femme totale is pleased to announce the foundation of a New Generation Advancement Award for Camerawomen - timed to coincide with the Eight International Film Festival in Dortmund,

"I think the most frustrating experience in trying to make it as director of photography in features has been watching the men who were former assistants or gaffers start shooting and have their careers take off, when they have a lot less experience and I know my eye is as good or better. I'm not the only woman that's seen this. It's still a male profession". (Nancy Schreiber, ASC)

Nancy Schreiber is one of the six women members of the American professional association for camera technicians - i.e. the ASC, the American Society of Cinematographers, with its total of 223 members. In the British equivalent, the BSC, there are just two women out of a total of 109 members; in the German BVK, there are ten women out of 246. Last update: June 2000.

Similarly, if you take a close look at the gender spread of the German camera prizes which have been awarded in Cologne since 1982, you will find the same depressing picture. Of the 80 prizes that have now been dispensed in the way of advancement awards, special awards and commendations, only five have gone to women. The above figures speak volumes. When it comes to setting themselves up as freelance camera operators, women are faced with an enormous uphill battle.

The femme totale Camera Award by e-m-s new media Inc. will, it is hoped, encourage young camerawomen not to be deterred by the difficulties lying in wait. The Award will provide some financial support and generate welcome publicity as it draws the attention of the film industry to the "new blood".

A sum of DM 10,000 is available as prize money. The jury is made up of three camerawomen with Jolenta Dylevska (PL) in the chair assisted by Sophie Maintigneux (F/D) and Hille Sagel (D). This new advancement "oscar" for camerawomen will in future be awarded every two years against the background of Dortmund's International Film Festival.