Oval Filmemacher has an international reputation for quality
and innovation in documentary programming. We supply broadcasters
all over Europe with stories set in North America, Europe and Asia,
and with creative story development, top-notch
production values and strong marketing.

>>> biographies

OVAL Filmemacher was funded in 2002 by the two filmmakers Lilian Franck and Robert Cibis. We are specialized in international co-productions, tailored to please viewers in different countries. These productions focus on both the needs of high profile non-fiction TV slots and on long-term, in-depth and creative documentaries. OVAL is specialised in science, cultural and social topics and since 2006 is being supported by the EU MEDIA Slate Funding Program.

We are in development of a film about the risks and opportunities given through a direct connection between the  human brain and a  computer with the help of a brain-computer-interface. Currently, we are in pre-production of “Pianomania” a movie for theatrical release about the quest for the pitch, with stars like Lang Lang, Alfred Brendel and Mitsuko Uchida. We have also just completed editing a film about the worldwide mission effort of radical Christians during the soccer world cup in Germany and are looking forward to its premiere at the  2008 Berlin International Film Festival.

Previous films have earned OVAL Films wide acclaim. Our two part documentary about the medical use of leeches and maggots won Slovakia’s Environmental Ministry Prize at the Ekotopfilm Festival  2007. In 2003, “Half a Chance?”, a humorous documentary about French film distributors trying to keep secret the nationality of German films in France, earned OVAL the Talent Award at the 2003 German-French Journalism Prize. Our ARTE-documentary “Human Capital: the Employment Trade”, about the globalisation of the employment market, has been sold in five countries. Our staff has been nominated for the Grimme Award, SACD Prize of the Semaine de la Critique in Cannes and an Academy Award.

We have worked with a wide range of television networks worldwide, and excel at meeting the needs of documentary broadcasters. In addition to ARTE and ZDF,  stations that have used our work include ARD, RBB, WDR, SWR, NDR, RTL, 3Sat and ZDF in Germany; ORF in Austria, France 3 and Mezzo in France; ERT in Greece; Tango TV in Luxembourg; YLE in Finland and FSTV in the USA.

Our films examine universal themes through the power of unique personal stories. Through these programmes, OVAL Filmemacher has succeeded in bringing both understanding and entertainment to an international audience.