Management

Lilian Franck

I have been producing and directing films for the international market for the past ten years.  In 2003 Robert Cibis and I were the recipients of the German-French journalists’ "Next Generation“ prize. Our documentary film "Human Capital“ was sold in five countries. "PianoMania“ is my second feature length cinema film, after "Jesus loves You".

My film education took place at the Film Academy in Baden Württemberg, Germany, the Grande Ecole Le Fresnoy – Studio national des arts contemporains in Paris and within the framework of the Discovery Campus Masterschool.

Robert Cibis

I am a producer and director of documentary and theatrical films.  Michaela Kirst and I were awarded the Ekotopfilm 2007 prize for our two-part documentary film "Disgustingly Healthy“. Lately I was working on "PianoMania“, a feature length documentary. I studied European film production in the Masterclass of the German-French Film Academy at the Femis, in Paris and at the Film Academy in Baden-Württemberg after having previously studied the Art and Science of Film in Rome and received a Master’s degree at the Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris.

Team

Marina Haake
Production Accountant

Since 2009 I have been responsible for OVAL´s finance management and financial control. Working for OVAL has brought me back to my roots. In the framework of a workshop, I have assisted in the production of documentaries in the past. I graduated from Film Management and have a background in broadcasting, as well as international experience in film business. In 1985 I received the “Fernsehpreis” (television award) of the DFF (television broadcaster in East Germany) in production for the film “Die Weihnachtsklempner". In addition to my enthusiasm in film, I have sung on stage as a soloist for more than 20 years. Click here to visit my personal website.

Joanna Piechotta
Supervisor OVAL Technik Rentals and Production Assistant

I am responsible for the technical department at Oval. For “Pianomania” I was the camera assistant and for “Patient als Beute” I operated the sound. In addition I am a student of film making.

Conrad Schmidt
IT-Management und Production Assistant

As a part of my film director's study in Berlin, I started working for OVAL Filmemacher as a production assistant intern by the end of last year. That was my first insight into documentary film making. In the past years I realised several student short films as a producer and director. Now that I am working on my bachelor's thesis, the practical work for OVAL comes as a well received change.

Philipp Weinrich
Postproduction Supervisor und Production Assistant

Jean Amoris
Production Assistant

I was born in Brussels, where I studied journalism. Through travel, I explored the eclectic sides of life in many places in the world, and decided to get more involved in film with the dream of directing my own documentaries in the future. In my opinion, when set against the fast pace of modernity and superficial information, the research phase of a documentary film provides a certain depth that I value. OVAL Film gives its interns many great opportunities to handle interesting projects and responsibilities – something fundamental to an efficient training.

Nadine Zillich
Production Assistant

Having obtained a bachelor´s degree in International Cultural & Business Studies and having gained experience as a co-editor of a university magazine, I have mainly dealt with print media. In my opinion, however, images have more power than the written word. For this reason I hope to attain competent knowledge about documentary filmmaking. In preparation for a master´s in visual anthropology, and due to the variety of projects and opportunities as well as international orientation of the filmmakers, I have decided that an internship at Oval would provide me with practical experience in research and production.

Dorota Lech
Production Assistant

Currently residing in Berlin, I was born in Lower Silesia, Poland and raised in Canada. I have obtained a Bachelors degree in International Development Studies, and recently completed my M.A. from McGill University in Political Science & Gender Studies. Having traveled extensively in Eastern Europe, South Asia, as well as Central and South America, I am very interested in community development and social justice. I have previously channeled my interests through working with non-governmental organizations including The Federation of Cuban Women (Havana), Le Centre des Tavailleurs et Travailleuses Immigrants (Montréal), and The New Canadian's Centre (Peterborough). I believe that documentary film is the best vehicle to pursue my passion.