VDW Award 2009 - several facts and a bit of insider talk .....

The VDW Award 2009 took place at Frankfurt’s Opera. As the organisers themselves were unsure of whether they had cited the right location, they had a group of helpful guides wait outside the old opera to point lost creatives in the right direction.

It worked a treat! Upon arrival we were greeted by a who is who of the nominees. Approximately 60% production companies, around 25% post producers and remaining creatives from agencies huddles around the bars in the foyer. Those of you that wish to read a straightforward report with all the ice cold facts should check out our colleagues at HORIZONT, who also have a list of the winners online.

Simply put : Christine Henning and Roberto Cappelluti presented the awards and there were three new categories (Viral Films, Visual Media, Microsite & Guerilla and Cross Media & Best Use of Media). Scholz & Friends won the Hatto for the best commercial spot of the year and the largest total number of trophies were presented to the creative agency’s Berlin office.

It is also worth mentioning Markenfilm, a brand new addition to the Union of German Advertising Film and Post Production Companies = Verband Deutscher Werbefilm- und Postproduktionen (VDW). The creatives went home with a total of three trophies – besides the shared wins with Kemper Trautmann, a Hatto was presented to the company in the Cast category. This was presented by Rolf SCHEIDER c/o SOS CASTING from Paris, assisted by the lovely Caroline, a “Germany’s Next Top Model“ finalist.

The award began with a charming dance performance à la Pulp Fiction by the presenters – unfortunately it was a one-off, a bit of SideStep and Cha-Cha-Cha in between awards would have brightened up the event splendidly.

And the odd speech did go on for a bit too long – more room for improvement – less is more we say. Describing what each category represents to industry professionals can best be described as difficult.

Guests included industry celebrities such as director Detlef Buck and Casting Director Rolfe – much loved and famed as a judge in Heidi Kulm’s “Germany’s Next Top Model” TV series.

Unfortunately, the announced top creative Amir Kassaei was still on holiday, but a replacement presenter was found quickly. He was presented with the prize for Best Script by Heimat CEO Guido Heffels, who was himself also nominated in the same category.

Heffels quickly grabbed the audience’s attention with such touching words as his demand for the return of the German polite plural when dealing with business affairs and his complaints of having to go out for meals on a daily basis with any old German, yes GERMAN clients whilst being forced to make polite conversation. How scandalous and unnecessary. We can only assume he has tried countless diets and is vexed at the dining activities his job entails.

Whatever the unkown reason, we are quite sure of the fact that he won’t be receiving any less invitations for dinners. And he didn’t manage to win the category against the high and mighty REMOTE CONTROL spot either.

The catering was generously donated by a combination of Munich-based companies. Apparently vegetarians are quite unheard of in Munich and the only source of nourishment available is sucking on warm Bavarian veal sausages whilst standing up.

However, this didn’t dampen the mood, guests chatted all over the place, in the lobby, on the terrace… some didn’t even make it past the smoking section to the actual event and preferred to socialise there !

We had a great time and are looking forward to the next award. In the meantime GoSee FILM presents plenty of the winning spots for your viewing pleasure.

The After-Party was held, as was announced on GoSee by Saatchi & Saatchi, at their very own Club Nu Soul. The photos clearly show how much fun it was and how late it got.

And we were once again treated to the streams of Rolfe’s sorely missed champagne rounds, which we definitely made the most of. Many thanks for a great night!


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