Award

The Werner Herzog Film Award 2024 goes to
Harley Chamandy for his film ALLEN SUNSHINE

The Werner Herzog Film Award, an annual award endowed with a sum of €5,000, can go to a feature film, a documentary, a filmmaker, an actor, or anyone working in the art of cinema. It will be given to special achievements in innovation, courage, and vision. The award is open to citizens of all countries. There is no application procedure, and no competition.

The Werner Herzog Foundation Award 2024 goes to

Harley Chamandy for his film ALLEN SUNSHINE

Shooting on 16mm, ALLEN SUNSHINE by young Canadian filmmaker Harley Chamandy offers a deeply personal and emotional journey with poignant images and sounds. The directorial debut of the Montreal-born and New York-based filmmaker beautifully captures the solitude of a man who lost his family, now living in his remote cabin, and his friendship with two young boys. Using music as a powerful tool to explore themes of redemption, grief, and emotional attachment.

Werner Herzog on the bestowal of the award:

“The Werner Herzog Film Award for 2024 goes to Harley Chamandy for his film ALLEN SUNSHINE. One of the Foundation's missions is to support emerging talents, and it is remarkable that Harley Chamandy participated in my first young filmmakers' workshop in Cuba when he was just 17 years old. At 21, he made his subtle, award-winning film.

ALLEN SUNSHINE tells the story of a former music mogul who retreats to a secluded lakeside house to cope with the suicide of his famous wife. He processes his grief by composing atmospheric electronic music and forms an unexpected friendship with two boys he meets while fishing at the lake. Throughout his stages of grief, Allen encounters various people who remind him of what he has lost and forgotten, and what he hopes to rediscover.

The criteria for the award from my foundation are always innovation, courage, and initiative, and Harley Chamandy has demonstrated all of these. He already possesses a unique voice. Congratulations to him.“

The award ceremony is going to take place on
Friday, December 6, 2024 at 7 pm
at the Munich Cinematheque (Filmmuseum München), St.-Jakobs-Platz 1

The ceremony is followed by the screening of the award winning film and a live discussion between the Harley Chamandy and Werner Herzog.

Limited ticket sales.