In a world marked by political uncertainty and growing concern over global challenges, the power of storytelling has never been more crucial. As we navigate this complex landscape, films have the potential to transcend traditional boundaries and create lasting change.
For the second time, we are proud to welcome six outstanding projects into our 2025 The Good Media Lab & Pitch programme. These films represent more than just stories; they are movements in the making, designed to spark conversations and drive real social impact.
We are thrilled to introduce this year’s esteemed jury and the incredible projects we will closely work with within the following months.
Join us as we begin this new adventure!
Meet Our Esteemed Jury
This year, we are honored to have an extraordinary group of visionaries leading the selection process. They are not only experts in their fields but passionate advocates for meaningful storytelling that drives social change.
Khadidja Benouataf
Khadidja is a dynamic force in the world of impact strategies. As an award-winning impact strategist and field builder, she serves as President of the Impact Social Club and is an advisory member of the Global Impact Producers Alliance (GIPA). With years of experience crafting campaigns and mentoring filmmakers worldwide, Khadidja has contributed her expertise to prominent film festivals and training programs, helping shape the future of socially conscious filmmaking. Her deep commitment to amplifying voices and sparking change is a guiding light for projects like those in this year’s Good Media Lab and Good Media Pitch.
Alice Agneskirchner
An accomplished screenwriter and director, Alice brings her creative expertise to the table with a deep understanding of the power of film to challenge perspectives and shape society. She has a remarkable ability to connect with stories on an emotional level, which makes her a crucial asset in identifying projects with the potential to ignite social transformation. Alice’s work bridges the worlds of cinema and social activism, proving that films can be catalysts for greater awareness and action.
Emilien Schenker
Emilien is a multifaceted professional with eight years of experience spanning public offices, research centers, and the arts. As a member of Storyboard Collective, he’s helped entrepreneurs secure funding, promoted groundbreaking research, and built essential networks. Emilien’s expertise lies in bridging the cultural and economic sectors, and his focus on impact campaigns tackling social justice, human rights, and climate issues makes him a perfect fit for the Good Media Lab and Good Media Pitch. With a global perspective and passion for diverse cultures, Emilien helps filmmakers amplify their voices, ensuring their stories resonate far beyond the screen.
The Selected Projects: Changing the World Through Film
After careful deliberation and with many applications received, our jury has selected six remarkable projects for this year’s Good Media Lab & Good Media Pitch. These projects stand out not only for their captivating storytelling but also for their potential to spark real societal change. We are particularly excited that this year’s selection goes beyond traditional documentary films, embracing diverse forms of documentary storytelling—from interactive formats to cross-media projects.
Brecht into the Metaverse
by Kathatarina Haverich
Brecht into the Metaverse is a thought-provoking mini-documentary pilot that delves into the promises and pitfalls of the Metaverse. Four protagonists engage with Bertolt Brecht’s play Señora Carrar’s Rifles while navigating the complexities of virtual reality. Their journey raises fundamental questions about the accessibility, ethics, and boundaries of this digital frontier.
Katharina Haverich works at the intersection of media and theatre under the influence of dreams. As a conceptual performance and media artist, she stages dream-based sequences in digital and physical spheres. In real and unreal ways, Katharina co-founded the Virtual Club of Dangerous Women, unreal.theater and Radikale Töchter. Since 2022, she has been a part time lecturer at the University of the Arts Berlin. In 2024, she founded the Berlin School of VR (Virtual Reality).
Intersection
by Karoline Rößler
Intersection is a documentary series and mobile game that explores the realities of discrimination. The game immerses players in firsthand experiences of bias, while the series features powerful interviews with those affected, alongside discussions on social justice and activism.
Karoline Rößler is an MA student at Filmuniversität Babelsberg Konrad Wolf. During her Bachelor's in Cultural Studies and Aesthetic Practice at Hildesheim University, she discovered her passion for blending media and formats. She gained early experience in public relations and developed interview formats for the Ideas and Complaints Office. A former theater enthusiast, Karo transitioned from the stage to behind the camera, focusing on documentary filmmaking. She also works with the social media team at ZEIT Online, exploring ways to connect political education with pop culture.
Schwarze Häuser
by Katrin Sikora
Schwarze Häuser delves into the lasting trauma of “Kinderverschickung”, a German practice where children were sent to convalescent homes, often facing abuse. Through a youth theater group’s exploration of these suppressed memories, the documentary examines the deep societal impact of this collective trauma.
Katrin Sikora is an independent concept developer, writer, and director, creating media formats, writing scripts, and producing advertising films, documentaries, and portraits. Since 2022, she has been pursuing a Master's in Documentary Film Direction at Filmuniversität Babelsberg Konrad Wolf.
Her filmmaking blends style and substance, combining atmospheric visuals with engaging storytelling. With an interdisciplinary background, Katrin’s work often explores societal issues and cultural phenomena, particularly focusing on their impact on women and border-crossers of all kinds.
9 Month Contract by Ketevan Vashagashvili
by Ketevan Vashagashvili
9 Month Contract tells the story of Zhana, a Georgian mother who turns to surrogacy to provide for her daughter, Elene. What begins as an economic necessity soon takes a heavy toll on her body and emotions. As Zhana faces health complications and exploitation, the film sheds light on the hidden costs of commercial surrogacy and the complex realities faced by women navigating this system.
Ketevan Vashagashvili is a documentary filmmaker based in Tbilisi. She is a Chevening Alumni with an MA in Digital Documentary from the University of Sussex (UK). Her main interest lies in social and human rights issues. Ketevan has 15 years of experience in working at various Georgian TV channels and online platforms, directing and producing TV documentaries, TV-series and programmes. Ketevan works at the Georgian Public Broadcaster and has completed her first feature-length documentary film, 9-Month Contract, produced by the Georgian company 1991 Productions.
Auto Queens
by Sraiyanti Haricharan
Auto Queens follows the lives of two female auto-rickshaw drivers in Chennai, India, as they navigate a male-dominated profession and societal challenges. The film highlights their friendship, resilience, and efforts to spark a mobility revolution for women.
Sraiyanti Haricharan is a filmmaker and cinematographer working in documentary and fiction. As a cinematographer she has shot documentaries for VICE, Discovery, DW and the Emmy nominated 'India's Forbidden Love' for Al Jazeera. She was also Director of Photography on the critically acclaimed Tamil language film 'Gargi' in 2022. Her work in documentaries as director includes 'Tam Bram Cooking' which opened at International Documentary and Short Film Festival Kerala (IDSFFK) in 2023 and went on to screen at multiple festivals including NYIFF and DIFF.
Sorry For The Genocide
by Theodora Shandé
Sorry For The Genocide explores the impact of the Joint Declaration between Namibia and Germany, addressing the genocide of the Herero and Nama people. It focuses on the Namibian perspective, highlighting the ongoing effects of the genocide and the complexities of reconciliation.
Theodora Shandé is a German filmmaker focused on production and direction. After studying media and communications management, she founded Wave In Motion GmbH in 2021, producing projects for the advertising industry. Currently working on her debut documentary, Sorry for the Genocide, she has received two scholarships from Medien Gründerzentrum NRW. Her upcoming project is a short documentary on poaching in South Africa, highlighting her commitment to socially impactful topics. Shandé is an emerging talent in the documentary film industry.
What’s next?
From March 6th–8th, we will host our Good Media Lab and connect the selected film teams with experts from various fields to refine their strategies. Together, they’ll work on developing concrete action plans that go far beyond the filmmaking process. These strategies will ensure that the films resonate with a wide audience and inspire lasting change. The Good Media Lab is a space for collaboration, learning, and growth, where the intersection of storytelling and strategy gives birth to powerful movements far beyond the screen.
But the journey doesn’t end there. This intensive workshop will lay the foundation for the Good Media Pitch on June 12th, held at the Dokumentale Festival, where the projects will have the opportunity to present their ideas to potential partners from media, business, politics, and civil society. The goal is to initiate long-term collaborations that will bring these projects to life and ensure their messages are heard around the world.
In addition, the participating projects will have the chance to apply for impact funding through the Good Media Fund.
The journey of these six selected projects has only just begun, and we can’t wait to see the impact they will bring!
