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DW Akdemie | Moving pictures, changing perspectives
DW MA-Bild Natascha Schwanke

"We believe in film as a driver for development, not only for the economy but for society as a whole. We want to promote authentic African stories that invite us to change perspectives and to think outside the box. The African creative sector plays a crucial role in promoting freedom of expression on the continent."

Natascha Schwanke, Director of Media Development, DW Akademie

Generation Africa
Filmstill The Last Shelter

'Generation Africa' at the Africa Film Festival Cologne

Filmmakers from South Sudan, Nigeria, Mali and The Gambia discuss the impact of their work on the issue of migration.
Berlinale 2022
  • Berlinale 2022

    Powerful films, impressive people – DW Akademie at the Berlinale!

    Authentic stories in the spotlight

    Films give us new perspectives while driving the development of society and the economy. That is why DW Akademie supports filmmakers worldwide with funding from the German government (BMZ). In "No U-Turn," Ike Nnaebue brings people – who often only appear as statistics – to life and allows them to have their say as they set out on the path through Africa to a better future.

  • Berlinale 2022 | Ike Nnaebue

    Powerful films, impressive people – DW Akademie at the Berlinale!

    Filmmaker Ike Nnaebue focuses on migration from an African perspective

    "It’s been quite a journey, and the film is a journey as well" is how Nigerian director Ike Nnaebue described his experience with "No U-Turn" at its premiere in the storied Zoo Palast cinema. The filmmaker is already an accomplished director in "Nollywood", and his first documentary brought him to Berlin. The film is a part of the DW Akademie project "Generation Africa".

  • Film still No U Turn von Ike Nnaebue

    Powerful films, impressive people – DW Akademie at the Berlinale!

    Documentary Award: Special Mention for "No U-Turn"

    "We give the Special Mention to a film that sensitively gives voice to the people of Nigeria who are in a state of constant transit in their desperate search for a viable future. We rejoice with Ike Nnaebue and his team for 'No U-Turn'," said Susanne Schüle, jury member for the Berlinale Documentary Award.

  • Filmszene Still No U-Turn

    Powerful films, impressive people – DW Akademie at the Berlinale!

    "I wanted to understand better the kind of hope that transcends the fear of danger"

    In his film, Ike Nnaebue traces the overland migrant route from Nigeria to Europe – a journey he once attempted himself. In conversations, he explains the longings of the people in West Africa. When he meets Laura and Sandra, he knows that his film will end with them. Unlike Nnaebue, the women are planning to continue their journey and cross from Morocco to Europe in a rubber dinghy (film scene).

  • Deutschland, Berlin | Regisseur Ike Nnaebue und Don Edkins, Berlinale 2022

    Powerful films, impressive people – DW Akademie at the Berlinale!

    "Generation Africa" film series: 25 documentary films on migration

    "The Generation Africa project has shown us that much can be achieved in documentary film through collaboration within the continent and internationally and building capacity within," said Don Edkins (left), executive producer with STEPS. Together with DW Akademie, STEPS supports African filmmakers like Ike Nnaebue (right) who focus on migration and the future of young people in Africa.

  • Berlinale 2022

    Powerful films, impressive people – DW Akademie at the Berlinale!

    The African film industry: International attention, local development

    "Generation Africa" offers filmmakers support and training in story development, dramaturgy, production and post-production. Global attention for African film productions – such as "No Simple Way Home" – improves professional opportunities for filmmakers on the continent. Together with its partners, DW Akademie is working to strengthen emerging film industries in the Global South.

  • Berlinale 2022 | Filmemacherin Akuol de Mabior

    Powerful films, impressive people – DW Akademie at the Berlinale!

    Akuol de Mabior's personal documentary debut: "No Simple Way Home"

    Akuol de Mabior was 16 years old when her father was killed in a helicopter crash just three weeks after his inauguration as South Sudan's vice president. Her father, John Garang de Mabior, led the liberation movement for more than 20 years. Today he is revered as the founding father of South Sudan. Yet the documentary "No Simple Way Home" is much more than a family history.

  • Filmszene No Simple Way Home von Akuol de Mabior,

    Powerful films, impressive people – DW Akademie at the Berlinale!

    "No Simple Way Home": First festival entry from South Sudan

    The civil war has left its scars and peace is still fragile. Within this context, director Akuol de Mabior accompanies her mother Rebecca Nyandeng as she becomes the first female vice president of South Sudan. The film is not only an intimate portrait of the "mother of the nation", but creates access to the past, the present and the future of the country.

  • Film No Simple Way Home von Akuol de Mabior

    Powerful films, impressive people – DW Akademie at the Berlinale!

    Family and country: What does home mean?

    Akuol de Mabior does not provide a simple answer in her film "No Simple Way Home". The filmmaker was born and raised in exile. While both her mother and her sister Nyankuir have found their roles in the new country of South Sudan, Akuol de Mabior wonders how the civil war-torn country can ever become her home. "I will be thinking about it forever."

  • Berlinale 2022 | Akuol de Mabior, Nyankuir Garang de Mabior, Sam Soko und Don Edkins

    Powerful films, impressive people – DW Akademie at the Berlinale!

    Films from Africa, for Africa: Great cinema in local languages

    "I can't wait for us to show this film in South Sudan," said Don Edkins (right) of STEPS, pictured here with the film team after the premiere in Berlin. The South African non-profit organization STEPS is committed to bringing cinema to rural regions in Africa. To this end, "No Simple Way Home" will also be subtitled in local languages to better reach diverse audiences.

  • Collage Filmplakate Berlinale

    Powerful films, impressive people – DW Akademie at the Berlinale!

    Crystal Bear for Best Film in Generation 14plus: "Alis"

    "A moving film which, utilizing the simplest of means, creates an unbelievable closeness and intimacy. The protagonists and the audience are all confronted with pain and memories, albeit in a gentle manner. How do I manage to come to terms with my past without falling apart beneath it? The film answers this question with impressive honesty and directness," said the jury.

  • Berlinale | Nicolas van Hemelryck und Clare Weiskopf

    Powerful films, impressive people – DW Akademie at the Berlinale!

    Documentary with impact: Change begins on screen

    Ten young women who once lived on the streets of Bogotá tell of their hopes and dreams in "Alis". Filmmakers Clare Weiskopf and Nicolás van Hemelryck hope to make a difference with their film. Participating in an impact production workshop held by DW Akademie and the partner organization DOC:CO in Colombia helped them design their impact campaign #AlisExiste for social media.


Filmszene Still No U-Turn

"No U-Turn" receives Special Mention

Nigerian director Ike Nnaebue receives Special Mention for his documentary film, part of the Generation Africa series.

“Finding a place under the sun that one can call home”

Ike Nnaebue Regisseur

Filmmaker Ike Nnaebue discusses migration and his new documentary premiering at the Berlinale.
Berlinale 2022

New perspectives: "Films are an engine for development"

Two BMZ supported films are part of Berlinale 2022. Friederike Kärcher, head of division media, culture, creative industries and sports, discusses the initiative behind the films.

Film and development

With the support of filmmakers in emerging film markets, DW Akademie and its partners are actively contributing to social change, freedom of expression and the economic empowerment of local storytellers.

Pressetermin Country Queen

'Country Queen' - Kenya's first hit Netflix series

Producer Kamau Wandung'u spoke to DW Akademie about what the success of "Country Queen" means for Kenya's film industry.
DW Akademie Film Development Fund
Bildmontage Bildergalerie DWA FDF

DW Akademie Film Development Fund announces 2023 grantees

15 filmmakers from Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda – five from each country – have been selected to receive one year of funding, mentorship and training opportunities.
Bildkombo Filmemacher DW

'Our relationship was the story': Film Development Fund

After a year, the inaugural five grants for the DW Akademie Film Development Fund – Ethiopia have come to an end.

DW Akademie Film Development Fund - A growing community

Film production in Africa

A committed group of film experts has come together to select talented filmmakers in Africa. Their efforts are key to the success of the fund's ongoing programs in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda.

In focus
Lara Utian-Preston Edima Otuokon Ladima Foundation

"The talent is there" – Women and film in Africa

We spoke to Lara Utian-Preston, CEO The Ladima Foundation, about the power of pictures and women filmmakers in Africa.
About other projects
Film For Sama Waad al-Kateab

Surviving the war in Syria: Waad al-Kateab's "For Sama"

Waad al-Kateab captured the conflict in Syria and her own life with her camera and edited the footage into an award-winning film. Taking part in DW Akademie workshops helped pave her way to becoming a citizen journalist.
DW Akademie Tunesien | Projekt CinéShabab

Short films from Tunisia: "This screenplay is very close to my heart" 

CinéShabab promotes short film productions in Tunisia and trains young filmmakers with support from DW Akademie. Thanks to the project, Nihèd Rahmani is using the film format to tell her own story.
DW Akademie, media development, short film competition

Short film competition African Women in the time of COVID-19

Filmmakers reveal the extremely difficult circumstances for African women. See the winning entries here.
61st Cartagena Film Festival

Colombia: Potential of South-South cooperation in filmmaking

DW Akademie and the Cartagena Film Festival will be hosting a panel to discuss South-South cooperation in filmmaking.
Film Dreharbeiten - Nairobi Half Life

African stories on movie screens worldwide

Moviegoers rarely get the chance to watch African films. DW Akademie helps African filmmakers gain worldwide exposure.