., for a speaker) and/or designing and printing publicity materials (posters, flyers, social media).

- It may NOT be used for honoraria, business meals or per diem compensation, refreshments, alcoholic beverages, receptions or lodging.

- The DEFA Film Library reserves the right to suggest the budget items that will be covered by the award.

 

Inquiries and applications should be directed to Mariana Ivanova (Academic Director, DFL). Committee members also include Victoria Rizo Lenshyn (Associate Director, DFL) and Hiltrud Schulz (Outreach and Production Manager, DFL).

 

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

  • The deadline for submissions for the 2025 award is April 1, 2025.
  • The recipient will be announced by May 1, 2025.
  • The award monies must be utilized by June 30, 2026.

 

PROVISIONS

  • All promotional materials must display the DEFA Film Library logo and mention the “DEFA Film Library at the University of Massachusetts Amherst” as a sponsor or co-sponsor.
  • Within 60 days after the end of the event, recipients should submit a final report, including a final budget and copies of receipts and promotional materials.
  • In case the event/project is cancelled, all award money disbursed must be returned to the DEFA Film Library.

 

PROGRAMMING AWARD PROJECTS

 

2024: Katrin Bahr (Centre College) for her project, "Voices of Resilience in the GDR and Germany Today," a three-part virtual event series with film streams and conversations with experts and filmmakers taking place at Centre College (Danville, KY) in fall 2024. The events will be part of Katrin Bahr’s teaching but also open to the public. 

 

2023: Claudia Sandberg (University of Melbourne, Australia) for her project, "Chile in East German Cinema,” which includes screenings with film introduction and Q&A, panel discussion + a master class to take place in Santiago, Chile, in Nov. 2023.

 

 

 

PDFs:

File 2025_PROJECT DESCRIPTION FORM.docx

Associated Films:

Associated People:

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