JURYS 2020

"The young journalist’s view of integration and migration is more radical, because it highlights the miserable situation of refugees from all backgrounds, shows that diversity is more lip service than reality and confronts us with stereotypes and prejudices that we’ve secretly accepted so as not to make our countries too open. Beware: young also means fast, factual and forward-thinking."

"Remarkably to the point and strikingly original. That’s what distinguishes this year’s work and particularly the prize winner. Well done! (It’s the details that create something really valuable and when these details fit perfectly together, something really extraordinary is the result, like this prize-winning 2020 entry)"

"The Young CIVIS 2020 cohort has been encouraging: Great ideas emanating from the creativity of a new generation can surprise even in difficult times."

"It’s amazing how much power can be unleashed by intelligently applied humour – especially in the case of a serious topic like integration."

"Visual creativity, detailed presentation and humour are all on the rise!"

"We’re honouring a film that addresses an unfortunately increasingly explosive topic in depth but also uses intelligent humour. Which is why we quickly reached agreement, because we the jury were extremely moved by this film."

"As every year, there was an intense, enriching and sometimes highly contentious discussion with my jury colleagues about a number of excellent entries on this important topic. However, we very quickly agreed upon this year’s prize winner. The entries are once again a yardstick for the issues that are currently the focus of our society. Never has a prize been so important!"

"Yet again, what ought to be a matter of course has still not been achieved in 2020, showing how important it is to always take a clear stand – for a diverse society, in which we all live together as equals."

"Young CIVIS never ceases to amaze even old men!"

"We as the CIVIS jury had the opportunity to honour cool videos that make us smarter and immune to conspiracy theories. During the coronavirus pandemic, this is even more important than before."

"What I find remarkable is the state failure at the EU’s external borders. In 2020, numerous programmes tackle the issue of oppressive border experiences: the uncompromising isolationist policy of ‘Fortress Europe’, without any uniform asylum laws, the repatriation of refugees without any legal basis. The inhumanity. The reports and features about the anti-democratic developments in our society, both left and right-wing, and the seductiveness of autocratic systems were also striking. What are we letting ourselves in for – life in transit?"

"I was particularly struck by how many different, exciting, thought-provoking forms there now are, in which media professionals address the issues of migration, integration and cultural diversity."

"What I find remarkable is the state failure at the EU’s external borders. In 2020, numerous programmes tackle the issue of oppressive border experiences: the uncompromising isolationist policy of ‘Fortress Europe’, without any uniform asylum laws, the repatriation of refugees without any legal basis. The inhumanity. The reports and features about the anti-democratic developments in our society, both left and right-wing, and the seductiveness of autocratic systems were also striking. What are we letting ourselves in for – life in transit?"

"For me, the jury’s work is a valuable learning process of democratic thinking: once again, hours of discussions with excellent colleagues about many excellent entries gave me the opportunity to hone my own sense of democracy."

"The selection of films in 2020 reflected the various threats to integration and diversity in our democracy. All over Europe, these values are in danger. I don’t see colour. I simply see. And the CIVIS Prize is intended to give us all the courage to keep seeing people and finding solutions!"

"A quick look at the productions submitted is enough to see what’s working well and not so well in our society."

"I was particularly struck by how many different, exciting, thought-provoking forms there now are, in which media professionals address the issues of migration, integration and cultural diversity."

"The jury days were a first for me. I was impressed by the passion, persistence and courage that were necessary to enable many of the submitted films to be made. Respect to all the journalists who exposed themselves to risk and suffering in order to be able to share their experiences first-hand."

"Now more than ever in these turbulent times in Europe and the world, we need courageous film-makers who closely examine and debunk prejudice and whose dedicated objectivity defies the populists. This year’s CIVIS Media Prize once again honours outstanding achievements by media professionals who are contributing to a better society – because they show it as it is."

"It was my first CIVIS jury meeting and the intensity of the discussions certainly matched the quality of the submissions."

"For me, working with the CIVIS jury is the best time of the year, because integration and cultural diversity are essential goals for a free democratic society at the heart of Europe. CIVIS provides a forum for everyone whose entries, be they a magazine, documentary or entertainment programme, help to achieve these goals. It’s a privilege to be able to watch these entries in all their diversity."

"Society is held up to the mirror by its creatives, by what they choose to deal with and how they tell their stories. During this CIVIS jury stint, I was pleased to see that the diversity and differences affecting many aspects of our lives were also addressed."

"The passion in the numerous entries was fully reflected in the passionate discussion of the jury."

"A great anti-racist movement has emerged from these difficult coronavirus times. That reinforces the work of CIVIS and its juries."

"Once again, I was really impressed by how many different, convincing, strong, emotional and excellently researched entries are produced on the subject of integration and diversity."

"We on the jury were particularly impressed by the close examination undertaken by some authors, who took the kind of stories of refugees and migration we’ve often heard before and brought them closer in a new and emotional way."

"In this year’s CIVIS I was particularly struck by the close examination, detailed questioning and persistence of the research. The authors and film-makers aim to uncover the truth, they persevere and are not afraid to show reality, thereby inviting us to take a close look in the mirror. Anyone who’s watched these films will have a different view of the reality of integration and human dignity."

"The final round included entries that resonate and haunt me to this day."

"My first stint as a member of the CIVIS jury community, among such diverse and fantastic journalists, was entertaining and challenging, featuring thrilling content – and therefore highly enriching for me! Thank you!"

"Hours of focussed listening, days spent sitting down, talking long into the night – the images created by the noises and sounds of the programmes for the CIVIS Radio Award will remain with us – for a long time, if not forever. They’ll recount the fate of individual people in the world, which should be a better place than it actually is."

"I was particularly pleased about the sometimes almost forensic investigators in this year’s competition. Whether on the Balkan route, among fruit pickers or in Syrian prisons. Diligently securing evidence is the most basic qualification for journalists: seeking, gathering and sorting. Everything else builds on that."

"Yes, the CIVIS jury meetings may be hard work. But they were and have become much more than that. A chance to meet up with old friends. And even more so, to develop new personal friendships that are both deep and lasting. Thank you!"

"This time, there were competition entries that did what only radio can: used noises, sounds and voices to help me witness events for which there are no images."

"It’s amazing how many outstanding audio pieces were submitted – the jury was spoilt for choice!"

"The entries this time were distinguished by particularly diverse approaches; we laughed at humorous pieces and fell despondently silent at others."

"Audio is fascinating, audio is exciting, audio is fun - that was the recurring theme of the jury’s lively discussions!"

"Wow, that was a pleasure to listen to! So much great audio!"

"What I find remarkable is the state failure at the EU’s external borders. In 2020, numerous programmes tackle the issue of oppressive border experiences: the uncompromising isolationist policy of ‘Fortress Europe’, without any uniform asylum laws, the repatriation of refugees without any legal basis. The inhumanity. The reports and features about the anti-democratic developments in our society, both left and right-wing, and the seductiveness of autocratic systems were also striking. What are we letting ourselves in for – life in transit?"

"The main focus of the CIVIS jury meetings is on discussing fairly, assessing and making decisions, all with a great deal of expertise. The high quality of the pieces submitted is striking, regardless of the genre. This applies to both the content and the technical aspects of the journalistic work."