Hessen Film and Media Academy (hFMA)
address: Hermann-Steinhäuser-Straße 43-47, 2.Fl
63065 Offenbach am Main
Germany
+49 69 830 460 41
please find driving directions here
Acting Managing Director
Prof. Rüdiger Pichler - info(at)hfmakademie.de
Project Managers:
Dr. Marcela Hernández - hernandez(at)hfmakademie.de
Csongor Dobrotka - dobrotka(at)hfmakademie.de
You can reach us from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4:30pm.
Profis Plaudern Praxis (PPP) has been organized since 2010 in cooperation with the Hessian Film and Media Academy (hFMA). It is part of the DokfestEducation section of Kasseler Dokfest, which serves as a platform for the continued education of film and media professionals. Within the framework of a changing annual theme, PPP invites professionals from the fields of production, directing, consulting, and distribution to support emerging talents in finding the right approach to their artistic projects.
This year’s theme, "Focusing on Diversity: Paths to a More Inclusive Film Culture", aims to explore the challenges and opportunities of diversity in film and media production, in film content, and in its presentation.
Diversity encompasses various aspects such as ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and cultural backgrounds. A diverse film industry and culture can help tell stories that better reflect the reality of our society. Promoting diversity leads to increased visibility and opportunities for underrepresented groups – both in front of and behind the camera. This often results in more innovative and authentic narratives that enrich audiences. Presenting such works to the public can help break down stereotypes, expand audiences, and create a more inclusive film experience.
However, there are still many challenges to overcome to build a truly inclusive and diverse film culture, as individuals advocating for diversity frequently encounter numerous personal and structural obstacles.
Four short lectures by this year’s experts offer different perspectives on diversity in film production and culture. A moderated panel discussion contextualizes the topics presented and enables questions from the audience. In one-on-one consultations – held either on-site at Media Education Center North in the KulturBahnhof Kassel or online via Zoom – participants can receive personalized feedback and guidance on their own projects after registering in advance.
PPP’s program is primarily aimed at students from the network of the hFMA and participants of the 16th Hessian University Film Day, but is open to all interested parties.
FREITAG // FRIDAY 21.11. | 11:00 – 17:30
Medienbildungszentrum Nord at KulturBahnhof Kassel
Speakers and experts for one-on-one conversations
Tabea Hosche
Tabea Hosche is a filmmaker, commissioned producer for public broadcasting, and a journalist focusing on disability and inclusion. She is herself the mother of a daughter with physical and cognitive impairments. She has created three autobiographical documentary films about life with her daughter and the two siblings. Her work has received numerous awards. She studied Modern German Literature and Political Science, completed a journalistic traineeship, and is a graduate of the Master school for Documentary Film.
Between Admiration and Pity – On the Portrayal of People with Disabilities
Tabea Hosche provides practical advice on how to make documentary films about people with disabilities without resorting to clichés and outdated stereotypes. In her presentation, she will discuss the portrayal of people with disabilities in film and television and, using her autobiographical films about her daughter as examples, she will highlight her own experience of what is important to consider when filming people with various impairments.
Julia Fiechter
Julia Fiechter, author and creative producer, focuses her work on diversity and BiPoC realities. Born in Zurich, she completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at ZHAW in 2015. After seven years as a TV director in Zurich and Cologne, she began her Master’s in Film at ZHdK in 2023, specializing in Creative Producing. In 2020/2021, she was also responsible for public relations at the Black Film Festival Zurich.
Diversity in Film – an Unconscious or Artistic Decision?
Julia Fiechter speaks about the conscious responsibility and deliberate choice to bring diversity into storytelling—as well as into casting and crew decisions—in an authentic way, avoiding stereotypes and the reproduction of discrimination. Drawing on examples from her own practice, she illustrates how this approach and perspective can be translated into concrete artistic decisions.
Tajo Hurrle
Tajo Hurrle (b. 1998) is a non-binary screenwriter and director whose work focuses on queer narratives and young audiences. They direct award-winning short films like “I am Leo” and write for public broadcasters, including the popular children’s series “Schloss Einstein”.
Queer Storytelling – Case Study “Fuck the Cistem“
Tajo Hurrle shares how they approached their short film “Fuck the Cistem”, which explores the discrimination faced by non-binary people. They discuss the decision to tell this story explicitly for a queer audience and the responsibility involved in depicting discrimination within this context. Using examples from writing and filming, they show how this awareness shaped artistic choices.
Bartholomew Sammut
Bartholomew is a Maltese-Australian, non-binary film curator. They began writing & producing short films then worked for SBS TV on the short film program “Eatcarpet”. In 2006 they founded the XPOSED Queer Film Festival Berlin and in 2009 started working for Berlinale Panorama. In 2015 they established the Queer Short Film Fund, an initiative from XPOSED.
Queering Your Program = Sharing the Joy
Emerging from an annual convergence of Queer Programmers, the Teddy Awards catalysed global visibility for queer cinema, fostering inclusive spaces and a transnational film festival network. This legacy endures through the Queer Your Program event, where filmmakers pitch to this vibrant community. In their talk, Bartholomew Sammut shows how film festivals have become pivotal platforms in shaping and advancing the landscape of Queer Film.
Language of presentation: Englisch // English
// Profis Plaudern Praxis XVII takes place as a hybrid event. Interviews are broadcasted (in the Language of the lecture) at www.kasselerdokfest.de.
The presentations and the panel discussion take place on-site at Media Education Center North at KulturBahnhof Kassel. The subsequent one-on-one sessions take place by appointment as Block I on site and Block II online via Zoom. Projects must be provided beforehand. Short notice participation on site is possible if places are available.
Free registration until November 20 via Anna Bell: bell@kasselerdokfest.de.
