German Film Awards: the favorites

The film directed by Emily Atef portrays three well documented days in the life of the legendary actress Romy Schneider. With its 10 nods, the portrait is the top contender in the race for this year's German Film Awards, also known as the Lolas. It is competing with five other works in the best film category.

Another black-and-white work featuring strong visuals has been nominated for best film. In "The Captain," director Robert Schwentke revisits the true story of a German soldier who found a Nazi captain's uniform towards the end of World War II; by wearing it, he quickly turned into a gruesome war criminal.

Fatih Akin didn't win an Oscar for his neo-Nazi murders drama "In the Fade," starring Diane Kruger, but he's still up for a Lola. The three other works vying for the best film award are "The Silent Revolution," "Western" and "In the Aisles" — but their odds of winning aren't as strong.

"3 Days in Quiberon" is the Berlin-based German-French-Iranian director's most successful work to date. Even though the film left the Berlinale empty-handed, it is bound to be in the spotlight at the German Film Awards. Along with Fatih Akin and Valeska Grisebach, Emily Atef is nominated for a Lola in the best director category.

Actress Marie Bäumer is seen as the favorite in the category best lead actress. Her depiction of Romy Schneider in "3 Days in Quiberon" strongly impressed critics when it premiered at the Berlinale. Diane Krüger ("In the Fade") and Kim Riedle ("Back for Good") are also nominated in the same category.

Andreas Lust ("Casting"), Oliver Masucci ("Subs") and Franz Rogowski ("In the Aisles," pictured above with Sandra Hüller) are the three actors nominated in the best actor category. Rogowski, who also starred in another Berlinale competition film this year, Christian Petzold's "Transit," is seen as a favorite among the three nominees.

Along with the awards for best actors, directors and films, the Lolas recognize the best editing, artistic direction, sound — and of course cinematography. In this category, Jens Harant is among the nominees for his impressive photography on "The Silent Revolution" (picture). Four other cinematographers are equally nominated for their work.

Among the four composers nominated for a German Film Award for best music is Ali N. Askin, who composed a dramatic-melancholic soundtrack for the animated drama "Tehran Taboo," directed by Ali Soozandeh.

The "veteran" of the evening is Hark Bohm, who will be turning 80 this year. The Hamburg-based actor, director, scriptwriter and producer will be recognized with the Special Award for Outstanding Contributions to German Cinema. He might win a second prize too, as the co-author of Fatih Akin's "In the Fade."

Another winner is already determined ahead of Friday's ceremony. After complaints that box-office hits went unrecognized at the Lolas, the category Viewers' Choice: Best German Film of the Year was created. This year's award goes to Bora Dagtekin's "Fack Ju Göhte 3," which was seen by six million moviegoers in Germany.

The gala night of the German Film Awards celebrates both commercial and artistic success. The ceremony on April 27 will include different performances, tributes and of course a bunch of happy award winners. Held at the Palais am Funkturm in Berlin, the event's host is German-Bosnian actor Edin Hasanovic.