The all inclusive Award goes to “HELLO NEW BODY, HOW ARE YOU TODAY?”
Photo HELLO NEW BODY, HOW ARE YOU TODAY? (c) Neue Visionen
This year, DOK.fest München is presenting theall inclusive Awardfor the second time. The award recognises documentary films by filmmakers with disabilities or inclusive film crews. This year, the award will be presented toHELLO NEW BODY, HOW ARE YOU TODAY? by Laura Kansy. The director developed ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) in her early 30s. In the film, she documents her new daily life with the help of her partner Övünç Baran Güvenışık (cinematography, editing). The result is a cinematic diary of life with an invisible chronic disease. The all Inclusive Award is endowed with 5,000 euros and is sponsored by the Werksviertel-Mitte Foundation in Munich.
From the jury’s statement: “With rare courage and magnificent sensitivity, HELLO NEW BODY, HOW ARE YOU TODAY? manages to portray what seems impossible to portray: the protagonist’s inner world and her invisible chronic disease, ME/CFS. In doing so, the film consistently translates this experience into a distinct cinematic form. This film had to have been made in a situation where nothing seems more impossible than producing a film. Director Laura Kansy has nonetheless been more than successful. It is also the result of a production process that has adapted to the conditions of disability beyond fixed time constraints. The film thus impressively demonstrates that fair, sustainable film productions, oriented towards the needs of those involved, are not only necessary but also open up new artistic spaces.”
The jury consisted of Barbara Fickert (expert on blindness and accessibility, and founder of Kinoblindgänger gGmbH), Vika Gurina (Inclusion Working Group project manager at Initiative Pro Quote Film) and Leonard Grobien (screenwriter, director, and sensitivity consultant).
The winner: Laura Kansy is a director and cinematographer for documentary, feature, and experimental films in Berlin. She studied cinematography at the University of Television and Film Munich and at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata, India.
The presentation of the all inclusive Award to HELLO NEW BODY, HOW ARE YOU TODAY? will take place on Friday, 8 May, at 7 pm in the Therese-Giehse-Saal at the Münchner Kammerspiele, followed by a short discussion about the film.
Adele Kohout (Festival Director): “The all inclusive Award, the only one of its kind in Germany, shines a spotlight on the creative achievements and perspectives of filmmakers with disabilities. In this year’s winning film, disability is also the film’s central theme – and this is exceptionally important: the director is one of an estimated 650,000 people in Germany living with ME/CFS.”
At the 41st DOK.fest München, FIRST LAP CRASH by Liam Erlach is another film about living with ME/CFS. His sister Amina is 21 years old and lives with the condition, where even the slightest exertion can throw those affected off course. There is currently no cure – only hard-to-find ways to alleviate symptoms. Her brother responds with a film about her, and for her. Through his observations, a space emerges that belongs to Amina, and into which the audience is also invited. The film is nominated for the Student Award, sponsored by megaherz Filmproduktion.
All dates at a glance:
Tuesday, 28 April 2026: Press conference
Wednesday, 6 May 2026: Opening ceremony of the 41st DOK.fest Munich (by invitation)
Saturday, 16 May 2026: Award ceremony (by invitation)
Monday, 18 May 2026: Closing ceremony of the 41st DOK.fest Munich (by invitation)
