Christian Köster
Emerging Talent Award
2026
Almost anything is possible.
Each year, our Emerging Talent Award is presented to the best unproduced film idea. It gives students, trainees, and emerging creatives the opportunity to turn their concept into a finished film. Career changers and self-taught talent are especially encouraged to apply.
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SAVE THE DATE:
The Christian Köster Emerging Talent Award will take place on October 14, 2026
Dates
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Jul 03Submissions Open
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Aug 26Submissions Deadline
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Sep 30Nominee Announcement
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Oct 13Coaching Nominees
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Oct 14Live Pitch & Awardshow
Information
The winners of the Christian Köster Emerging Talent Award receive €20,000 to bring their film idea to life, along with production support from the members of the German Commercial Film Academy.
In addition, our partner Weischer.Cinema provides a cinema media package worth €15,000, giving the completed film a theatrical release.
The winners also receive a complimentary one-year membership in DRCT, the German Directors Association for Commercial Film and Branded Content, as well as an exclusive mentoring.
You can submit film concepts for real or fictional products, including classic commercials, social media spots, music videos, branded shorts, branded documentaries, and web series. A marketing connection is strongly encouraged, while feature film productions are not eligible.
Your concept must be feasible to produce within the €20,000 production budget.
The winners have approximately five months to bring their concept to life. The completed film will premiere at the German Commercial Film Awards (DWP) in March of the following year.
The shortlisted nominees will be invited to Hamburg to present their concept in a live pitch before an independent Live Jury and a public audience.
It's not only a unique opportunity to bring their project to life, but also a chance to meet and connect with leading professionals from across the industry.
About
Each year, the Christian Köster Emerging Talent Award is presented to the best unproduced film concept. It gives students, trainees, and emerging creatives the opportunity to turn their idea into a finished film. Career changers and self-taught talent are expressly encouraged to apply.
Shortlisted nominees are invited to Hamburg to present their concept in a live pitch before an independent jury and a public audience. It is not only a unique opportunity to bring their project to life, but also a chance to meet and connect with professionals from across the commercial film industry.
The winners are announced during the Award Ceremony.
Nomination Jury
Who chooses the Top 10 concepts that advance to the live pitch? Our Nomination Jury. Before the finalists head to Hamburg, a dedicated panel of industry experts carefully reviews every submission, evaluating each concept for its originality, creative potential, and feasibility. Together, they select the ten strongest concepts to move on to the final round.
Live Jury
Four perspectives – one shared goal. The Live Jury of the Christian Köster Emerging Talent Award brings together leading professionals from directing, production, agencies, and post-production. They represent not only outstanding creative expertise, but also a strong commitment to diversity, collaboration, and supporting the next generation of talent. At the Live Pitch in Hamburg, this interdisciplinary jury selects the winners from the ten shortlisted concepts.
"In everyone's life there is a time to learn, a time to create and a time to teach."
This was the guiding principle of our honorary member Prof. Christian Köster, who passed away in 2019. As a producer, director, and Professor of Advertising at the University of Television and Film Munich (HFF), he discovered, mentored, and inspired countless emerging talents throughout his career. With this award, we honour his legacy and continue his commitment to supporting the next generation of creative filmmakers.
Contact
DEUTSCHE WERBEFILMAKADEMIE E. V.
Office Hamburg
Eifflerstraße 8
22769 Hamburg
- Project Management
- Corinna Nugent
- Member of the Board
- Myriam Zschage
- Project Management
- Nadine Justus
- Project Coordinator
- Tina Schumacher
Candy Lange und Cindy Moning
Produktionsallianz Services GmbH
Kronenstraße 3
10117 Berlin
T +49 30 20 14 36 13 0
info@produktionsallianz-services.de
