Professors
Prof. Uwe Kersken
Masterclass Non-Fiction
Producer, author and director. Co-founder of Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion (CEO until mid-2014), numerous documentary primetime formats, including THE FORGOTTEN ISLAND (BBC, WDR, arte), DIE DEUTSCHEN (20 x 45' ZDF); UPDATE 2057, The World In 50 Years (3 x 50' Discovery US, Science Channel, ZDF, NHK, arte), DIE JUDEN, Geschichte eines Volkes (5 x 45' ARD, arte, Filmstiftung, Medea,Telepool) From 2014 Developer and producer of drama projects for G5fiction and partners, such as DUELL DER BRÜDER (RTL), GOLDJUNGS (Das Erste, Degeto. ) 2024 Screenplay funding for »TOWER OF DAUGHTERS« by the Film und Medienstiftung NRW.
Uwe Kersken initiated and designed the »Masterclass Non-Fiction« training programme at the ifs in 2009 and, as Head of Content, is significantly involved in the further development of the programme and the supervision of participants. In 2014, he was appointed honorary professor by the TH Köln.
Vita
Graduate psychologist and psychotherapist, since 1983 producer, author and director of documentary films and series as well as docu-dramas, primarily in the areas of history & society and science & nature for German and international television.
1970-1982 worked for WDR, including in the Tagesschau editorial department. In the 1980s he also worked as a film sound recordist on location. In 1989, he co-founded Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion and was its managing partner until April 2014. With documentary primetime formats for German and foreign broadcasters, Uwe Kersken has also made a name for himself internationally with Gruppe 5. Selection of his works:
»The Forgotten Island« for BBC & WDR, arte;
»The American Journey« (Humboldt) ZDF and WDR, and BBC,
»Die Juden, Geschichte eines Volkes« 5 x 45', ARD, arte, Medea, Filmstiftung NRW, Telepool,
»The Germans« for ZDF, 20 parts, ZDF
»The Varus Battle« for ZDF & arte, 90'
»Update 2057 - The World in 50 Years« for ZDF, (3) Discovery US, Science Channel, arte, SBS, Sogecable & NHK,
»Welcome to China«, History of China (10) ZDF, Nat Geo US, Discovery US, arte.
»Armageddon - The Impact« ZDF, (3) Discovery US & France 2 (3)
»Dawn of the Oceans« (3) National Geographic US & ZDF
»America Before Columbus« (2) National Geographic US and ZDF
»Planet Egypt« (4) for History Channel US, ZD, arte,
as well as big series like »Fabeltiere« 13x30' for Canal +, ARD and Nat Geo, Filmstiftung NRW, as well as docu-dramas about ADENAUER for SWR, WDR and STRAUSS for BR.
See also: Internet Movie Database.
Uwe Kersken initiated and designed the »Masterclass Non-Fiction« training programme at the ifs in 2009 and, as head of content, is significantly involved in the further development of the programme and the supervision of participants. In 2014, he was appointed honorary professor by the TH Cologne.
In 2014, he launched G5fiction with ZDF-studios. He is responsible for the development, financing & production of drama programmes including »Duell der Brüder«, with Zeitsprung for RTL, and »Goldjungs«, with Zeitsprung for Das Erste, WDR & Degeto. Several historical series are in development. 2024 Screenplay funding for his historical series »Turm der Töchter« from the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW.