A lighthouse project in the Görlitz film region

With the founding of Sächsische Filmakademie GmbH by its three shareholders —Allianz Deutscher Produzenten - Film und Fernsehen e.V. (Production Alliance), the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, and Europastadt GörlitzZgorzelec GmbH, a flagship project for promoting skilled professionals and nurturing young talent in the Görlitz film region is now underway. This network of expertise—comprising the film industry, educational institutions, and local government—serves as a model for a strong and sustainable structure designed to effectively address the shortage of skilled professionals and workers in the film industry.

To mark the founding of Sächsische Filmakademie GmbH, a press conference was held in Görlitz on August 19, 2024. During the event, the following speakers addressed the media:

Octavian Ursu, Mayor of Görlitz

“With the Saxon Film Academy, we have succeeded in forging a unique network connecting the private film industry, the public sector, and educational institutions. This gives Görlitz and the region a whole new level of national and international significance as a film and production hub.”

Conrad Clemens, Head of the State Chancellery of Saxony and Minister of State for Federal Affairs and Media, Plenipotentiary of the Free State of Saxony to the Federal Government

“With the new ownership structure, we have forged a strong network that will significantly strengthen Görlitz as a film city and Saxony as a film region in the face of nationwide competition. To restore Germany’s competitiveness as a production hub on the international stage, we are advocating for a major film reform in addition to supporting emerging talent. We must create good framework conditions for German and international productions by restructuring film funding and implementing an attractive tax incentive model, so that cinematic stories are not only told about Germany but also created here.”

Björn Böhning, CEO and Spokesperson for the Executive Board of the Production Alliance

“Film loves Görlitz, and Görlitz loves film. With the support of the Saxon producers Saxonia Media and Looks Film GmbH, we are committing for the first time to education and training in the film industry through a regional structural project. This will provide a boost to employment and skills development in Saxony and the Görlitz region. As managing director, Grit Wißkirchen represents the entire network of expertise within the company’s shareholder structure with her experience as a producer and her many years of commitment to the industry. With her at the helm, the Saxon Film Academy will become a flagship project for education and training in the Görlitz film region and beyond.”

Grit Wißkirchen, film producer and managing director of Sächsische Filmakademie GmbH

“The shareholders’ network of expertise is unique in Germany. It is particularly valuable that the Saxon production companies Saxonia Media and Looks Film are on board. We will train film-enthusiastic students and individuals with professional occupations in specialized film fields and develop them into much-needed skilled workers. This strengthens Görlitz as a film hub, Saxony as a film region, Central Germany as a media hub, and our entire industry.”

André Naumann, Managing Director of Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM) GmbH

“When the Saxon Film Academy began its work three years ago, we were involved in the brainstorming process alongside the city of Görlitz, the state of Saxony, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, and various stakeholders in the film industry. The fact that the Saxon Film Academy is now becoming a limited liability company (GmbH) is a true milestone that takes the academy—and thus its training programs—to an entirely new level. After all, the urgent need for good-trained professionals in film-related trades remains high. That is why I congratulate Görlitz and the Academy on this promising step.”