On 1 October, the renowned screenwriter Magnus Vattrodt took over the professorship for screenwriting/dramaturgy at the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln. In the future, he will be in charge of the script major in the bachelor's programme in film at the ifs.

Magnus Vattrodt studied theatre studies at the University of Gießen and is a graduate of the ifs writers' programme. As a screenwriter, he is responsible for numerous award-winning productions such as »Die Wannseekonferenz«, »Unterleuten«, »Ein großer Aufbruch«, »Das Zeugenhaus«, »Das Ende einer Nacht«, »Liebesjahre« and »Der Novembermann« as well as several »Tatort« episodes. His works, including a number of films directed by Matti Geschonneck, have been invited to festivals at home and abroad and have been awarded the Grimme Prize, the German Television Prize, the Golden Camera and the Screenplay Prize of the German Academy of Performing Arts, among others. Most recently, Magnus Vattrodt was awarded the German Television Prize in the category »Best Book Fiction« for »Die Wannseekonferenz« in September. The TV film »Die Bürgermeisterin«, based on his screenplay, will premiere at the Film Festival Cologne on 23 October.

"Dramatic writing is a complex craft. Ideas need free space, but scripts need structure. It always needs discipline. Filmic writing combines madness and method, and I look forward to learning more about what makes writing work together with the students at the ifs," says Magnus Vattrodt about his work and his role as a teacher.

Nadja Radojevic, CEO of the ifs: "We are very pleased that with the appointment of Magnus Vattrodt as screenplay professor we have been able to gain such a renowned and versatile writer for the ifs, who is also a professional training alumnus of the ifs. A warm welcome!"

Founded in 2000, the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln is one of the leading training and professional training institutions for audiovisual media in Germany. Its aim is to offer film and media professionals high-quality, future-oriented training in a close interweaving of theory and practice. Its location in the film and media centre of Cologne is particularly characteristic of its claim to be close to the industry. The ifs is a subsidiary of the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW. The degree programmes are offered in cooperation with the TH Köln, and the professors are appointed accordingly by the TH Köln.