Producer Bernd von Fehrn becomes Managing Director of Network Movie
Cologne/Hamburg/Mainz, September 4th, 2024
Bernd von Fehrn, (54), will become Managing Director of Network Movie GmbH, a subsidiary of ZDF Studios GmbH, as of 15 November 2024. The renowned producer will strengthen the management team around Wolfgang Cimera and Lasse Scharpen. He will assume responsibility for the Hamburg location and thus for successful programmes such as ‘Solo für Weiss’ and ‘In Wahrheit’.
After studying theatre, film and television at the University of Cologne, Bernd von Fehrn initially worked as a comedy, sketch and screenwriter, later as a producer for show and comedy formats as well as for TV and series projects at production companies such as Fremantle Germany and Pro-GmbH.
He started at Warner Bros. ITVP Deutschland GmbH in 2010 as Creative Producer, then served as Head of Comedy and, until 2018, as Creative Director Scripted/Non-Scripted. Since 2019, Bernd von Fehrn has been responsible for all scripted productions at WBITVP Germany as Director Fiction/Scripted.
His credits as EP/Producer include: ‘Die LottoKönige’ (WDR, nominated for the German Comedy Award), “Friesland” (ZDF), “Mona & Marie” (ZDF), “The Windermere Children” (BBC&ZDF, nominated for the BAFTA TV Award 2021, winner of PRIX EUROPE), “KBV - No activity” (RTL+, nominated for the German Comedy Award), “Love Addicts” (Amazon) and “Two Sides of the Abyss” (RTL+ and HBOmax).
Dr. Markus Schäfer, President and CEO of ZDF Studios: 'I am delighted that we have been able to gain Bernd von Fehrn, one of Germany's most creative and high-profile producers, as a new Managing Director of Network Movie. Together with Wolfgang Cimera and Lasse Scharpen, Bernd will lead the successful portfolio of long-running series into the future and drive the development and production of new, innovative material for broadcasters and streamers.'
Bernd von Fehrn: 'I'm really looking forward to this new and exciting challenge, which fortunately brings me back to my old almost-home and declared favourite city of Hamburg. I have always known Network Movie to be a creative powerhouse that has influenced and enriched the market with its consistency, innovation, professionalism and proven quality. It is therefore a great honour for me to be able to shape the creative and entrepreneurial future of this renowned company in close cooperation with such experienced Co-MDs as Wolfgang Cimera and Lasse Scharpen. I am looking forward to working with extremely likeable, highly motivated, competent and committed colleagues and to the opportunity to tell new entertaining, relevant, valuable and memorable TV, streaming and cinema stories together with them. I would like to take this opportunity to thank René Jamm and of course the entire team at Warner Bros. ITVP Deutschland GmbH for their trust and the great, fulfilling collaboration over the past few years.'
Wolfgang Cimera and Lasse Scharpen, Managing Directors of Network Movie and Studio Zentral: 'In such a dynamic market, strong and visionary partners are essential for the further development of the company. We are delighted that Bernd von Fehrn will strengthen our team in this respect.
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About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a commercial subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, the ZDF Studios Group operates more than 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom spanning TV production, distribution and services. The parent company, ZDF Studios, is responsible for global programme distribution, realisation of international co-productions, acquisition of licences and merchandising of successful programme brands under its own name, for ZDF and third parties. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language programme inventory in the world and a constantly growing range of international productions, consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children's programmes.
The companies of the ZDF Studios Group cover the entire value chain from the development of scripted and unscripted TV content to production, marketing and monetizing, including TV and streaming licences as well as merchandising and online rights. The positioning of ZDF Studios as an integrated media company enables the development of innovative, outstanding and high-quality programmes and makes the Group an attractive workplace for German and international talent to flourish in a very inspiring and creative environment.
Contact ZDF Studios
Christine Denilauler (VP Marketing and Corporate Communications), ZDF Studios GmbH, Erich-Dombrowski-Str. 1, D-55127 Mainz/Germany, Tel.: +49 6131-9911130, E-mail: christine.denilauler@zdf-studios.com, www.zdf-studios.com