One hundred and four: Drama about 104 people in the Mediterranean wins the Grimme Prize!

One hundred and four: Drama about 104 people in the Mediterranean wins the Grimme Prize!

The documentary “One Hundred Four” by director and cameraman Jonathan Schörnig, who studies at the Bauhaus University Weimar, has won the coveted Grimme Prize 2025 in the “Information & Culture” category. The Grimme Institute announced this today. The award is considered one of the most important German television awards and has been presented since 1964. The film focuses on the rescue of 104 refugees from a sinking dinghy in the Mediterranean and illuminates the dramatic situation from the perspective of the rescuers.

“One Hundred Four” follows the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean and documents the sea rescue in real time. Filmed with several cameras, the parallel actions of the rescuers and the increasingly critical situation of the refugees are recorded. The film is particularly explosive due to the appearance of the Syrian coast guard, which escalates the situation. The lifeboat is only able to land when a storm begins, which impressively illustrates the fragility and urgency of such operations.

Critical topics and social relevance

After the award ceremony, director Jonathan Schörnig expressed his joy about the award and emphasized the importance of the topic, which is closely linked to flight and migration. These topics have become more urgent in the German media landscape as well as in society. The Grimme Institute underlined the social relevance of all award-winning productions and emphasized that current challenges such as escape, migration, right-wing extremism and sexual violence are addressed.

“One Hundred Four” joins a list of outstanding documentaries that were honored at the Grimme Prize this year. A total of 18 prizes were awarded, with Schörnig and his team already being honored with the Golden Dove for this film at the DOK Leipzig festival in 2023. The first publication in the ARD media library in October 2024 also led to qualification for the Grimme Prize.

Special awards and other prize winners

While “One Hundred Four” shines in the “Information & Culture” category, prizes were awarded in the fiction category to various series, including “Appropriately Angry,” “The Doubtful,” and “Fertmachen.” In the entertainment sector, formats such as “The Teddy Teclebrhan Show” and “Player of Ibiza” were convincing. Maren Kroymann received her fourth Grimme Prize at this ceremony, which underlines her stability and relevance in the industry.

In summary, the success of “One Hundred Four” not only illustrates the quality of the documentary work of Jonathan Schörnig and his team, but also the ongoing social discussion about refugees and humanitarian challenges in the Mediterranean. The film not only offers a raw look at the events, but also raises awareness of the complex human fates behind the news.