The Hofer Goldpreis at the 55th International Hofer Filmtage in 2021 is awarded in equal parts to director and graduate of the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln, Alisa Kolosova, for her ifs graduation film »CHARLY«, and to director Lukas Röder for his film »Gehirntattoo«.
The Hof Gold Prize, awarded by the Friedrich Baur Foundation, honors a director’s debut feature-length film produced in Germany that premieres in Hof. It is currently endowed with approximately €36,000 in certified gold, making it one of the most highly endowed prizes for emerging filmmakers. The prize is awarded by the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts in memory of Heinz Badewitz and includes a one-year mentorship program, which this year will be led by jury member Philip Gröning—filmmaker and head of the Film and Media Art Department at the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts.
In the feature film »CHARLY« (Director: Alisa Kolosova, Script: Zoe Hagen, Producer: Luisa Beuschlein, DoP: Antonia Schäfer, Editing & Sound Design: Lukas Sydney Loßdörfer, Production Design: Lea Preuße, 60 min.), the eponymous protagonist, while attempting to return to her fiancé, embarks on an unexpected journey filled with extraordinary encounters that instead lead her on a path to self-discovery. The ifs graduation film was funded by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW.
Juror Philip Gröning explained: “Cinema is a measuring instrument. It can measure everything. But the heart of that measurement is the viewer themselves. How Charly, wandering dreamlike through Germany after the breakdown of her relationship, rebuilds and heals herself and her worldview—that is one aspect of the story told here. But how a Germany—and people and situations that have all been lost to media exploitation—slowly become visible again here is the other aspect. It is not something that is told. It is rather something that happens to the viewer. In the best sense of the word. The film’s form ultimately follows Charly’s meandering journey: moving away from a logic of personal and narrative function and toward a logic of interconnectedness, of coincidences that seem pointless yet ultimately make sense. We watch this unfold—a process of shedding one’s skin that becomes growth. Slowly, multilayered, poetically.”
Director and award winner Alisa Kolosava: “‘Charly’ was a labor of love for all of us. This award goes to each and every one of us who poured our heart and soul into this film. I am so happy and proud that our work is being rewarded with this special honor and recognition. For me personally, it means that I will continue to be supported and encouraged in my work as a director. This is not only a great compliment, but above all, it gives me courage and strength. Many thanks to the Hof Film Festival, the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts, and the Friedrich Baur Foundation for this honor!” said director and award winner Alisa Kolosova.