Hannelore-Elsner-Preisverleihung 2025

In the organizer's words:

Actors fill the screen or the theater space. With a barely perceptible gesture, a barely perceptible look and a tiny change of voice, they can open up a world. Hannelore Elsner was one such actress. The Hannelore Elsner Prize is awarded every year at the FÜNF SEEN FILMFESTIVAL in memory of the actress, who died in 2019. The award, which is endowed with 5,000 euros, honors outstanding achievements by German-speaking actresses. The Hannelore Elsner Award is sponsored by Carsten and Susanne Zehm.

In 2025, the award-winning German actress Leonie Benesch will be honored. She will receive the award in person on September 12, 2025 in the Schlossberghalle Starnberg. Her current film HELDIN will be shown as part of the award ceremony.

Moderation: Christina Wolf (Bayerischer Rundfunk)

The festival will also pay tribute to the actress with a homage and screen the films THE WHITE TAPE, SEPTEMBER 5 and THE TEACHER'S ROOM.

Festival director Matthias Helwig: "I have followed and admired Leonie Benesch's filmmaking for many years. I was therefore not surprised when she celebrated several outstanding successes at short intervals in recent years. Her masterful performances have been instrumental in making the Oscar-nominated THE TEACHER'S ROOM, HEROINE and SEPTEMBER 5 such outstanding arthouse films. But before that, Leonie Benesch has already shone in a variety of roles over many years. We are delighted to be able to present this outstanding actress to our audiences in the Five Lakes Region."

The previous winners of the Hannelore Elsner Award:
2024: Corinna Harfouch
2023: Paula Beer
2022: Sandra Hüller
2021: Birgit Minichmayr
2020: Nina Hoss
2019: Barbara Auer

Price information:

Tickets can be purchased online at www.fsff.de or at the individual venues.