The new unit will be led by producer Katharina Rietz, known for her work on Soko Leipzig, who will take on the role of Managing Director. Henriette Lippold, producer of Charité and Marzahn, Mon Amour among other things, will oversee programme development. Sebastian Werninger will join as an additional Managing Director. Together, they aim to continue producing successful programme brands and create original content for broadcasters and streaming platforms.

Sascha Schwingel, CEO UFA, says: ‘With the founding of UFA Mitte, we are developing our Leipzig branch into an independent production company for its 25th anniversary next year, as we see creative and economic potential in central Germany. The new management team of Katharina Rietz and Henriette Lippold and their team are responsible for successful programmes such as Soko Leipzig, Charité and Die unheimliche Leichtigkeit der Revolution (The uncanny lightness of revolution). Both are experienced producers with deep roots and excellent networks in the region. I am confident they will continue to drive the growth of our unit in central Germany.”

Filming for UFA Mitte’s first project with the working title Neues Land (New land) is set to begin in spring 2025 in Leipzig and Thuringia. Commissioned by ZDF, the feature film tells the moving story of a family grappling with the challenges of structural change in the former Saxon lignite mining area. The Central German Media Fund (MDM) is providing funding for production.

Katharina Rietz, Managing Director of UFA Mitte and Producer, says: “I am delighted with the trust UFA has placed in me and look forward to the new challenges in Leipzig. For many years, our productions have helped strengthen the film industry in central Germany. Together with my colleague Henriette Lippold and our great team on site, we want to build bridges and open doors with UFA Mitte.”

Henriette Lippold adds: “In addition to successfully continuing our programme brands, our focus is on developing new authentic content and retaining talent in and from the central German region.”

UFA currently employs around 100 people in Leipzig, where it has produced important films such as Dresden, Der Tunner, alongside internationally acclaimed hit series Deutschland’86 and the Grimme Award-winning series Sam – Ein Sachse. The Leipzig-based team is responsible for over 1,000 minutes of broadcasting per year.