New Masterclass: Female Power in Film and Culture celebrates its premiere!

New Masterclass: Female Power in Film and Culture celebrates its premiere!

On March 8, 2025, International Women's Day, six new episodes of the “Masterclass” interview series will be available in the ZDFmediathek. This season highlights female perspectives in the film industry and the changing narrative focus in current films. Karim Sebastian Elias, who conducts the interviews, talks to well-known artists about their experiences, challenges and visions in the industry. The series is realized almost exclusively by students and alumni of the Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF Film University and receives support from the GEMA Foundation.

In this new season, various key people from the film and media industry have their say. The participants include the actress and producer Maria Furtwängler, who discusses her role in the drama “Until Truth” and her commitment to gender equality. Screenwriter Heide Schwochow also provides insights into the challenges associated with writing female characters, as well as her activities at the Themis trust against sexual harassment. Composer Annette Focks addresses the creative process in film music and explains how women are recognized in their field.

Insights into different perspectives

İlker Çatak, a renowned director, reflects on the narrative of strong female protagonists and the necessary changes on the film set. Christian Schwochow talks about the staging and use of female main characters in his films, while camerawoman Julia Daschner presents her visual approach and image design. These discussions are particularly relevant as they address current issues of gender equity and representation in the film industry.

The President of the Film University, Prof. Dr. Susanne Stürmer, emphasizes the relevance of the topics of equality, freedom from discrimination and tolerance. These values ​​are central to today's discussions about gender issues, not only in the film industry, but also in the entire cultural sector. Studies such as the data report by Gabriele Schulz and Olaf Zimmermann on the economic and social situation in the cultural sector show that the gender pay gap in 2022 was 24% - women in the artists' social security fund therefore earn significantly less than their male colleagues.

Challenges of gender equality

These topics are not new. The surveys about the living situation of female artists and the challenges they face in balancing work, family and leaders in theaters are also important. A large number of studies, e.g. the progress study on audiovisual diversity, are dedicated to gender representation in film and television and shed light on structural exclusions that still exist.

The “Masterclass” series is therefore not only an entertaining format, but also an important contribution to the discussion about equality and diversity in the film industry. It promotes the visibility of female voices and perspectives and encourages further conversations in society. The connection between art and social issues is recognized as a step in the right direction to fight for equality and recognition.

The initiatives to promote gender equality in culture are essential. The master class is an example of how educational institutions, such as the Babelsberg Film University, use artistic expression to address important social issues and bring about change.