PrepClass

Preperation class for international applicants
Photo: Grzegorz Karkoszka

The PrepClass prepares prospective international students for their application at the Film University.

Dates: 17-21/ 25 May, 1/8 & 14-18 June , 6 July 2021

Language: English
Number of participants: 6Location: ONLINE*
Costs: Free of charge 

* except for the excursion in June, provided that this is in accordance to the general measurements of the Filmuni in order to counteract further spread of the coronavirus

The PrepClass is directed at prospective international students who would like to apply to a degree program at the Film University. The class offers a mix of practical exercises, individual course guidance, and help with creating compelling application documents and work samples. This workshop particularly addresses immigrants as prospective students.

The preparation class takes place in the summer term and consists of two parts: orientation & mentoring, as well as an experimental short film-workshop ‘Die Insel’.

The course is free of charge and will be held in English.

Applications are closed.

Content & Objectives

Orientation & Mentoring

Participants will learn about the variety of study opportunities at the Film University in Babelsberg – from Bachelor to Master Degree, artistic study programs. If you are interested in our study program, we will support you with your application.

Alumni of the Film University will deliver insights into practice and talk about their experiences with the application process as well as the study program and their professional career. This way the PrepClass participants learn from former students and get valuable input and feedback for their own start into the film industry.

Current students of the Film University will accompany the PrepClass participants until the application process is finished. They will help with individual and personal counseling and support the participants with the preparation of the application and the application film.

In addition to that, the participants will get individual counseling meetings with lecturers from different study programs to clarify individual questions regarding the application.

‘Die Insel’ – with Jean Boué

‘Die Insel’ is an experimental short film workshop in which international applicants and students of the Film University will develop a short film idea from script to screen.

In three storytelling workshops the participants will develop an idea for a short film which will be realized on an excursion in Brandenburg. Participants may choose a subject to inspire their film, or participate in the suggested theme of arriving in an unknown surrounding. The goal of this workshop is to connect PrepClass participants with students from the Film University by working hands-on as well as gaining experience with student film productions.

The Summer School will cover the costs of accommodation for the excursion, travel and meals will be paid by the participants themselves.

Past Run

A couple of projects which were finalized during the PrepClass run of 2017 and 2018: The audio play "Damascus Requiem" and two movies. „The Letter“, „A Piece of German History“, "Berlin Disappears", "Erdbe" and "Light", which were all shown in an open university context. "Damascus Requiem" was awarded the AMIKO Award 2018.

The PrepClass will be held for the fifth time in 2021.

Dates

17. May, 2 pm - 6 pm

Opening event
18. May, 2 pm - 6 pmInsights into practice: Directing with alumna Josephine Links
19. May, 2 pm - 6 pmInsights into practice: Editing with alumna Brigitte M. Schmidle
20. May, 2 pm - 6 pmInsights into practice: Cinematography with alumnus Samuel Hölscher
21. May, 2 pm - 6 pmInsights into practice: Scriptwriting with MA student Ghiath Mhitawi
25. May, 2 pm - 6 pmStorytelling-Workshop „Die Insel“ with Jean Boué and students of the Film University
01. June, 2 pm - 6 pmStorytelling-Workshop „Die Insel“ with Jean Boué and students of the Film University
08. June, 2 pm - 6 pmStorytelling-Workshop „Die Insel“ with Jean Boué and students of the Film University
14.-18. JuneField trip and film shoot „Die Insel“
06. JulyClosing event and project presentation, feedback and review, next steps in the application process

 

Mentors

Josephine Links is a film director. She studied European Ethnology and Film Studies in Berlin from 2003 to 2007. Then, from 2007 on she was a student for film directing at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, from where she graduated with her documentary „In The Beginning“ in 2013. Since then she has been working as a freelance director in Berlin. Her films have won various prizes and gained recognition at numerous national and international film festivals.
PrepClass | Brigitte M. Schmidle
Brigitte Maria Schmidle studied media and information at the Offenburg University of Applied Sciences specializing in film editing. After engagements in London and Berlin, she worked at the Leipzig-based production company Accentus Music on internationally awarded films. Brigitte Maria Schmidle is currently studying at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF Montage (MFA) and has so far edited over twenty documentaries, short and feature films as well as animations. Among others, the documentary "Barbara Hannigan - An Opera Star on New Ways" and "Silvia is my Name".
PrepClass | Ghiath Al Mhitawi
Ghiath Al Mhitawi is a playwright, dramaturge and filmmaker from Damascus, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre studies from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus, Syria. He worked as a trainer and writer for social theatre in Syria and Lebanon and conducts research in the realm of theatre. His play the final Return was presented at the Royal Court Theatre (London) in 2015. His second play The Abyss was performed at the Edinburgh International Festival 2019 as part of the International Climate Crisis plays. Since 2019 he is studying Master of Arts in Screenwriting and Dramaturgy at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF where he wrote and directed 2 short films. He is currently co writing in ZDF series Like me and many other film projects and series in Germany and in the Middle east.
PrepClass | Samuel Hölscher
Samuel Hölscher is a freelancing filmmaker, cinematographer and photographer and studied Cinematography at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF from 2015 to 2019. He received the German Young Talent Award for his work in “Like in Africa” and his short film “Nach dem Fest” received a nomination at the german short film awards as well as the rating “Outstanding Value”. Samuel now studies Architecture at the University of the Arts Berlin and is working on the artistic connection between film and architecture. Besides working on free projects in documentary and feature films he is also working for the Humboldt Forum Berlin, David Chipperfield Architects, the Design Research Lab of the University of the Arts in Berlin and the publishing group Öttinger in Hamburg.

Workshop instructor

Jean Boué is an author, director and producer of documentary formats for public television and cinema. Many of his films have been broadcasted internationally and shown at festivals. His films have been awarded the German Grimme Prize and the European Civis Award, among others. He holds scholarships from DEFA and the Robert Bosch Foundation. In 2000, Jean Boué founded the production company JABfilm. He is a member of the German Documentary Association Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dokumentarfilm and the German Filmakademie. Since 2013, he is a regular lecturer at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF.

PrepClass | Jean Boué

Application and Admission

The PrepClass particularly addresses immigrants who live in Germany as prospective students. Whether you are interested in a bachelor or master degree, during the PrepClass the participants will get to know the different artistic study programs as well as their entrance requirement.

Applicants need to be at least 18 years of age and have already gained practical experiences.

After your successful online registration you’ll receive an application form. Please fill out the form and send it back to us.

Based on that application form we will invite you to a personal interview, which will take place between 22-26 March 2021.

The PrepClass is supported by the State of Brandenburg within the network ESiSt - "Erfolgreicher Studieneinstieg für internationale Studierende im Bundesland Brandenburg" and by the German Academic Exchange Service and its programme Welcome – Students Helping Refugees, financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

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