Maria von Heland

Films and series
since 1997.

Maria von Heland on the set of Sök

Slava the Dog: a man holds the dog close — *Slava the Dog* 2023

Heirs of the Night: seen from above, a girl lies among candles while hands hold her head — *Heirs of the Night* 2019–21

Der Teufel mit den drei goldenen Haaren: the devil, horned and grey-haired, looks into the camera — *Der Teufel mit den drei goldenen Haaren* 2013

Sök: two figures walk into a lit tunnel at night — *Sök* 2006

Big Girls Don’t Cry: a girl with a cigarette looks up, a strip light behind her — *Big Girls Don’t Cry* 2002

Television

2023: Slava the Dog · Slava der HundTV series 6 × 15′ & feature cut 90′ · Creator · Writer · DirectorNominated: Prix Jeunesse International, 2024Nominated: Series Mania 2024, Best Series (Short Forms Competition)
2022: Sunshine EyesMiniseries · 10 episodes · Creator · Writer · Director: 10 episodesWinner: Séries Mania 2022, International Panorama Jury Award
2022: Kolleginnen · Für immerTV film · ZDF · Director
2021: Nord Nord Mord · Sievers und der schönste TagTV film · ZDF · Director
2019–21: Heirs of the Night · Die Erben der NachtInternational TV series · 26 × 25′ · Co-Creator: 26 episodes · Screenplay, Episodes 1–13Nominated: International Emmy Kids AwardWinner: Goldener SpatzWinner: White Elephant Art Award
2020: Solo für Weiss · SchlaflosTV film · ZDF · Writer · Director
2019: So einfach stirbt man nichtTV film · ZDF · Writer · Director
2018: Julia Durant · Jung, blond, totTV film · SAT.1 · Director
2018: Solo für Weiss · Für immer SchweigenTV film · ZDF · DirectorNominated: Jupiter Award
2017: Eltern und andere WahrheitenTV film · ARD · Director
2014: Göttliche FunkenTV film · ARD Degeto · Co-Writer · Director
2013: Der Teufel mit den drei goldenen HaarenTV film · ARD · DirectorNominated: International Emmy Kids Award
2011: Die SterntalerTV film · ARD · DirectorWinner: Bayerischer Fernsehpreis, Best DirectionWinner: Best of the Fest, Chicago International Children’s Film FestivalNominated: International Emmy Kids Award
2007: Suddenly Gina · Frühstück mit einer UnbekanntenTV film · Sat.1 · Co-Writer · Director
2006: Den som viskar · Those Who WhisperTwo-part TV thriller · SVT · Writer · Director

Film

2014: Hector’s Journey · Hectors Reise oder die Suche nach dem GlückCo-Writer
2009: HildeWriter
2008: The RainbowmakerCo-Writer
2006: Search · SökWriter · Director · ProducerWinner: Guldbagge 2006, Best Supporting ActressNominated: Guldbagge 2006, Best Actress
2002: Big Girls Don’t Cry · Große Mädchen weinen nichtWriter · DirectorWinner: Goldener BiberNominated: New Faces Award
2000: England!Co-WriterWinner: Deutscher Filmpreis der Kritik, Best Screenplay

Short films and early work

1999: RecycledFeature · 35mm · WDR / DOM-Film · Co-Writer · DirectorNominated: Shooting Star, Baden-Baden, 2000
1998: Real Men Eat MeatShort · 25′ · 35mm · black & white · MinFilm / Tossell Pictures · Writer · DirectorWinner: Grand Prix du Court Métrage, Valenciennes 1999Winner: Best Short Film, Cork 1999Winner: Best Black-and-White Short Film, Cork 1999Winner: Best Short Film, Dresden 1999Winner: Best Short Film, Bamberg 1999
1998: State of DogsDocumentary · Narrative Voice-Over Writer18 international awards, including Grand Prix at Visions du Réel, Nyon, and Best Script at MediaWave, Győr
1997: ChainsmokerShort · 10′ · 35mm · BR / ARTE · Tossell Pictures · Writer · DirectorWinner: Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Short Film Award, 1997Winner: FIPA d’Argent, Biarritz 1998Winner: Grand Prix du Court Métrage, Valenciennes 1998Winner: International Canal+ Award, 1998Winner: Danzante de Bronce, Huesca 1998Winner: Multicurta Award, São Paulo 1998Certificate of Merit, Bombay 1998

Artistic direction

2008–18: The European Film AwardsArtistic Director & Writer