Since 2002, the Association of German Advertising Film Producers (VDW) has presented the VDW Award. This year’s competition carries the slogan “Alles auf die 07” and is organised and produced by Frankfurt-based Group.IE. Until 3 August, anyone involved in making an advertising film can apply for one of the prizes named after VDW Award founder Hatto Kurtenbach. The winners will be announced and the 15 “Hattos” presented at a ceremony in Frankfurt am Main on 29 September.
The award reflects the fact that well over 1,000 advertising films are produced for cinema and television in Germany each year, with growing international attention and recognition. According to the association, its current 38 members represent around 75 percent of Germany’s advertising-film production volume.
“The VDW Award recognises the artistic quality of exceptional advertising-film productions while putting the people involved in the foreground,” said Uta-Sabine Haerlin, managing director of the VDW in Hamburg. Alongside the best national, student and international advertising films, the VDW Award particularly recognises individual creative achievement. “Hattos” will therefore be presented in 15 categories on 29 September, including directing, script, cinematography, editing, visual effects, animation, make-up, styling, production design and set design, sound design, casting and music.
The organisers expect lively participation in the 2007 VDW Award. Haerlin said that the general economic situation had improved significantly in recent months and was also having a positive effect on the advertising-film industry, with production increasing again. The number of entries alone, however, would not determine the success of the established competition. The VDW Award primarily aims to provide a forum for the field’s creatives. To underline that goal, the claim introduced last year, “Die Familie trifft sich”, has also been retained for the 2007 event.
