German Documentary Film Award 2025

We are overjoyed! For the first time, one of the most important documentary film awards in the German-speaking world will be awarded at the IFFMH. This prestigious prize includes the Main Award, a Development Award, and a Music Film Award.

Courage and a passion for reality – that’s what outstanding documentaries are all about. That’s why we are especially proud to give the German Documentary Film Award a new home at our festival this year. The Main Award, endowed with €20,000, is sponsored by SWR and MFG, with the participation of the State Institute for Communication. The nominees this year are ›Baldiga – Unlocked Heart‹ by Markus Stein and Ringo Rösener, ›The Family Approach‹ by Daniel Abma, and ›Facing Cancer‹ by Volker Heise. The Development Award, worth €3,000, is presented by the Haus des Dokumentarfilms – Europäisches Medienforum Stuttgart e.V. The nominees are ›Der dritte Bruder‹ by Kathrin Jahrreiß, ›Der Wunsch by Judith Beuth, and ›Tell Them About Us‹ by Rand Beiruty. The Music Film Prize, endowed with €5,000, is sponsored by SWR. The nominees are ›Beethoven’s Ninth – Ode to Humanity‹ by Larry Weinstein, ›MPS – The Legend Lives On‹ by Sascha Schmidt, and ›Sisterqueens‹ by Clara Stella Hüneke.

The prizes will be presented during our award ceremony on November 13 at the Karlstorbahnhof Heidelberg. Admission is free, but a €0 ticket is required. The recipient of the Main Award will be screened during our festival on November 14 2025 at Cinema Gloria in Heidelberg.