Bundesarchiv Bild 183-82988-0002, Berlin, Verleihung Heinrich-Greif-Preis

The Heinrich Greif Prize (German: ''Heinrich-Greif-Preis'') was an East German state award bestowed on individuals for contribution to the state's cinema and television industry.

History

The prize was awarded by the East German Ministry of Culture for "outstanding achievements in Socialist-Realist cinema and television" and was presented annually to directors, cinematographers, writers and other filmmakers who were recognized for creating valued works in the field. It had three classes, and originally could be bestowed only in collective, to a group of producers. Since 1959, awards for single persons were also granted. The recipients were given a silver medal, a diploma and a sum of money, which varied from 7,500 East German Mark to 20,000. Since 1973, the medals were no longer made of silver. Established at 17 May 1951 in memory of actor Heinrich Greif, it was first awarded on 25 May that year. The 1st class was received by the creators of ''The Eyewitness'' newsreel series, the 2nd Class by the production team of the documentary ''The Way Upwards'' and the 3rd was given to the makers of a series of popular science films. The prize's presentation ceremony mostly took place on 11 March, Greif's birthday. It was awarded for the last time in 1989.Klaus Finke. ''Politik und Mythos: Kader, Arbeiter und Aktivisten im DEFA-Film''. . Page 133.

Notable recipients

* Ulrich Plenzdorf (awarded 1971) * Frank Beyer (1961, 1984) * Heiner Carow (1959, 1967) *

Heinz Kahlau Heinz Kahlau (6 February 1931 - 6 April 2012) was a German writer. He is remembered as one of the best known lyric poets in the German Democratic Republic. He wrote song lyrics, dramas and prose pieces. He was particularly well known for hi ...

(1962) * Herbert Köfer (1964) * Manfred Krug (1962) * Kurt Jung-Alsen (1973) * Vasily Livanov (1969) * Günter Reisch (1978) *

Günther Rücker Günther Rücker (February 2, 1924 - February 24, 2008) was a German writer, playwright and film director. Rücker won several awards for his work, including the National Prize of the GDR and the Prix Italia. Rücker was born at Reichenberg (Libe ...

(1966) * Helga Schubert (1983) *

Günther Simon Günther Simon (11 May 1925 – 25 June 1972) was an East German actor. Biography Early life A bank clerk's son, Simon attended an acting school already in '' Gymnasium''. At the age of 16, he was sent to a premilitary training camp of the ...

(1955) *

Lothar Warneke Lothar Warneke (15 September 1936 – 5 June 2005) was a German film director, screenwriter and actor. His 1977 film '' The Incorrigible Barbara'' was entered into the 10th Moscow International Film Festival. His 1981 film ''Our Short Life' ...

(1971, 1983) * Job von Witzleben (1966)

References

{{Reflist

External links

A photo of the Heinrich Greif Prize's medal, in a list of East German prizes.DEFA's annual chronicle 1945–1989
with all the prize winners listed. German film awards German television awards Awards established in 1951 Awards disestablished in 1989 Orders, decorations, and medals of East Germany 1951 establishments in East Germany 1989 disestablishments in East Germany