The fellowship was endowed by Berlin-based stage and film designer Jan Schlubach (1920–2006) in honour of scenographer Alfred Hirschmeier (1931–1996), a member of the Film and Media Arts Section. Hirschmeier was one of the most important film scenographers in the GDR. He designed around 65 sets for DEFA feature films and around a dozen sets for theatre productions. He worked with renowned directors such as Konrad Wolf, Rainer Simon, Roland Gräf and Frank Beyer.

Jan Schlubach initially financed the fellowship from his own funds for Ariunsaichan (Agi) Dawaachu, who had been studying under Alfred Hirschmeier at the Filmhochschule Konrad Wolf (now Filmuniversität Babelsberg Konrad Wolf). He awarded travel grants to student scenographers and bequeathed funds from his estate to continue the fellowship. After Jan Schlubach’s death, his legatees chose to rename the fellowship the Schlubach-Hirschmeier Fellowship.

The Akademie has awarded the fellowship to talented young film scenographers since 1997. Members of the Film and Media Arts Section select the fellows and mentor them throughout the fellowship. Applicants may not apply on their own initiative.

Fellows

Fellows since 1997

2017
Nadine Schmidt

2008
Michael Birn

1997
Agi Dawaachu