The DAFF Symposium 2015 at the NRW Filmforum, Cologne
The Deutsche Akademie, Fernsehen (DAfF) (German Television Academy) was founded in December 2010 by television professionals from various fields of television production.[1] It has its headquarters in Munich and an office in Cologne.[2]
Origin, purpose and activities
According to its statutes, its purpose is
to promote the development of German television as an essential component of German culture and the German cultural industry and to preserve its diversity
to encourage, strengthen and cultivate discussion and the exchange of ideas and experience between German television professionals, especially between freelancers and those employed by broadcasters
to lead the discourse on content and economic aspects of German television.
The chairman is actor Michael Brandner.[3] His four deputies are screenwriter Jochen Greve, casting director Cornelia von Braun, set designer Frank Godt, and producer Stephan Ottenbruch from the television entertainment sector. Producer Frank Döhmann will assume the office of treasurer. The producer Gerhard Schmidt is the President of the Academy.[4]
Of the 23 sections that had been planned (including direction, screenplay, music, documentary, acting, image design, sound design),[5] some were constituted. The number of members is 800.[4]
Every two months a nationwide "Jour fixe" takes place in the cities of Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Munich.
According to Vice Chairman Jochen Greve, one of the founding intentions was that "television should not be left to the broadcasters alone"[6] The intention was rather: "We want to be a voice of the creative. We want to give people dignity."[7][8]
In May 2018, the association participated in the establishment of the Themis-Vertrauensstelle gegen sexuelle Belästigung and Gewalt (Trust Centre against sexual harassment and violence).[9]
Award ceremony
Since 2013, the association has presented an annual award for achievements in all trades of television production. Each section of the Academy can nominate a prize in its own field. The Acting Section can nominate prizes in four categories: Best Actress in a Lead Role, Best Actor in a Lead Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The winners are then chosen by all members of the Academy.[10]
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