March 2025
Next Premiere: „Avgrunden“ (L’abisso) by Davide Enia at Teater Giljotin in september 26
On September 23, the monologue “Avgrunden” (L’Abisso) by Davide Enia, directed and produced by Johannes Schmid, will have its premiere at Teater Giljotin in Stockholm. Actor Daniel Goldman plays a writer who travels to the Italian island of Lampedusa to conduct research for a project, but is confronted with the full force of the migration crisis in the Mediterranean Sea. The project is supported by the Swedish Arts Grants Committee (Konstnärsnämnden), Svante Bergström’s Theatre Foundation, and Eskilstuna Municipality. It is a co-production between Johannes Schmid Film och Scenkonst AB and Teater Giljotin.
December 2025
Word premiere for „Ich bin Vincent! Und ich habe keine Angst“ at MusikTheater an der Wien
On December 14, Johannes Schmid’s production “Ich bin Vincent! Und ich habe keine Angst” had its world premiere at Theater an der Wien. The family opera is based on a book by Enne Koens and composed by Gordon Kampe. In the title role, countertenor Alois Mühlbacher can be seen. “This is how opera for young audiences works!” (Der Kurier). “A thrilling and emotionally gripping 70 minutes!” (Die Presse). “Straight to the heart!” (Oberösterreichische Nachrichten).
August 2025
Out now: Book „Johannes Schmid“, edited by Prof. Stefanie Kreuzer
Unbelievable – now available in bookstores! One year ago, Johannes was awarded the Brothers Grimm Poetics Professorship 2024 by the University of Kassel, followed by an intensive week of lectures and reflections on his work. These events are now documented in a book published by Königshausen & Neumann. The volume features contributions by actress Odine Johne, cinematographer Michael Bertl, screenwriter Beate Völcker, film scholars Stefanie Kreuzer and Alexander Bareis, as well as film journalists Horst Peter Koll and Verena Schmöller. It also includes Johannes’s own reflections on 25 years of work as a film and stage director.
May 2025
New premiere „Ronja Räubertochter“ at Aalto-Musiktheater Essen
After its world premiere at Deutsche Oper am Rhein in 2015, and subsequent premieres at Oper Bonn and Oper Dortmund, Johannes‘ opera production „Ronja Räubertochter“ (by Jörn Arnecke, based on Astrid Lindgren) had its new premiere at the beautiful Aalto-Musiktheater in Essen. Wonderful to see this production come alive once more in one of Germany’s most exciting opera houses: „For two hours, the ensemble commands full attention and achieves in Essen what has worked with this production since its premiere in 2015 in Duisburg: making opera accessible to children and young people without distracting from the essence with shallow jokes or Disney-style pomp. The audience at the Aalto-Theater rewards this with minutes of applause.“ (WAZ, 26th of May 2025)
March 2025
FilmFernsehFond Bayern supports screenplay development of „Amals Kinder“
Wow! FFF Bayern decided to support the screenplay development of „Amals Kinder“ based on an idea by Andreas Nickl! Now Andreas and Johannes can write and develop this extraordinary drama film project—produced by Ingo Fließ and if…productions—over the next nine months. The story is about Amal, who has fled from Tunisia with her four-year-old daughter Iman. Since she has no chance of obtaining a residence permit, she lives in the shadows of the ‚undocumented‘ in the midst of Germany, without having applied for asylum, like over a hundred thousand others. She cleans for Albert and Pablo, who long for their own child. Surrogacy is illegal, but for Amal, it seems to open a path to legality, a future perspective for herself and her child. Can motherhood work as a business, especially since Albert and Pablo are unaware of Amal’s illegal status?
February 2025
Austrian Filminstitute (ÖFI) supports development of „Luna und Gini“
The Austrian Film Institute decided to support the project development of the coming-of-age film „Luna und Gini“ with 30,000 Euros. Written by Fritz Kalteis, the film by director Johannes Schmid will be produced by EPO-Film Vienna and Bavaria fiction Munich. The film tells the story of 14-year-old Gini. Because her parents cannot fulfill her dream of having her own horse, the bright village girl Gini trains her favorite cow, Luna, to ride and jump like a real horse. When she and her „jumping cow“ become famous overnight, not only is Gini’s friendship with Luna at stake, but also her relationship with her best friend Ally, who increasingly feels confined by village life.
January 2025
Swedish Filminstitute (SFI) supports development of two filmideas for children
Swedish Filminsitute (SFI) is supporting the development of ADAM, EVITA OCH ANDROIDERNA and SKOGSKAMPEN from idea to treatment. Two gripping storys about children in a quite too near future of a more cold and heartless society! Writers: Daniel Goldmann, Johannes Schmid (Comissioner: Janne Vierth).
September 2024
Broadcasting premiere of „Wir für immer“ on 11th of september, DAS ERSTE
On 11th of september 2024 „Wir für immer“ will have it’s broadcasting premiere at Germany public service ARD – DAS ERSTE, 8.15 p.m. Reprise on 12th of september at 0:15 a.m. More reprises on ONE on 15th of september, 8.15 p.m and 16th of september 11.25 p.m.
August 2024
Great reviews for TV-drama „Wir für immer“ by Johannes Schmid
„Outstandingly well-acted youth drama. A must-see.“ (Blickpunkt Film)
„Gripping Coming-of-age and family drama, sensibly directed by Johannes Schmid.“ (TV Tittelbach)
„Dark and emotional family story, heart-pounding!“ (TV Spielfilm)
„The dialektik of love, which especially for young people can feel wondful and horrible at the same time, transfers by this film extraordinary precisely and understandably in authentic fiction.“ (Teleschau Mediendienst)
„Sensible analysis of the big theme mental health, in a clear and minimalistic visual language. Impressive and empathetic directed Coming-of-age-drama!“ (Spot mediafilm)
June 2024
Johannes Schmid awarded with Grimm-Poetics-Professorship at University of Kassel
In summer semester 2024, Johannes holds the Kassel Grimm Poetics Professorship. During 4th until 6th of june Johannes teached a poetry lecture, a seminar and a film lecture at the Univeritiy of Kassel. With the Brothers Grimm Poetics Professorship, the Institute for German Studies at the University of Kassel annually honors important authors as well as playwrights and directors. In public events for students and interested citizens, the poetics professors reflect on artistic processes and their own texts, films or theater productions.
May 2024
„Wir für immer“ in competition at Filmfest Munich
So exciting! Johannes Schmid’s TV-drama „Wir für immer“ (Forever us) will be premiered at 5th of july 24 at Filmfestival Munich as part of the competition „New german televsion“.
January 2024
Upcoming festivals „Neue Geschichten vom Franz“
During the next months „Neue Geschichten vom Franz“ will be part of the festivals Max Ophüls Preis Saarbrücken (january), Diagonale Graz/Austria (april), Kristianand/Norway (april), Busan/Korea (july), Warsaw and Wrozlaw/Poland (september), Hongkong (september)
December 2023
TV broadcasting premiere „Geschichten vom Franz“
On 26th of december 23, prime time 8 p.m. Johannes‘ production „Geschichten vom Franz“ will have it’s broadcasting premiere on Austrian public service ORF 1.
October 2023
Opening night for „Kallocain“ at Folkteater Gävleborg (Sweden)
On 11th of october Johannes‘ production „Kallocain“ based on the famous dystopic novel by swedish author Karin Boye had it´s premiere at Folkteatern Gävleborg. Performances until 18th of november. Swedish „Arbetarbladet“ writes in it´s entusiastic review: „What a success for Folkteatern Gävleborg and Johannes Schmids stage direction of this dark and heavy novel. Impressively concentrated!“
September 2023
Cinema release „Neue Geschichten vom Franz“ in Austria, Germany and Switzerland
On 7th of september Wild Bunch Distribution releases „Neue Geschichten vom Franz“ in Germany and Austria in around 400 cinemas. Filmcoopi is doing the release for Switzerland.
August 2023
Rehearsals for „Kallocain“ by Karin Boye at Folkteater Gävleborg
These days Johannes is rehearsing for his newest stage production: the stage adaption of the famous swedish dystopic novel „Kallocain“ by Karin Boye. Premiere at Folkteater Gävle is on 11th of october 2023.
May 2023
Upcoming: World premiere „Neue Geschichten vom Franz“ at Filmfest Munich 23 and International premiere at Giffoni Film Festival
„Neue Geschichten vom Franz“ will have it’s world premiere at Filmfest Munich, on 25th of june 2023. After this the film will be part of the Elements +6-competition at one of Europes most important festival for children films, the Giffoni Film Festival in July 2023.
April 2023
Two main prizes for „Geschichten vom Franz“ at Indias biggest filmfestival for a young audiance
„Geschichten vom Franz“ was awarded with the CIFEJ-award and the prize of the filmcritics of Inda (FCCI-award) as the „Best Film“ at SIFFCY-FilmFestival in New Delhi.
April 2023
Shooting „Wir für immer“ in Cologne and northern Germany
On 13th of april Johannes Schmid started shooting the TV-drama „Wir für immer“ in Cologne and at the waterside in northern Germany. In the main roles in front of Michael Bertls camera eye you can find Marie Leuenberger, Philipp Günsch, Mina Giselle Rüffer and Stefan Maaß. A production of Lieblingsfilm Gmbh for WDR, based on the screenplay by Thomas Schmid/Johannes Schmid.
February 2023
„Geschichten vom Franz“ on Festivals in Malmö and Luxemburg
„Geschichten vom Franz“ (Tales of Franz) is part of the filmfestival Luxfilmfest in Luxembourg and will be screened 6th an 8th of march. Only a few days later (12/13th of march) the film will have its Sweden-premiere at BUFF – International Children Film Festival in Malmö. At BUFF „Tales of Franz“ is nominated as Best Comedy. So proud!
November 2022
„Geschichten vom Franz“ gets children jury award in Chicago
„Geschichten vom Franz“ (Tales of Franz) is awarded by the children jury with the 2nd prize „Best Live Action Feature Film“ at the International Children Film Festival in Chicago.
Oktober 2022
„Geschichten vom Franz“ gets main award „The Golden Goat“
„Geschichten vom Franz“ is awarded by the international jury with the main prize „The Golden Goat“ as Best Feature for Children at ALE KINO – International Film Festival for young Audiance in Poszan/Polen. The award goes to director Johannes Schmid.
September 2022
„Geschichten vom Franz“ gets the ChildrenFilmAward of the german Artouse-cinemas (Gildefilmpreis)
„Geschichten vom Franz“ is awarded with the Childrenfilmprize 2022 of the german Arthouse cinema association. The award goes to director Johannes Schmid, and to the distributor Wild Bunch.
September 2022
Shooting of „Neue Geschichten vom Franz“ in Vienna
Johannes is right now shooting the sequel „Neue Geschichten vom Franz“ (New Tales of Franz), a production by Nikolaus Geyrhalter Film Vienna and if…productions Munich, with support of Filmfonds Wien, Österreichisches Filminstitut and FilmFernsehFonds Bayern. In front of DoP Matthias Grunsky’s camera you find austrian stars like Uschi Strauss, Simon Schwarz, Maria Bill, Rainer Egger and Christoph Grissemann.
August 2022
Over 85.000 visitors in Austria and 4 nominations for Austrian Film Award „Romy“ for „Geschichten vom Franz“
„Geschichten vom Franz“, which is – with already over 85.000 visitors – one of the most successful films in Austria this year, is nominated for 4 Romy-Awards! Best Film Cinema, Best Director Cinema, Best Screenplay Cinema and Best Music. The award ceremony is on 16th of september in Vienna. Fingers crossed!
April 2022
Cinema Release „Geschichten vom Franz“
On 14th of april Johannes‘ family entertainment feature film „Geschichten vom Franz“ after the books of famous Christine Nöstlinger (screenplay: Sarah Wassermair), a austrian-german co-production by Nikolaus Geyrhalter Film Vienna and If-productions Munich had its release by Wild Bunch in cinemas all over Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
„Completly exhilarating cinema-experiance!“ (ORF.at)
„Adorable modern cinema-adaption!“ (TV movie)
„Great, cool, funny and beautiful film for the whole family.“ (BR radio)
July 2021
Shooting of „Geschichten vom Franz“ in Vienna
Johannes is right now shooting the family entertainment feature film „Geschichten vom Franz“ after the books of famous Christine Nöstlinger (screenplay: Sarah Wassermair), a austrian-german co-production by Nikolaus Geyrhalter Film Vienna and If-productions Munich with support of Filmfonds Wien and ÖFI. In front of DoP Matthias Grunskys cameraeye you will see great austrian actors like Simon Schwarz, Ursula Strauss, Maria Bill and Julia Edtmeier as well as the upcoming children actors Jossi Jantschisch, Nora Reidinger and Leo Wacha. Shooting in july and august on location in Vienna.
December 2020
Swedish Film Institute is supporting „Grace“
Very happy that Swedish Film Institute is supporting the screenplay development of „Grace“, a feature film based on Linn Ullmanns novel with the same name. Screenplay by Daniel Goldmann and Johannes Schmid. The film will be produced by Anagram Film Lund and Lieblingsfilm Munich as a swedish-german co-production.
November 2020
Live Streaming „Kohlhaas!“ at Teater Giljotin
After it´s premiere and only a few performances we had to cancel „Kohlhaas!“ for a while because of the pandemi. But we did a live-streaming via Abundo, which you can stream on Abundo.
Swedish press about „Kohlhaas“:
„Johannes Schmid is directing epic theatre without compromises!“ (Aftonbladet)
„Beautiful and disharming concept, which makes you even more sensible for the cruel deeds.“ (Svergies Television)
September 2020
Great reviews for „Cyrano de Bergerac“ at Malmö Stadsteater
Swedish press about „Cyrano“:
„Beautiful and uplifting“ (Svenska Dagbladet)
„Wonderful concept! A magical theatre evening!“ (Sveriges Radio P1)
September 2020
Rehearsals for „Cyrano de Bergerac“ at Malmö Stadsteater
These days Johannes is rehearsing for his newest stage production: classical „Cyrano de Bergerac“ is – in a meta-fictional conception – taking place in a library. Premiere at Malmö Stadsteaters big scen (Hipp) is on 19th of september.
June 2020
Residence at the Mankell house in Sveg/Sweden
In july 2020 Johannes is stipendiary for swedish „Dramatikerförbundet“ and can work and live in the house donated by Hennig Mankell in Sveg in northern sweden.
April 2020
Swedish „Kulturråd“ is supporting „Kohlhaas!“
After Swedish „Konstnärsnämnden“ is also Swedish „Kulturrådet“ supporting the stageprojekt „Kohlhaas!“ after Heinrich von Kleists novel. Stage Director: Johannes Schmid, produced by Ulrika Holmgaard (Scenit Produktion), premiere in november 2020 at Teater Giljotin in Stockholm.
Januar 2020
Johannes is guest lecturing at Teaterhögskola Malmö
In January Johannes is guestlectoring at Teaterhögskola Malmö. He is giving a 7 days workshop on „Practical research on Henri Bergson’s essay Laughter“ with the acting class.
June 2019
Trailers and more on VIMEO
Watch the trailers to Johannes Schmids films and stage productions on VIMEO!
April 2019
Upcoming: Lecture about sounddesign
In may and june 2019 is Johannes lecturing about „Narrative possibilites for sounddesign in feature films“ at the Institute for Media Sciences at the University of Constance.
November 2018
Premiere „Paranoid Park“
Johannes stage production „Paranoid Park“, after his own adaptation for the stage of the novel by Blake Nelson, had it’s premiere on 22nd of november. The production is on stage until end of january 2019 at Malmö Stadsteater.
September 2018
Residence at Ingmar Bergmans Estate
In August 2018 Johannes Schmid could stay and work for two weeks at the Ingmar Bergmans Estate on Fårö, to develop film ideas! How inspiring!