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THE NOMINATION OF GABI SCHWEIGER'S "VIVA LA VULVA" REMAINS FOR 2021!

Gabi Schweiger's TV documentary "Viva la Vulva", for which I did the camera work, was nominated for a Franz Grabner Award in the category best TV documentary. In 2020 the Diagonale was cancelled because of Covid-19, this year it will take place from June 8 to 13 - and the nominations from 2020 remain valid! I am very happy about that!

SHOOTING FOR "GREECE" TO CONTINUE IN SPRING

In spring, filming for the cinema comedy "Greece" continues. Directed by Eva Spreitzhofer, written by Thomas Stipsits, e&a Film, with Thomas Stipsits, Mona Seefried, Erwin Steinhauer, Kathi Straßer, Claudia Kottal, Gery Seidl and others.

I AM MENTOR OF ANNETTE KÖNIG ON THE MENTORING PROGRAM OF "FC GLORIA"

As part of the FC Gloria mentoring program, I mentor Annette König, who works as an independent cinematographer in Vienna. Originally from Tübingen, she studied design at Münster University of Applied Sciences, became enthusiastic about what Filmwerkstatt Münster had to offer, and completed her studies with a film documentary as her thesis. She learned the actual craft at AVE Filmproduktion Berlin, where she was commissioned to travel the world on challenging field shoots for 350 episodes of the arte program X:enius. In 2012, she founded her own production company in Vienna and works primarily for TV stations in the documentary field, but also produces PR formats and animations. The association FC Gloria, based in Vienna, has been promoting and representing the interests of women in the film industry since 2010.
Website FC Gloria

VIDEO/MEDIA WORKSHOP AT THE INNSBRUCK PEACE LECTURE SERIES

December 2020: THE FIRST BROADCAST OF MY ORF COUNTRY CRIME SERIES EPISODE "THE GIRL IN THE MOUNTAIN LAKE" WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!

On December 8, the ORF Country Crime thriller "Das Mädchen aus dem Bergsee" was broadcast for the first time and could subsequently be "re-streamed" in the ORF media library. The ratings were among the best for this crime series, which is already very popular with the public. I wrote the script and did the camera work, Mirjam Unger was the director.

September 2020: START OF SHOOTING FOR "GREECE"

We have started shooting in Greece for the cinema comedy "Greece". Directed by Eva Spreitzhofer, written by Thomas Stipsits, e&a Film, with Thomas Stipsits, Mona Seefried, Erwin Steinhauer, Kathi Straßer, Claudia Kottal, Gery Seidl and others. They will continue in spring 2021.

April 2020: MY SECOND ROMY ACADEMY AWARD "BEST CAMERA IN A THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURE"!

Together with Judith Benedikt I won the Romy Academy Award 2020 Best Picture Design in a Motion Picture for the camera in Stephanus Domanig's "Backstage Vienna State Opera". Due to coronavirus restrictions, the award ceremony took place more or less behind closed doors. Again a great success - this is already my second Romy!

November 2019: MINI-FILMFESTIVAL "CONTEMPORARY WOMEN FILMMAKERS" IN PAKISTAN

In November I curated a small film festival dedicated to currently active female filmmakers, organized by the Austrian Embassy in Islamabad, with "Fly away home" by Caroll Ballard, "Licht / Mademoiselle Paradis" by Barbara Albert, "China Reverse" by Judith Benedikt, "Backstage Vienna State Opera" by Stephanus Domanig, "Prater" by Ulrike Ottinger and a selection of Tricky Women short films. Afterwards a guided tour through Pakistan - exciting!

FROM 10.10.2019 2 NEW CASES FOR "THE VIXEN" AS ARD THURSDAY THRILLERS!

The two new episodes of "Vixen," which Sabine Derflinger directed with me as cinematographer from January to April 2019, are now coming to television: on Oct. 10, the Case 4: In the Golden Cage and a week later, on Oct. 17, the Case 5: Beautiful and Dead, both on ARD at 8:15 pm.

May 2019: NEW DOCUMENTARY FILM "BACKSTAGE VIENNA STATE OPERA" FROM 10.5. IN THE CINEMA!

The cinema documentary "Backstage Vienna State Opera" (->prismafilm ->filmladen) by Stephanus Domanig (originally titled "Im Kraftwerk der Gefühle"), for which I did the camera work together with Judith Benedikt, will be released in Austrian cinemas on Friday, May 10. Those who love opera can "live" into the fascinating atmosphere behind the scenes, but even those who are not necessarily opera lovers will get exciting insights into a huge, perfectly organized high culture entertainment machine that regularly delivers high and highest quality. The production has dragged on for quite a long time, but I think it was worth the wait! ;-)

March/April 2019: NEW SHOOTINGS FOR "THE VIXEN" IN COLOGNE AND DÜSSELDORF

With Sabine Derflinger as director, I am currently shooting the TV productions "Der goldene Käfig" and "Schön und tot" from the ARD crime series "Die Füchsin". Shooting will take place until the beginning of April 2019 in Cologne, Düsseldorf and the surrounding area. An Odeonfilm production, the script is by Ralf Kinder, starring Ina Wendel and Karim Cherif. Great cast and great team, very happy to be part of it!

February/March 2019: PREMIERE OF "VIVA LA VULVA" IN ORF AND arte

The TV documentary VIVA LA VULVA by Gabi Schweiger, production Geyrhalter-Film, was first broadcast on February 24 on ORF and March 6 on arte. Since then, this documentary has been repeated several times and was also present in the media libraries of the channels.

Fall 2018: IN THE POWERHOUSE OF EMOTIONS - VIENNA STATE OPERA

In the fall, we will continue filming Stephanus Domanig's documentary "Im Kraftwerk der Gefühle - Wiener Staatsoper", produced by Prisma Film. Deep insights into the complex gears of the Vienna Opera - exciting (and successful) Mission Impossible even without Tom Cruise...

May 2018: SHOOTING OF "VIVA LA VULVA!" HAS STARTED

In May, filming began on the TV documentary "Viva la Vulva!" with director Gabi Schweiger, as a co-production of ORF, arte and Geyrhalterfilm. It is about the cultural presence of female gender or the numerous, often bloody attempts to control it or make it disappear completely. On the other hand, it aims to document the new female self-confidence that is making itself heard in culture, society and politics. For more information, see the Viva la Vulva! website.

February 2018: GRANT TO WORK IN PALIANO AS A WRITER IN FEBRUARY 2018

I was awarded a grant from the ÖLG (= Austrian Society of Literature) to stay at their Casa Litterarum (sorry, German version only) in Paliano, Italy (Prov. Lazio, about 60 km from Rome) in February, and I'm working on a new story here.

October 2017: SHOOTING OF "DIE FÜCHSIN" STARTING OCT. 12 IN COLOGNE

Right now, I'm preparing the shooting of the new episode "Spur in die Vergangenheit" (traces into the past) of the ARD crime series "Die Füchsin" (the vixen), starring Ina Wendel and Karim Cherif. From October 12, we will be shooting in and around Cologne and Düsseldorf. Austrian director Sabine Derflinger will be in charge, Ralf Kinder wrote the script. It is produced by Odeonfilm. Great cast, great team, I am thrilled to be part of it!

September 2016: ANOTHER SEASON (3) OF 'SUBURBIA WOMEN' IS ON ITS WAY

In September, we started shooting the third season of "Vorstadtweiber" (Suburbia Women). Once again I'm part of the team of Sabine Derflinger who directs episodes 1–5, then Harald Sicheritz' will take over. Uli Brée is writing the script, MR-Film is producing the show.

May 2016: MASTERCLASS EVA TESTOR AT THE INNSBRUCK FILM CAMPUS

I was so glad to hold a masterclass at the Innsbruck Film Campus! It was about formats of film and tv, and which format is best for telling a story. May 26, 2–4.30 pm

March 2016: MAIKÄFER, FLIEG (Fly Away Home) SUCCESSFULLY PREMIERED AT THE DIAGONALE GRAZ

"Maikäfer flieg" ('Fly away home') by Mirjam Unger based on the novel by Christine Nöstlinger, was chosen to be the opening film of the Diagonale on March 8, 2016 (Link to German video blog only). What is more, Ursula Strauss got the Diagonale Acting Award for playing Christine's mother so impressively!
The film is on in Austrian movie theatres since March 11. Get more information about the film here, but sorry, only in German so far.

"March 2016: SHOPS AROUND THE CORNER" PREMIERED AT THE DIAGONALE GRAZ

In 1998, Jörg Kalt, Niki Mossböck and myself (at the camera) went to New York to shoot a documentary. The video footage showing the shops and biographies around an intersection in Little Italy, ended up in the archive as Jörg couldn't find the right angle to build a good story around it, and less so after the 9/11 catastrophe. He only finished the short documentary "Living in a Box" about people living in a hotel nearby (on screen on 26th February at the FrauenFilmTage, see below). In 2015 Nina Kusturica could finally edit the film "Shops Around the Corner" which now premiered at the Diagonale 2016, taking part in the festivals documentary film competition.

Another film of Jörg Kalt (with me as DoP), "Crash Test Dummies", was shown at the Diagonale as part of a tribute ("Zur Person") to producer Gabriele Kranzelbinder.

February 2016: I'M VERY HAPPY ABOUT MY SOLO SCREENING AT THE FrauenFilmTage VIENNA

Every year, the FrauenFilmTage (Womens Film Days) dedicate a section of their film festival to an Austrian woman filmmaker. I am very pleased that this year, I'm the one who gets such a tribute. From 26th February to 2nd March five films were shown at the Filmhaus am Spittelberg, Vienna which I made as a DoP, writer, or producer: TAG UND NACHT (Day and night), OH YEAH, SHE PERFORMS, as well as MEINE MUTTER WAR EIN METZGER (Mama was a butcher), LIVING IN A BOX, and KALT KOCHT (Kalt cooks).

Fri, 26/2, 9:30 p.m., MEINE MUTTER WAR EIN METZGER, LIVING IN A BOX, KALT KOCHT
Sun, 28/2, 4:30 p.m., TAG UND NACHT
Wed, 2/3, 7 p.m., OH YEAH, SHE PERFORMS
The whole program is online on the FrauenFilmTage's website (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frauenfilmtage).

November 2015: JUST ONE MORE DAY, SHOOTING 'SUBURBIA WOMEN'

We have now almost completed shooting the second season of "Vorstadtweiber" (Suburbia Women). Tomorrow, November 22, will be the last day.

August 2015: 'FLY AWAY HOME' IN POST-PRODUCTION, OFF WE GO TO THE SUBURBIA WOMEN!

"Maikäfer flieg" (Fly Away Home) is in post-production now and is being edited by Niki Mossböck. I'm heading for the second season of "Vorstadtweiber" (Suburbia Women) where the shooting of episodes 6-10 is scheduled for 8 weeks from the end of September.

FIRST DAY OF SHOOTING OF 'FLY AWAY HOME' ON JUNE 22, 2015

In December 2014, we started the pre-production of "Maikäfer flieg" (which literally means "Fly, maybug"), a feature film based on Christine Nöstlingers book with the English title "Fly Away Home". The script was written by Sandra Bohle und Mirjam Unger. The film is directed by Mirjam Unger and produced by Gabriele Kranzlbinder (KGP Film). Shooting will take place from June 22 to the end of August.

TYROLEAN PREMIERE OF "LICHTTAGE LICHTNÄCHTE" ON JUNE 1, 2015

The 3rd INNSBRUCK film CAMPUS celebrates its first night with a very special event: The Tyrolean premiere of LICHTTAGE LICHTNÄCHTE - CHRISTIAN BERGER IM FILM. We have been urgently waiting for this since, after all, we're dealing with a documentary about a Tyrolean DoP by a Tyrolean director and DoP... Both me and Christian Berger were present at the Leokino in Innsbruck on Monday, June 1, 2015.

March 2015: PREMIERE OF "LICHTTAGE LICHTNÄCHTE – CHRISTIAN BERGER IM FILM" AT THE DIAGONALE 2015

Thank you to all who came to attend the première of my documentary! The first screening took place on 18th March in the Schubertkino, a second one on March 21 at the Rechbauer.

"Christian Berger dedicates himself to his core theme: light in film and art. Eva Testor accompanied one of these journeys and penetrated further into Berger’s conceptual and working worlds. Thus arose the portrait of a restless virtuoso – always in search of the perfect image." (diagonale/sh)

Script, director, producer: Eva Testor
Camera: Eva Testor, Nina Kusturica, Jörg Dulsky
Editor: Julia Pontiller
Sound: Nina Kusturica, Jörg Dulsky
Music: Tribidabo
Sound design: Uli Grimm/av-Design

"MY SCAR" NOMINATED FOR A BEST DOCUMENTARY ROMY AWARD 2015

"Meine Narbe" (My Scar), TV-documentary by Mirjam Unger and Judith Raunig, was nominated for a ROMY 2015 award in the category "Best TV Documentary".

CURRENT AIR DATES IN ORF:

November 2014: start of the new season of the popular crime series "Vier Frauen und ein Todesfall" (Four Women and a Death), directed by Sabine Derflinger

Early December 2014: "Meine Narbe" (My Scar), TV-documentary by Mirjam Unger and Judith Raunig

January 2015: first run of the new series "Vorstadtweiber" (Suburbia Women), directed by Sabine Derflinger

NOVEMBER 2014: LET'S GO TO COSTA RICA!

Daniela Ingruber, who holds a seminar "Ethical Media Production and Peace" at the University for Peace in November, invited my to share my experiences about film productions involving the topics of human rights and peace. In particular, I plan to talk about "Tag und Nacht" (Day and Night) and "Little Alien".

May 5, 2014: First Day of shooting "VORSTADTWEIBER" (Suburbia Women)

This new ORF tv series was written by Uli Brée and is directed by Sabine Derflinger, with whom I have already worked on the sets of "Day and Night" (2009) and "Four Women and a Death" (2013). "Vorstadtweiber" reveals the lives of women and men in the elegant neighbourhood of Viennas 13th district. We learn about their pursuit of happiness, love, and success, about what they give and take and get in return.

March 2014: "MEINE NARBE" (My Scar)

The "sectio", the incision into a woman's abdomen and through her uterus. What has become a normal procedure in the public view, for a woman not only means an incision into her body, but a turning point in her life, much more difficult to cope with than we are supposed to believe: The Caesarean section.

TV documentary, directed by Mirjam Unger
Research and script: Judith Raunig, Mirjam Unger
Editor: Niki Mossböck
Producer: Geyrhalterfilm NGF, Vienna
Shooting is scheduled for March and April, the film will be released in autumn 2014.

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