How to entertain: “Masterclass Entertainment” at the ifs

•    Part-time professional training in non-fictional entertainment 
•    Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios are once again industry partners

In November 2025, a new cohort of the »Masterclass Entertainment« will start at the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln. The compact professional training on non-fictional entertainment is aimed at creative talents from the editorial and production departments in the entertainment industry who want to expand their know-how in the field of non-fictional entertainment and qualify for creative management tasks.
Over a period of six months, from November 2025 to April 2026, the »Masterclass Entertainment« offers an intensive part-time training in which core creative skills for the entertainment industry are taught. The training focuses on storytelling, format development and creative leadership – key aspects of creative management and innovation in a changing market. The targeted use of AI in the creative process will also be discussed and tested. Networking events promote networking between participants and with the industry. The three three-day on location modules at the ifs are supplemented by online sessions on exclusive industry insights and case studies. The registration deadline is September 1, 2025.

As strong cooperation partners from the industry, Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios support the programme both financially and in terms of content with experts such as Volker Neuenhoff, Head of Entertainment German Originals at Amazon MGM Studios, the film and TV production and development department of Prime Video. In addition, Prime Video's funding enables the awarding of scholarships.

Philip Pratt, Head of German Originals, Amazon MGM Studios: "We at Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios are very proud of the renewed collaboration with the ifs as part of the ‘Masterclass Entertainment’ and the associated trust in our expertise. We are continuously investing in the development of innovative non-fictional entertainment formats. We are underlining this commitment with upcoming highlights such as the quiz game show ‘The Yes or No Games’ and the adventure reality show ‘The Summit’. By collaborating with the ifs, we want to specifically promote young creative talent and thus make a valuable contribution to the future of the entertainment industry."

Jennifer Mival, ifs Professor of Entertainment Producing: "The entertainment industry is undergoing fundamental change due to a flood of digital distribution options and the use of AI. The 6-month Masterclass Entertainment is a unique training opportunity for anyone who wants to prepare for the future in the areas of storytelling, format development and creative leadership. We are delighted that Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios are once again supporting us as cooperation partners with their extensive expertise and are also providing scholarships."

In addition to Professor Jennifer Mival and Volker Neuenhoff (Head of Entertainment German Originals, Amazon MGM Studios), the Masterclass will be taught by other high-profile players from the entertainment industry, including Catherine Harwardt, Chief Executive Producer & Head of Documentary, DRIVE beta, Hannes Jakobsen, Founder and CEO of DRIVE beta, Constance Rimbach, Leadership Trainer & Business Coach, Bernhard Sonnleitner, Vice President International Scouting & Trends, Seven. One Entertainment Group, and Fabian Tobias, CEO Endemol Shine Germany.

The ifs is responding to the high pressure to innovate and the great economic and cultural importance of entertainment production, not least in NRW, with its professional training programme in entertainment. 
The ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln has been offering professional training in the field of non-fictional entertainment in various formats since 2019. In 2021, the first »Master's programme Entertainment Producing« in German-speaking countries followed at the ifs under the direction of Professor Jennifer Mival.

Founded in 2000, the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln is now one of the leading training institutions for audiovisual media in Germany. The ifs offers film and media professionals a high-quality, future-oriented education that closely combines theory and practice. The fact that it is located in the film and media centre of Cologne is particularly characteristic of its claim to be close to the industry. The sole principal partner of the ifs is the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW.