The film drama "In die Sonne schauen" (Looking Into the Sun) has been named the best feature film at the German Film Prize, the country's most prestigious award for filmmakers. Director Mascha Schilinski received the coveted Golden Lola at a gala ceremony held on Friday evening in Berlin. The event was briefly disrupted by technical issues before proceedings resumed.
The Silver Lola in the best feature film category went to "Gelbe Briefe" (Yellow Letters), which had previously won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. The Bronze Lola was awarded to "Ach, diese Lücke, diese entsetzliche Lücke" (Oh, This Gap, This Terrible Gap). Schilinski also shared the award for best screenplay with co-writer Louise Peter for their work on "In die Sonne schauen" (Looking Into the Sun).
August Diehl was recognised with the award for best male lead for his performance in "Das Verschwinden des Josef Mengele" (The Disappearance of Josef Mengele). Senta Berger took home the prize for best female lead for her role in "Ach, diese Lücke, diese entsetzliche Lücke" (Oh, This Gap, This Terrible Gap).
In the non-fiction category, "Siri Hustvedt - Dance Around the Self" was named best documentary, while "Zirkuskind" (Circus Child) won best children's film.
The honorary award this year went to director, screenwriter and producer Wim Wenders, a decision that had been announced ahead of the ceremony. The 80-year-old was praised as an "absolutely unique" filmmaker and an "icon of world cinema" for over five decades. Wenders is known for celebrated works such as "Paris, Texas," "Der Himmel über Berlin" (Wings of Desire) and "Buena Vista Social Club." His Japanese-language film "Perfect Days," which tells the story of a man working as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film on behalf of Japan in 2024.
The Lola has been awarded annually since 1951 and is regarded as the most important German accolade for professionals in the film industry. In addition to feature films, the ceremony also honours documentaries and children's films. The total prize money across all categories amounts to nearly three million euros, with winners decided by members of the German Film Academy.
Last year, the award went to "September 5," a film about the 1972 Munich Olympics attack. In 2024, the drama "Sterben" (Dying) by director Matthias Glasner claimed the Golden Lola.
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