- Regrettably, filmmaker and media specialist Lutz Hachmeister has passed away.
Media expert and filmmaker Lutz Hachmeister has departed. The Institute for Media and Communications Policy in Cologne revealed his unexpected demise, just fourteen days prior to his 65th birthday.
Hachmeister was a prominent figure in multiple sectors. Born in 1959 in Minden, he obtained degrees in communications science, sociology, and philosophy from Münster and Berlin. He began his career as a media editor at "Tagesspiegel" Berlin and later served as director of the Adolf-Grimme-Institute in Marl from 1989 to 1995.
In Cologne, his name continues to carry weight, tied to the Cologne Conference (currently known as Film Festival Cologne), which he established in 1991. The event aimed to serve as a gathering space for filmmakers, drive conversations, spotlight trends, and stimulate creativity. In 2005, he became the founding director of the Institute for Media and Communications Policy (IfM), a role he held until his passing. He also acted as head of the German Television Award jury at certain points.
Grimme Prize for Schleyer Film
Additionally, Hachmeister was an accomplished publicist and filmmaker. He received a Grimme Award in 2004 for his film "Schleyer - Eine deutsche Geschichte" (Schleyer - A German Story), and in 2009, he captured a German Television Award with "Freundschaft – Die Freie Deutsche Jugend" (Friendship - The Free German Youth). Beyond that, he collaborated with Günter Wallraff for documentary purposes.
Moreover, he authored and edited several publications on media policy and communications science. In 2022, a revised version of his work "Who Controls the Media? The 50 Largest Media and Knowledge Conglomerates in the World" was published.
As per the Institute for Media and Communications Policy's website statement on Monday, "The question now is, 'How do we proceed?' It's hard to imagine." Hachmeister was reported to have said, "That's what others have to do now."
The Cologne Conference, a significant event in the film industry, was initiated by Hachmeister in 1991. This festival served as a platform for filmmakers, fostering discussions, highlighting trends, and encouraging creativity.
During his tenure as the founding director of the Institute for Media and Communications Policy, Hachmeister also ensured the success of the annual Film Festival Cologne, further cementing his impact on the media landscape.
