Highlights from Filmfest München 2024
The Filmfest München 2024, one of Germany’s most prestigious film festivals, celebrated its 41st edition with an impressive array of films, events, and star-studded appearances. Known for its eclectic mix of international cinema, the festival once again highlighted the best in filmmaking from around the globe. The festival was held from June 28 to July 7, 2024 and featured a number of competitions, including documentaries about well-known singers and new works by the stars, news from German television and cinema, and a children’s film festival. There were 150 films from 50 nations screened in total, six of which were world premieres of international productions. Filmfest München 2024 was a celebration of cinematic excellence, diversity, and innovation. From groundbreaking debuts to masterful retrospectives, the festival offered something for everyone, leaving attendees with unforgettable memories and a renewed appreciation for the art of film. As the curtains closed on this year’s festival, anticipation already builds for what Filmfest München 2025 will bring.
Award Winners
The prestigious CineMerit Award, which honors outstanding personalities in the film industry, was presented to the Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet who also attended the festival for the European premiere of “Lee,” in which she plays model-turned-war photographer Lee Miller. The Munich CineMerit Prize was given for Winslet’s lifetime achievements; the moderator of the ceremony made a joke, “You have won every prize under the sun, but this is the one you are missing.” However, the actress spoke most passionately about “Lee,” the movie that she has been working on for the better part of a decade and the first picture on which she was given full credit as a producer.
The Munich International Film Festival also presented this year’s CineMerit Award to actress Jessica Lange, a two-time Oscar winner, in recognition of her “remarkable contributions to the world of cinema.” Apart from winning two Academy Awards (1983 for best supporting actress in Tootsie and 1995 for best actress in Blue Sky), Lange is also proud of her six nominations overall for the Oscars, three Emmys (from ten nominations), five Golden Globes (from sixteen nominations), and one Tony.
