Archive notice: This article was originally published on September 9, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Almost one thousand applications were received - a slight increase over the previous year. On average, only one in eight applicants passed the course-specific aptitude tests, although the figures varied greatly by subject. The chances were worst for studying directing: 23 candidates competed for one place. At 3:1, the prospects for aspiring set designers and producers were significantly better. There is no numerus clausus at HFF. Artistic or professional aptitude is the sole deciding factor.
Half of the future students are female. While men dominate sound, cinematography and screenwriting/dramaturgy, women are represented above average in animation, editing and film music. The first-year scenography class is even 100 percent female. Professor Lothar Holler is proud of his “elf class”, which - he is convinced - will make quite a name for itself.
Young people from 38 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas applied. Fourteen percent of the future students are foreign nationals. For several years, HFF has maintained diverse working contacts and relationships with universities in Asia. Perhaps it is no coincidence that one student from India and four students from Korea will come to Babelsberg’s media city to study in October.
As part of the Bologna Process, HFF is converting its course content into bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes. The “Media Studies: Analysis, Aesthetics, Audience” course became a master’s programme three years ago and acting became a bachelor’s programme two years ago. Film music is being added as a master’s programme this year.
Professor Dieter Berner suspects that the availability of internationally comparable degrees may have helped the acting course attract 20 percent more applicants in 2009 than in the previous year. “The standard was very high. After the aptitude tests, 50 applicants remained and were invited to the week-long entrance examination,” Berner relates. “It is a nerve-racking marathon. On the last day, 16 candidates were still shortlisted. In the end, 6 men and 5 women were accepted. As always, tears of disappointment and joy are inevitable after the great strain, but the tough selection process is a first necessary confirmation for venturing down the path towards a difficult career.”
HFF President Professor Dr Wiedemann also sees the increased applicant numbers as a success for Babelsberg as a media location and expresses the hope that new courses will soon enable HFF to bring even more applicants from Germany and abroad to the location.
