The Young Actors Award will be presented for the first time in 2024 and honors an outstanding acting performance by an up-and-coming actor. The award thus continues the IFFMH's rich tradition of promoting up-and-coming filmmakers with a forward-looking focus. The award is endowed with 10,000 euros and, with the exception of the Retrospective, is presented across all sections of the festival. From three nominated young actors* who will be shown at the festival, the international jury will honor what it considers to be the most outstanding performance. The prize is sponsored by the Heidelberg-based consultancy cbs.
Young Actors Award
Winner 2024
Laura Weissmahr
Laura Weissmahr is a multinational actress from Catalonia who has appeared in seven productions to date. These include ›Fanatico‹ by Roger Gual and ›The Offspring‹ by Ventura Durall. She is awarded for her leading role in ›Salve Maria‹. She plays a mother who is unable to develop positive feelings for her baby. The way in which the actress succeeds in translating the film's diverse tonalities between horror, thriller and comedic elements into her performance is remarkable. Her emotional expression changes from scene to scene, sometimes from one moment to the next, and always strikes the right note.