Svenja Böttger

Managing & Artistic Director

Curation Feature Film, Documentary, Middle Length Film and Short Film

T.: +49 681 90689-13
E-Mail

Svenja Böttger has been the Artistic Director of the Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis since 2016 and serves as Co-Managing Director since 2019. She teaches at film schools, is Vice-Chair of the University Council at the Ernst Busch Academy, and advises filmmakers on festival strategies and developing their first film projects. She is co-founder and current chair of AG Filmfestival, initiator of Forum Talentfilm, and actively advocates for talent and film festivals in federal cultural policy.

Theresa Winkler

Head of Program

Curation Feature Film, Documentary, Middle Length Film and Short Film

T.: +49 681 90689-24
E-Mail

Theresa Winkler is Head of Program at the Max Ophuels Filmfestival since 2022. Before, she has been working in the film industry since 2010 and has been involved in numerous film projects for television and cinema after completing her studies in production, film and media analysis with a focus on festival programming. She worked as a production manager in the filmunit at VICE/VIRTUE AUSTRIA, was part of the organisation and film programming team at the Kitzbühel Film Festival and worked at the Diagonale from 2020 to 2023.

Louise Lindlar

Head of MOP-Industry

responsible for Industry program and curation of competitions

+49 1639897026
E-Mail

Louise Lindlar studied cultural studies in Lüneburg and Hildesheim and researched the perception of German-language films. She manifested her focus on film in her programme work at the Braunschweig International Film Festival and at the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW. In addition to curating competitions at the Max Ophuels Filmfestival, Louise Lindlar is also responsible for the industry programme MOP-Industry since 2024.

COMPETITIONS

The Max Ophuels Prize competitions spotlight premiere screenings of innovative debut to third films by emerging German-speaking filmmakers - across feature, documentary, medium-length, and short film formats.

INDUSTRY

MOP-Industry connects emerging German-speaking filmmakers with industry leaders through workshops, panels, and matchmaking events, fostering collaboration and innovation in an inspiring festival environment.

AWARDS

The Max Ophuels Prize honors outstanding debut works in all film categories - Feature, Documentary, Medium-Length, and Short - alongside a development award for treatment concepts from emerging German-speaking talents.

JURYS

Multiple expert juries - including filmmakers, critics, educational experts and youth - select the Max Ophuels Prize winners across artistic, social and technical categories, recognizing excellence in directing, acting, screenwriting and thematic relevance.